Unilever Nigeria appoints Uchenna Nwakanma as Executive Director
His appointment is seen as a strategic step toward reinforcing Unilever Nigeria’s leadership in the competitive FMCG landscape.
NIGERIA – Unilever Nigeria PLC has appointed Mr. Uchenna Nwakanma as an Executive Director of its Board, effective November 13, 2025.
The announcement was made in an official filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and communicated to the investing public, highlighting the company’s confidence in Nwakanma’s leadership and expertise.
Mr. Uchenna Nwakanma is an accomplished Research & Development (R&D) business leader with over 20 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods sector, particularly in Africa.
He holds an MBA in General Management and is an Industrial Chemist, as well as a member of the Chartered Institute of Chemists of Nigeria.
Before joining Unilever Nigeria as Executive Director, Nwakanma served as the R&D Director for Unilever’s Personal Care category across the Africa cluster, overseeing R&D strategy and project delivery in multiple African markets.
His background also includes leadership roles at PZ Cussons and Reckitt Benkiser, where he was instrumental in driving innovation and capability development.
Nwakanma’s appointment is expected to deepen Unilever Nigeria’s focus on product innovation, technical excellence, and local sourcing initiatives.
His involvement in industry bodies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria demonstrates his commitment to quality standards, regulatory alignment, and workforce development.
The Unilever Nigeria board now comprises ten members, led by Chairman Bolaji Balogun and Managing Director Tobi Adeniyi, with Nwakanma’s addition strengthening the board’s technical and strategic perspective.
The move signals Unilever Nigeria’s intent to balance market expansion with robust governance, consumer insight, and technical precision.
Nwakanma’s expertise is poised to elevate product development, operational efficiency, and regulatory responsiveness, aligning with the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, local impact, and innovation-driven growth.
This appointment comes after Unilever Nigeria Plc recently announced the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Sodipe as Executive Director, effective July 1, 2025.
According to the company, Ibrahim will help shape the business strategy and portfolio expansion.
Sodipe brings over 13 years of diverse experience spanning financial reporting, internal controls, supply chain finance, forecasting and planning, commercial finance, and global audit.
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