By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the most reputable rating agencies in Africa, GCR Ratings, has appointed Mr Saul Sassoon as its interim group chief executive.

In a statement on Friday, it was disclosed that Mr Sassoon will be in charge of the organisation after the exit of Mr Marc Joffe at the end of this month.

Mr Joffe is stepping down from the role after 25 years with the company, having joined GCR in 2001.

Over the past two decades, he has overseen the firm’s transformation into Africa’s leading credit rating agency, recognised for its deep market expertise and commitment to strengthening financial markets across the continent.

His tenure included landmark achievements such as the sale of GCR to Moody’s Corporation, positioning the company for sustainable long-term growth across Africa.

“Leading GCR Ratings has been a privilege. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a truly pan-African rating agency.

“I step down with profound gratitude, respect, and lasting appreciation for the trust, support, and collaboration of colleagues and stakeholders throughout this journey, and am confident in GCR’s future,” he stated.

The board thanked him for his exceptional leadership and vision, noting his role in building GCR’s reputation as the undisputed leader in African credit ratings.

It also welcomed the interim CEO into his new role, expressing confidence in his ability to guide the organisation through this transition period.

Mr Sassoon, who before his appointment served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the organisation, is expected to drive GCR’s growth, extensive capital markets expertise, and deep relationships with its customers and investors during this transition period.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The immediate past Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Lamido Yuguda, has been nominated as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The nomination was made by President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.

His name would be sent to the Senate for confirmation in compliance with a section of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

He is replacing Mr Bala Bello, who was recently appointed as the Special Adviser to the President on Political Economy.

Mr Lamido was in charge of the apex capital market regulatory body in Nigeria from 2020 to 2024. He was replaced by Mr Emomotimi Agama.

He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, where he graduated in 1983 with a B.Sc. in Accountancy. In 1991, he obtained a master’s degree in Money, Banking and Finance from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a CFA charterholder.

The nominee began his career in 1984 at the CBN as a Senior Supervisor in the Foreign Operations Department.

He also worked as an economist in the Africa Department of the International Monetary Fund from 1997 to 2001, when he returned to the CBN. He retired from the CBN in 2016, after serving as Director of the Reserve Management Department for six years.

President Tinubu has charged Mr Yuguda and his predecessor to discharge their responsibilities with renewed dedication, professionalism, and commitment to Nigeria’s economic stability and growth, in their respective roles.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The chief executive of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Thibaut Boidin, has been appointed as the chairman of the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).

In his new role, Mr Boidin will collaborate closely with the board of CEOs to provide strategic leadership for the group to advance critical industry priorities, including shaping sustainable category growth, advocating for commercial freedom through balanced and growth-oriented fiscal policies, and strengthening the differentiation and long-term competitiveness of beer within Nigeria’s beverages market.

He succeeds Mr Carlos Coutino. His appointment, according to a statement, became effective Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Mr Boidin brings extensive international leadership experience across nine countries to the BSG Chairmanship. He joined the HEINEKEN Group in 2017 as Deputy Managing Director of France Boissons (HEINEKEN largest integrated Distributor) and went to on to hold Chief Transformation Officer roles in HENIKEN France and HEINEKEN Europe.

Most recently, he served as Managing Director of HEINEKEN Romania, one of the group’s largest operations in Eastern Europe, before being appointed the chief executive of Nigerian Breweries Plc.

Prior to joining HEINEKEN, Mr Boidin served as an officer in the French Armed Forces across various continents, before transitioning to the corporate sector where he held senior executive and Managing Director roles at leading French organisations, including Elis and Veolia.

“I am honoured by the confidence reposed in me by my industry peers. With over three million jobs in the value chain, the beer sector has a critical role to play in Nigeria’s manufacturing and economic ecosystem through investment, local value creation, responsible consumption, and sustainable contribution to government revenue.

“As Chairman of the Beer Sectoral Group, my focus is to work closely with MAN, government and stakeholders to unlock category growth, enable fair competition, and support a predictable fiscal environment in which legitimate manufacturers can thrive,” Mr Boidin commented on his appointment.