Cadbury Nigeria Plc has announced the appointment of Dr. Rasaq Adedoyin Salami and Hisham Ezz El Arab to its Board of Directors, strengthening its corporate governance and strategic leadership.
The appointments, which took effect on March 26, 2026, were disclosed in a filing with the Nigerian Exchange. Dr. Salami joins as an Independent Non-Executive Director, while Hisham Ezz El Arab assumes the role of Non-Executive Director.
These changes follow the resignation of Abhiroop Chuckarbutty from the board, effective the same date.
Strengthening Board Expertise
The new appointments bring significant experience across economics, corporate governance, and global FMCG operations.
Rasaq Adedoyin Salami is an economist with over three decades of experience spanning academia, public policy, and consulting. He previously served as Chief Economic Adviser to former President Muhammadu Buhari and chaired the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
He is also the CEO of KAINOS Edge Consulting and has worked with global institutions such as the World Bank, IMF advisory groups, and development agencies including USAID and DFID.
Global FMCG Leadership Added
Hisham Ezz El Arab brings over 30 years of international experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. He currently serves as Business Unit President for Sub-Saharan Africa at Mondelēz International and previously held senior leadership roles at Danone and Procter & Gamble.
His expertise includes driving business growth, operational transformation, and market expansion across multiple regions.
Board Composition and Governance Context
Cadbury Nigeria stated that the appointments are part of efforts to strengthen its board structure and governance framework. The company’s board is chaired by Adedotun Sulaiman, with Folake Ogundipe serving as Interim Managing Director. Other board members include Ibukun Awosika, Kofo Akinkugbe, Olubunmi Lawson, and Sree Patel.
Strategic Implications
The addition of both a seasoned economist and a global FMCG executive signals a strategic move to:
- Enhance corporate governance and oversight
- Strengthen economic and policy advisory capacity
- Drive operational and market growth across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa
The appointments come at a time when consumer goods companies are navigating macroeconomic pressures, currency volatility, and evolving consumer demand in Nigeria.
Outlook for Cadbury Nigeria
With expanded board expertise, Cadbury Nigeria is positioned to better navigate economic challenges while leveraging global best practices in corporate strategy and operations.
The move also reflects a broader trend among Nigerian listed companies to reinforce governance structures and attract experienced global talent to their boards.
