By Adedapo Adesanya

The board of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc has appointed its Independent Non-Executive Director, Mr Arnold Ekpe, as the new chairman following the retirement of Mr Aliko Dangote as the head of the company after 20 years.

A statement from the organisation on Thursday disclosed that the retirement of the founder of the company takes effect from Monday, June 16, 2025.

The notice signed by the company’s secretary, Ms Temitope Hassan, revealed that Mr Dangote, who is the richest man in Africa, has been at the helm of his sugar business leadership since 2005.

The businessman is credited with steering Dangote Sugar into a market leader in Nigeria’s sugar industry, overseeing major expansion projects and strengthening corporate governance.

“In line with the principles of good corporate governance and succession planning, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc hereby announces the retirement of our esteemed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (GCON), effective June 16, 2025,” the statement read.

Mr Dangote owns stakes in businesses, including food, cement, energy, and plastics among others.

The statement noted that under his leadership, the firm implemented key Backward Integration Projects in Adamawa, Taraba, and Nasarawa States to improve local sugar production and reduce import dependence.

“Following a rigorous selection and transition process, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Arnold Ekpe, Independent Non-Executive Director as the new Chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. effective 16th June 2025,” the statement added.

Mr Ekpe is a seasoned banker and former group CEO of Ecobank, with extensive boardroom and leadership experience across sectors.

“We welcome Mr Ekpe to his new role and look forward to the next chapter in our Company’s journey under his leadership. We also express our deep appreciation to Aliko Dangote for his years of exemplary service and unwavering commitment to excellence,” the statement concluded.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has been elected into the executive council of Business Africa.

The platform is the leading continental voice of employers and private sector organisations across Africa, with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

It serves as a vital platform for promoting private sector development and regional business integration, while also representing African business interests at regional and international forums, including the African Union (AU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The group is also the umbrella organization representing the interests of the private sector in Africa, serving as a key platform for dialogue between African businesses, governments, and international partners, advocating for policies that promote economic growth, regional integration, and sustainable development.

At the General Assembly of Business Africa on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, Mr Oyerinde promised to foster Africa’s economic growth and regional integration.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to be elected to the Executive Council of Business Africa. This is a critical time for Africa’s economic trajectory, and I am eager to contribute to an organization that is so dedicated to empowering our continent’s businesses and unlocking its immense potential.

“I look forward to collaborating with fellow council members to advance policies that foster innovation, attract investment, and create widespread and inclusive prosperity,” the Nigerian stated.

Mr Oyerinde brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in private sector advocacy, business linkages, sustainable development, digital transformation, regional economic cooperation, investment/trade promotions and leading initiatives focused on empowering SMEs across the continent.

He joins a distinguished group of business leaders from across the continent, that are providing strategic oversight to Business Africa’s efforts in promoting sustainable enterprise development, decent work, job creation, competitive business landscape and economic integration and renaissance across Africa.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Mr Ayo Adepoju, has been appointed to the company’s board as an executive directive.

A statement from the financial institution disclosed that the appointment became effective Wednesday, June 4, 2025, with the appointee bringing to the board two decades of broad-based leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge as a proud product of the organisation.

Mr Adepoju joined Ecobank in 2012 and earlier worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in London and Lagos, serving in the Financial Services Practice.

His expertise spans financial management, capital markets, strategic planning, capital raising and structuring, treasury management, investor relations, business performance management, governance, enterprise transformation, financial due diligence, internal control, and risk-based audit.

As a distinguished finance executive, the first class graduate of UNILAG has been instrumental in shaping the group’s financial transformation, capital strategy, and long-term resilience. He has also led numerous strategic initiatives, including landmark capital market transactions such as Eurobonds, Basel III-compliant instruments, and sustainability-linked debt

The new board member has held several key leadership positions, including Group Financial Controller, Group Head of Business Performance and Analytics, and currently Group CFO.

“On behalf of my fellow directors, I commend Ayo for his outstanding performance and warmly welcome him to the ETI board.

His proven leadership has fostered trusted relationships with the board and made this appointment both natural and strategic for the group’s future.

“I believe that Ayo embodies Ecobank’s renewed talent philosophy, a homegrown leader with global exposure and a compelling track record. His intellect, integrity, and impact-driven leadership have long been evident.

“His appointment to the board is a testament to our belief in recognizing and elevating excellence from within,” the chairman of Ecobank, Mr Papa Madiaw Ndiaye, stated.

The chief executive of the firm, Mr Jeremy Awori, on his part, said, “Ayo has played a critical role in strengthening Ecobank’s financial resilience and enabling sustainable business growth.

“His ability to manage complexity, innovate in financial strategy, align finance with enterprise-wide transformation, and lead collaboratively has made him a critical member of our executive team.

“I look forward to deepening our partnership as we drive forward our Growth, Transformation and Returns strategy.”