Jobs/Appointments
AXA Mansard Tasks Business Leaders on Enabling Environment for Multigenerational Workforce, Others
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Business leaders and managers have been charged to create the right environment for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), technology adoption, and a multigenerational workforce to thrive.
The chief executive of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Ms Rashidat Adebisi, at a chat with the members of the Society for Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), the female arm of the Institute of Chartered Account of Nigeria (ICAN), said among other evolving workplace trends of the 21st century, these factors would redefine how organizations operate and perform.
According to her, business leaders must pay close attention to these trends, embrace them and create environments where they can enable productivity.
She warned that companies that fail to integrate the changes brought about by new workforce trends risk falling behind in today’s increasingly competitive and digital economy.
Ms Adebisi said the importance of a diverse, equitable, included workforce cannot be overstated, noting that in Nigeria and worldwide, women remain underrepresented in executive roles, with women occupying only 24 per cent of directors’ seats on the top 30 capitalized companies on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, according to a March 2021 report by KPMG.
She stressed the need for organizations to go beyond token representation and implement policies supporting women’s advancement into leadership roles.
Additionally, she noted that issues such as ageism, BSc-HND discrimination, and accessibility for professionals with disabilities continue to create barriers for talented individuals.
She urged organizations to develop systems to eliminate these biases, focus on competency-based hiring, and foster inclusive work environments that empower employees of all backgrounds.
On the importance of a multigenerational workforce, Ms Adebisi noted that today’s workforce now spans four generations, from Baby Boomers to Generation Z, making it more diverse than ever before.
“Each generation brings unique strengths. Baby Boomers and Generation X offer experience, while Millennials and Gen Z drive digital innovation and agility,” she said.
The insurance practitioner explained that businesses must intentionally create structures that allow these generations to collaborate effectively so the organizations can harness the opportunities for higher productivity and better problem-solving outcomes.
“Despite the opportunities, many companies still struggle with the generational divides in communication, belongingness, and work styles and expectations.
“Technology remains a major driver of workplace evolution. The adoption of AI, automation, blockchain, and cloud computing is reshaping industries, from accounting to insurance and other sectors.
“No matter how small, one can hardly think about a business not investing in digital transformation today. Yet many employees of these organizations lack the skills to fully leverage these advancements for personal and business growth,” she stated.
Ms Adebisi emphasized that business leaders must prioritize upskilling and digital literacy programs to ensure their workforce is equipped to navigate the new era technology has brought to the workplace.
She cited examples of how FinTech and digital accounting solutions are revolutionizing financial management, allowing accountants and business leaders to make data-driven decisions faster and more accurately, saying, “Every industry is going through a similar journey to do things faster, cheaper, and better with technology.”
She explained that while these technology trends are placing new demands on every facet of the workplace, leaders have a higher responsibility of not just investing in talent and skill development but also creating an environment that can unlock the opportunities that technology brings to business operations.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In line with the 12-year tenure prescribed for non-executive directors of banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Tony Elumelu will on August 21, 2026, cease to be chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.
The board of the financial institution at its meeting on July 6, 2026, has elected Mr Emmanuel Nnorom as the new chairman.
In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the lender said Mr Elumelu’s successor, a non-executive director of the company, will assume the new role on August 21, 2026.
Mr Nnorom is a chartered accountant with over 40 years of experience in banking, finance and audit. He brings to the role extensive leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge of UBA.
“I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and deeply conscious of the legacy I inherit.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, management and our staff across all our markets to sustain UBA’s momentum and continue delivering long-term value to our shareholders, customers and stakeholders,” Mr Nnorom stated.
Commenting on his retirement, Mr Elumelu said, “Serving United Bank for Africa has been one of the great privileges of my career.
“UBA has a unique competitive position, across Africa and globally, and I leave the Board with great confidence in UBA’s future.
“Emmanuel Nnorom is a leader of integrity, experience and sound judgement, and I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
The board thanked him for his visionary leadership and exceptional contribution to the growth, transformation and institutional strength of the UBA Group.
