Meet the CEOs Powering Nigeria’s Top Consumer Goods Stocks of 2025

Nigeria’s consumer goods sector demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2025 despite inflationary pressures, currency volatility, and declining consumer purchasing power.

Share prices of these leading consumer good firms surged between 118% and 398%, underscoring investor confidence in the sector’s fundamentals.

Spanning food, beverages, personal care, and household products, these companies cater to the diverse needs of Nigeria’s over 220 million people.

At the heart of this growth are the CEOs and MDs who steered their organizations through turbulence, driving innovation, operational efficiency, and shareholder value.

The management teams of these firms transformed household names into attractive investment opportunities, reinforcing the sector’s role as one of the strongest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP.

Tobi Adeniyi assumed the role of Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc on January 1, 2025, bringing with him over 15 years of progressive experience within Unilever and across global markets.

His appointment marked a new chapter for the multinational’s Nigerian subsidiary, as he sought to stabilize margins and improve operational efficiency in a challenging consumer environment.

Under his leadership, Unilever Nigeria’s stock rose 118.51%, climbing from N32.95 to N72. This performance reflected improved investor sentiment around disciplined cost management and margin stabilization, both of which became hallmarks of Adeniyi’s tenure.

His ability to balance global best practices with local market realities positioned Unilever Nigeria as a resilient player in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.

Adeniyi’s career began in 2009 as a Unilever Future Leader, where he gained exposure across multiple facets of supply chain management and commercial operations. His assignments took him to diverse markets including Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia, providing him with significant international experience and operational insight. These global postings shaped his approach to leadership, emphasizing adaptability and efficiency.

Before becoming MD, Adeniyi served as National Sales Director, overseeing Unilever Nigeria’s entire sales organization of over 1,000 employees and its distributor network. He also held the role of Customer Supply Chain Director for West Africa, where he strengthened supply chain efficiency and resilience across the region. His academic background includes an Executive MBA from Warwick Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

9. Wassim Elhusseini– CEO, Nestlé Nigeria Plc 

Wassim Elhusseini has been the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc since September 2020.

Under his leadership, Nestlé Nigeria delivered a 123.77% gain in 2025, with its share price rising from N875 to N1,958. The rally underscored investor preference for fundamentally strong consumer names with pricing power, strong brands, and earnings visibility.

Elhusseini’s career with Nestlé spans more than two decades, beginning in 2002 as Channel Category Sales Development Manager for Coffee & Creamers in Kuwait. His rise through the ranks was marked by strategic leadership roles across the Middle East, including heading the CCSD unit at Nestlé Middle East in 2015 and later serving as Sales Director for the region. These roles tested his ability to manage scale and complexity across diverse markets.

By 2020, Elhusseini was appointed Country Manager and Sales Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), overseeing operations across 16 countries. His success in this role paved the way for his appointment as CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, where he has focused on strengthening brand equity, expanding product reach, and maintaining earnings visibility despite macroeconomic challenges.

Before joining Nestlé, Elhusseini worked with Transmed as a Sales Account Executive between 1997 and 2001, honing his commercial acumen in a competitive distribution market. He studied Public Administration at the American University of Beirut and has enriched his leadership profile through executive programs at globally renowned institutions, including Harvard University, Cambridge University, Wharton, and London Business School.

8. Thibaut Boidin– CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc

Thibaut Boidin was appointed MD and CEO of Nigerian Breweries Plc in July 2025, succeeding Hans Essaadi. His arrival coincided with a period of renewed optimism for the brewing giant, as easing cost pressures and improved pricing discipline drove investor confidence.

Under Boidin’s leadership, Nigerian Breweries Plc advanced 135.31%, with its share price climbing from N32 to N75.30. The gain reflected expectations of margin recovery across its product portfolio, as well as strategic efforts to stabilize operations in Nigeria’s competitive beer market.

Boidin’s career within HEINEKEN spans strategic transformation roles across Europe. He previously served as Managing Director of HEINEKEN Romania, where he oversaw nearly two years of steady market growth. He also held roles as Chief Transformation Officer for HEINEKEN Europe and Deputy General Manager of HEINEKEN France, where he spearheaded operational restructuring.

