The announcement was disclosed in a regulatory filing with the Nigerian Exchange Group on March 26, 2025, and signed by Company Secretary, Peter Dada. According to the statement, Ogunlesi's appointment took effect on March 24, 2025.
Expressing confidence in her leadership, the board stated, “The Board extends a warm welcome to Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi and wishes her every success in her new role.”
Unilever Nigeria’s Board Composition
With Ogunlesi’s appointment, the current board structure is as follows:
- Chairman & Independent Non-Executive Director: Mr. Bolaji Balogun
- Managing Director: Mr. Tobi Adeniyi
- Executive Directors: Mrs. Folake Ogundipe, Mr. Obinna Emenyonu
- Non-Executive Directors: Mr. Ben Langat, Mr. Chika Nwobi
- Independent Non-Executive Directors: Mr. Michael Ikpoki, Ms. Ngozi Edozien, Mrs. Umma Yusuf Aboki, and Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi
Adenike Ogunlesi’s Background and Expertise
Ogunlesi is the founder and Chief Responsibility Officer of Gatimo Limited, the parent company of the renowned children’s fashion brand Ruff ‘n’ Tumble.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and garment manufacturing, she has introduced innovative retail practices and built a strong reputation in the fashion industry.
Her educational background includes studies at IE Business School, Lagos Business School, and the Gordon Institute of Business Science, where she specialized in corporate governance, strategic leadership, and retail management.
Beyond her business endeavors, Ogunlesi is a strong advocate for women entrepreneurs. She is the founding president of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), which provides mentorship and funding opportunities to female business owners.
She also serves on the boards of Lafarge Holcim Plc and the Enterprise Development Centre at Lagos Business School, where she contributes to discussions on policy and governance. Additionally, Ogunlesi is a certified Family and Life Systems Coach and Neuro-Linguistic Programming practitioner, frequently speaking on entrepreneurship and leadership.
Unilever’s Financial Performance
Unilever Nigeria Plc recently released its unaudited financial report for the twelve months ending December 31, 2024, showing strong growth:
- Turnover: ₦149.8 billion, a 44% increase from ₦103.9 billion in 2023
- Gross Profit: ₦55.7 billion, a 75% rise from ₦31.9 billion in the previous year
Commenting on the results, Managing Director Tobi Adeniyi stated:
"Our year-on-year sustained growth trajectory is a testament to our commitment to serving consumers with our best brands to meet their daily needs."