By Adedapo Adesanya
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mr Courage Obadagbonyi as Managing Director, effective July 1, 2026, succeeding Mr Jeethu Jose and becoming the first Nigerian to hold the post.
The appointment reflects the organisation’s continued focus on developing strong leadership from within its global talent pool while ensuring sustained growth and operational excellence.
A seasoned executive with more than two decades of international experience, Mr Obadagbonyi has held leadership roles across finance, operations and general management at leading global organisations, including APM Terminals, General Electric and Lafarge.
Prior to this appointment, he served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the APM Terminals Nigeria cluster, with responsibility for financial strategy across Nigeria and San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire.
He also served in an acting capacity as Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa between 2025 and March 2026, further strengthening his operational leadership experience.
With experience spanning sectors such as oil and gas, power generation, logistics and healthcare, Mr Obadagbonyi brings deep expertise in financial management, risk optimisation and business performance.
Speaking on his appointment, he said, “I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place at WACT. The terminal plays a critical role in connecting businesses in Eastern Nigeria to global markets, and we will continue to focus on safe, reliable and efficient operations.”
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr Frederik Klinke, noted that the appointment reflects the company’s commitment to leadership development and long-term growth.
“Across APM Terminals globally, we see strong collaboration and talent development across our teams. This appointment reflects the depth of experience within our organisation and our continued focus on building capabilities that support sustainable growth. Nigerians have continued to distinguish themselves through exceptional performance and leadership. Colleagues from our Apapa and Onne terminals have contributed their expertise internationally while also bringing back valuable best practices to strengthen operations in Nigeria.”
He added that Mr Obadagbonyi’s experience would support the next phase of operational excellence and value delivery at WACT.
The outgoing MD, Mr Jose, said, “It has been a privilege to lead WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria during a period of meaningful progress. The team has built a strong platform for the future, and I am confident in the continued success of the organisation.”
West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals in Onne, Rivers State, is one of Nigeria’s leading container terminals, having commenced commercial operations in 2006.
The company has continued to invest in capacity expansion and modernisation, including a $115 million terminal upgrade project launched in 2020. The upgrade also includes the deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity, as well as the expansion of the existing yard, a new workshop, a new terminal auto gate, modernised offices and state-of-the-art technology. These investments have enhanced efficiency, strengthened service delivery and reinforced WACT’s role as an important gateway for trade beyond Lagos.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A new member has joined the board of Unilever Nigeria Plc, and she is Mrs Modupe Femi-Okunbanjo, who was appointed as an executive director of the organisation.
Her appointment, according to a statement from the company, is effective June 30, 2026. It followed the resignation of Mr Ibrahim Sodipe as an executive director of the firm with effect from June 30, 2026.
Mr Sodipe was praised for his valuable service and significant contributions to the entity, particularly in driving improved turnover and profitability and supporting Unilever Nigeria’s continued progress towards sustainable and profitable growth.
Mrs Femi-Okunbanjo was described as an accomplished finance and governance leader who, for more than 15 years, has steered finance teams, shaped strategy, and strengthened risk management frameworks in the fast-moving consumer goods and telecommunications sectors.
She is currently the Financial Controller of Nigeria and Regional Controls Lead for West Africa at Unilever Nigeria, where she oversees financial governance, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management.
Her work has been pivotal in embedding ethical leadership and data-driven decision-making at board level, while ensuring organisations remain resilient in the face of shifting market dynamics.
The new board member has established a reputation for elevating financial reporting, advancing audit excellence, and strengthening governance frameworks, thereby positioning organisations for sustainable growth and long-term value creation.
In her previous roles, she has a consistent track record of delivering margin expansion, enhancing governance & control environments, and leading transformation in challenging macroeconomic conditions.
She is equally committed to developing future talent and advancing financial literacy among younger generations.
Prior to her joining Unilever Nigeria Plc in 2018, Mrs Femi-Okunbanjo held key roles at UAC of Nigeria Plc, Helios Towers Nigeria, and Makasa Sun Nigeria Limited, where she pioneered control frameworks from the ground up, eliminating revenue leakages, digitising operations and embedding financial discipline.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Lagos State University and an MBA with Specialisation in Strategy from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, UK.
