Unilever Nigeria Plc has announced major changes to its leadership team following resolutions passed at its Board of Directors meeting on November 29, 2024.
The board considered and approved Mr. Tim Kleinebenne’s resignation as the Managing Director effective December 31, 2024.
On the recommendation of the Governance, Remuneration, and Risk Committee, the Board approved the appointment of Mr Oluwatobi Adeniyi as the new Managing Director, while Mrs Umma Yusuf Aboki was appointed as the Company’s director effective January 1, 2025.
Mr Adeniyi began his career as a Unilever Future Leader in 2009. He has amassed a wealth of experience across multiple facets of the Supply Chain (strategic & operational) and Commercial operations.
His expertise spans Logistics, Planning, Strategic Supply Chain, Procurement, and Sales, with assignments that have taken him across diverse markets, including Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Most recently, he has driven Unilever Nigeria’s sales transformation agenda, delivering impactful results through strategic initiatives nationwide. He serves as the current vice Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG) and is a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD).
Bolaji Balogun, Chairman of Unilever Nigeria Plc, said, “On behalf of the Board of Directors and everyone at Unilever Nigeria, I am delighted to congratulate Mr. Tobi Adeniyi on his appointment as Managing Director Designate. Mr Adeniyi’s extensive experience and exceptional leadership skills make him an outstanding choice at this time to lead us into a bright and even more successful future.
‘’We are confident that under his leadership, Unilever Nigeria Plc will continue to flourish and achieve greater heights. I thank Mr. Tim Kleinebenne, the outgoing Managing Director, for his leadership and service to Unilever Nigeria’s growth and success.”
Similarly, Ben Langat, Executive Vice President of Unilever East and West Africa, said, “I am pleased that we are implementing this transition, which aligns with our robust succession planning initiative at Unilever. Tobi has a deep connection and understanding of the Nigerian market terrain and his extensive background; his experience will be valuable towards the journey ahead for the business.”
Mrs Umma Yusuf Aboki is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of diverse experience across the public and private sectors, specialising in banking, investment promotion, and public-private partnerships (PPP).
She has a proven track record of driving economic growth, fostering strategic alliances, and managing high-value client portfolios. Her extensive banking experience includes roles at Guaranty Trust Bank, Sterling Bank, and Habib Nigeria Bank.
She possesses expertise in financial management, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and delivering tailored banking solutions that drive profitability and enhance client satisfaction.
She was the Executive Secretary/CEO at the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) and was Commissioner for Planning and Budgeting in Kaduna State (April 2022 – May 2023). She is a member of some professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Bankers, the Institute of Chartered Economists in Nigeria, and the Institute of Islamic Banking & Insurance, London. She has attended various Management and professional courses.
The Board of Directors wishes Mr. Kleinebenne all the best in his future career and expresses its sincere gratitude to him for his outstanding work, which delivered significant rises in turnover and profit and set Unilever Nigeria on a path to sustainable and profitable growth.
