By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Mr Abdallah Simba has been chosen to lead the operations of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in Nigeria effective Thursday, May 1, 2025, succeeding Mr Thomas Adams, who has led the Nigerian business successfully over the past four years.

The new General Manager of the organisation in Nigeria recently served as the Country Manager for Slovakia, where he successfully led profitable multicategory growth and operational strengthening, positioning the business for long-term sustainability.

A statement from the tobacco firm said Mr Simba’s appointment underscores its commitment and ambition to deepen its footprint in the Nigerian market.

“I am delighted to lead JTI Nigeria at this time. Nigeria is an important market with tremendous potential, and I look forward to working with the amazing team here to continue to grow our business in a sustainable manner,” Mr Simba said of his new role.

Mr Simba brings nearly two decades of commercial and strategic leadership experience to the role, having held key positions across multiple markets and at JTI’s global headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

He joined JTI in Tanzania in 2005 in Marketing before taking on an international assignment in Ireland in 2009. He later transitioned into broader commercial roles, leading various Sales and Trade Marketing capabilities with increasing responsibility.

In 2013, Mr Simba moved to JTI’s global headquarters in Geneva, where he progressed into senior roles within the Global Commercial Strategy function.

In these roles, he led the optimization of business models, guided market strategies, and up-skilled commercial teams across a wide range of markets.

The new General Manager for Nigeria holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern New Hampshire University in International Business.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The outsourcing industry in Nigeria could grow more than $1.8 billion by 2028 from the $980 million it recorded in 2023, stakeholders in the sector have projected.

However, despite recording an impressive annual growth rate of 12.56 per cent, the sector is weighed down by financial inefficiencies.

This was one of the reasons critical players in the landscape brainstormed recently in Lagos to on payroll solutions for sustainable growth.

The gathering was called by a leading human resource and payroll technology company, SeamlessHR, in partnership with the Association of Outsourcing Professionals of Nigeria (AOPN).

More than 30 chief executives of Nigeria’s top outsourcing companies gathered at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos, on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, for the event themed Enhance Business Efficiency Through Automation and Immersive Workflows.

They agreed that thin margins, inconsistent client payments, and outdated payroll systems have created conditions where salary delays are frequent and talent attrition is on the rise.

Across the industry, many workers now view delayed wage disbursements as normal, with employees often waiting weeks or even months to be paid. For outsourcing firms, the consequences extend beyond cash flow.

Delayed salaries damage brand perception, undermine operational efficiency, and threaten long-term growth. The urgency for innovation in payroll and financial operations has never been greater.

Another key focus of the discussion was the transformative impact of SeamlessHR’s Embedded FInance for employers and employees.

SeamlessHR’s solution enables workers to access earned wages on-demand, bypassing the traditional pay cycle. Through seamless integration with payroll systems, employees can withdraw accrued earnings in real-time to address emergencies or manage cash flow gaps.

Additionally, low-interest salary advances and built-in financial tools empower staff to avoid exploitative lenders and plan their finances with confidence.

“Outsourcing companies face daily liquidity issues, irregular cash flow, and growing payroll obligations.

“SeamlessHR’s Embedded Finance closes that gap by integrating capital into the payroll system to ensure people get paid on time, operations run seamlessly, and CEOs sleep better at night.

“When employees no longer stress about delayed salaries, their engagement and output improves dramatically,” the Director of Embedded Finance at SeamlessHR, Oke Egbi, stated.

Also commenting, the president of AOPN, Mope Abudu, said, “This roundtable addresses a critical challenge in our industry. As key contributors to Nigeria’s economy, we cannot afford to be left behind in the wave of digital transformation shaping the future of work.

“The outsourcing sector must lead in efficiency and innovation, and the integration of intelligent systems that support workforce management.

“Today’s theme speaks directly to that need. By exploring solutions like embedded finance, we open new opportunities to enhance value delivery and improve operational efficiency across our industry. I extend my gratitude to SeamlessHR for bringing this event to life.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has appointed Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as the Chairman of its board of Directors, succeeding Mr Emeka Emuwa, who completed his 12 years of service to the financer.

She brings over three decades of experience in the banking and financial services industry across Nigeria, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Mrs Samuel-Ogbu has extensive boardroom experience, including Citibank Nigeria, where she was a Non-Executive Director for six years and Chair of the Risk Committee prior to becoming the Managing Director.

She also served on the board of CHAPS Clearing UK, the high-value payment system now operated by the Bank of England and a UK-based charity, Opportunity International.

Her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to the advancement of Africa make her an asset to AFC at a time when the corporation is more committed than ever to accelerating Africa’s transformation through bold investments, innovative financing models and catalytic partnerships.

Her international career within Citibank included senior leadership roles across over 50 countries in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, during which time she worked in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Speaking on the appointment, Mr Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Chair of the Board. Her wealth of experience, visionary leadership and deep understanding of Africa’s financial landscape will be invaluable as we navigate our next phase of growth- expanding our impact, mobilising urgently needed capital and delivering transformative projects that enable inclusive and sustainable prosperity across the continent.”

Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu commented: “I am honoured to take on the role of Chair at AFC, an institution that serves as a trusted bridge between international capital and Africa’s dynamic growth opportunities.

“I look forward to working closely with the board, management, and all stakeholders to advance the Corporation’s mission and strengthen its role as the leading provider of strategic, investment-driven solutions that unlock Africa’s full economic potential.”

Established in 2007, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), is the continent’s leading instrumental infrastructure solutions provider, supporting significant infrastructural and sectoral projects that can enhance the productivity and competitiveness of African economies. It achieved a total increase of $1.1 billion in its 2024 financial year performance, a 22.8 per cent increase from the previous financial year.