Beyond brewing, Boidin’s corporate background includes senior leadership roles at ELIS, a French multi-service company, and Veolia. Earlier in his career, he worked as a consultant with HeadMind Partners in Paris. A former officer in the French Armed Forces, Boidin served five years across Spain, Guyana, Chile, Lebanon, and Djibouti, experiences that honed his resilience, adaptability, and leadership under pressure.

7. Carlos Coutino – MD, International Breweries Plc

Carlos Coutino, Managing Director of International Breweries Plc since January 2023, oversaw one of the sector’s most impressive rallies in 2025.

The company’s stock surged 152.25%, rising from N5.55 to N14, driven by aggressive repricing, cost controls, and restructuring efforts aimed at narrowing losses.

Coutino’s career with AB InBev spans over 18 years across three continents and seven countries. He joined the company in 2004 as a global management trainee and has since held senior roles in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, and Mexico. His international experience has shaped his ability to navigate complex markets and deliver sustainable growth.

In Nigeria, Coutino initially led the High-End and Modern Trade business before becoming National Sales and Trade Marketing Director. His success in expanding market share and volumes in Nigeria’s competitive beer market earned him the top role in 2023. His tenure as MD was marked by restructuring efforts that improved investor sentiment and positioned International Breweries for recovery.

An Industrial Engineer with an MBA in Strategy, Coutino has built a career in sales, trade marketing, and commercial strategy. He resigned from his role as MD effective March 1, 2026, and is expected to transition to another leadership role within AB InBev, continuing his global leadership journey.

6. Folake Ogundipe – Interim MD, Cadbury Nigeria Plc 

Folake Ogundipe became interim Managing Director of Cadbury Nigeria Plc following the retirement of Oyeyimika Adeboye on November 30, 2025. Her appointment came at a pivotal time for the company, as investors looked for stability and earnings recovery.

Under their leadership, Cadbury Nigeria Plc’s stock gained 178.60%, closing the year at N59.90 from N21.50. The rally reflected expectations of earnings stabilization, improved pricing, and cost rationalization amid a challenging consumer environment.

Ogundipe joined Cadbury Nigeria in September 2025 after serving as Finance Director at Unilever Nigeria. She has also held senior finance roles at Pivot-GIS, Nigerdock Plc, and Jagal, building a strong track record in financial management and corporate strategy. Her experience across diverse industries has equipped her with the skills to navigate Cadbury Nigeria through transition.

She holds an MSc in Business, Management, and Marketing from the University of Leicester and a BSc in Accounting and Finance from Obafemi Awolowo University. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Ogundipe’s appointment underscores Cadbury’s commitment to strong financial stewardship and operational resilience.

5. Aderemi Saka – MD, NASCON Allied Industries Plc 

Aderemi Saka was appointed Managing Director of NASCON Allied Industries Plc on December 1, 2025, following the resignation of Thabo Mabe.

Their leadership inspired investor confidence, as the company’s stock rose 242.90% in 2025, from N31.35 to N107.50. The rally was driven by resilient demand for essential food inputs, margin recovery, and stable cash flows.

Saka’s extensive experience in finance and strategy positioned her to strengthen NASCON’s leadership and operational efficiency.

She has 26 years of experience working in Nigeria and the United States with multinationals and publicly traded corporations. Before joining NASCON as CFO, she was part of the Group Corporate Strategy team at Dangote Industries Limited, where she contributed to long-term growth planning. Her earlier career includes roles at Version Business, MCI, American Tower Corporation, and T/R Systems Inc.

Saka holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA in International Business from Georgia State University, USA. Her appointment reflects NASCON’s focus on strong governance and strategic leadership.

4. Nassib Raffoul – MD, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc 

Nassib Raffoul has been the Managing Director of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc since May 2022, bringing with him a wealth of operational and executive experience in agro-processing and manufacturing. His leadership has been instrumental in repositioning the company within Nigeria’s competitive food sector, ensuring that Honeywell remains a trusted supplier of staple food products.

Under Raffoul’s watch, Honeywell Flour Mills delivered a 247.62% gain in 2025, with its share price rising from N6.30 to N21.90. This remarkable performance was underpinned by improved pricing power, disciplined cost management, and expectations of stronger profitability in essential food categories. Investors responded positively to the company’s ability to balance efficiency with growth, even amid macroeconomic challenges.

Raffoul’s career spans several leadership roles within Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, where he served as Chief Operating Officer of the Agro-Allied division from 2019 to April 2023. He also held the position of General Manager and Director of Golden Sugar, overseeing production and strategy in one of Nigeria’s most vital food processing businesses. These roles provided him with deep insights into supply chain optimization and market expansion.

Beyond Honeywell, Raffoul serves as General Manager at Glassforce Ltd, further demonstrating his versatility across industries. His leadership style combines operational excellence with strategic foresight, positioning Honeywell Flour Mills Plc as a key player in Nigeria’s agro-allied industry. By focusing on efficiency, innovation, and profitability, Raffoul has strengthened Honeywell’s role in feeding Nigeria’s growing population.

3. Inalegwu Adoga – MD, Champion Breweries Plc  

Dr. Inalegwu Adoga was appointed Managing Director of Champion Breweries Plc in December 2023, ushering in a new era of growth and transformation for the Nigerian brewery. His leadership has been marked by operational restructuring, strategic initiatives, and renewed investor confidence in the company’s long-term prospects.

Champion Breweries’ stock advanced 267.45% in 2025, climbing from N3.81 to N14.00. The rally reflected optimism around revenue growth, improved capacity utilization, and stronger competitive positioning in Nigeria’s regional beer market. Adoga’s ability to align production efficiency with market demand has been central to this success.

A UK-qualified Master Brewer, Adoga boasts over 24 years of experience in the FMCG industry. He joined Heineken in 2003 as a Management Trainee and steadily rose through the ranks, holding various roles across Nigerian Breweries Plc. His career trajectory included vertical and horizontal moves across divisions, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of brewing operations and corporate management.

Adoga’s academic credentials are equally impressive. He earned a degree in Microbiology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, followed by a Master’s in Brewing Operations from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling in the UK, and an MBA from the University of Gloucestershire. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Microbiology at the University of Uyo. His leadership is further enriched by certifications from institutions such as Heriot-Watt University, Oxford Brookes University, and Aston Business School.

2. Taiwo Ayodele Adeniyi – CEO, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc 

Taiwo Ayodele Adeniyi has served as Group Managing Director and CEO of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc since June 2015, steering the company through a decade of transformation and growth. His tenure has been defined by operational efficiency, product innovation, and strategic expansion in Nigeria’s bedding and insulation market.

In 2025, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc delivered a 300% gain, with its share price rising from N23.00 to N92.00. The rally was driven by improving margins, cost optimization, and sustained demand across its product lines. Adeniyi’s ability to balance operational discipline with market expansion has made Vitafoam one of the standout performers in Nigeria’s consumer goods sector.

Adeniyi’s career began at Pharma Deko Plc, where he gained experience in operations management and product development. He joined Vitafoam in 2007 as Logistics Manager and later became Manufacturing Manager in 2010. By 2012, he had risen to Executive Director and later Technical Director, roles that prepared him for the top job.

He was appointed Acting Managing Director in April 2015 and confirmed as substantive MD in June of the same year. Adeniyi holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and an M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Lagos, as well as a Master’s in Supply Engineering and Logistics from the University of Warwick, UK. His academic and professional background has been pivotal in driving Vitafoam’s operational excellence and market leadership.

1. Girish Sharma – MD, Guinness Nigeria Plc

Girish Sharma assumed the role of Managing Director and CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc in October 2024, bringing over two decades of experience in consumer goods and manufacturing. His appointment marked a turning point for the company, which had faced prolonged earnings challenges in Nigeria’s alcoholic beverages sector.

Under Sharma’s leadership, Guinness Nigeria emerged as the best-performing consumer goods stock in 2025, rallying 398.08% from N70.25 to N349.90. The surge reflected optimism around operational restructuring, pricing discipline, and expectations of improved profitability. Investors welcomed the company’s renewed focus on efficiency and market competitiveness.

Before joining Guinness Nigeria, Sharma served as CEO of Colgate Palmolive Tolaram from 2019 to 2024. During his tenure, he expanded Nigeria’s oral care and homecare portfolios, achieving over 600% growth in distribution, market penetration, and market share within three years. His success at Colgate solidified his reputation as a transformative leader in West Africa’s consumer goods industry.

Sharma’s career also includes significant leadership roles at Dufil Prima Foods Plc, where he served as Chief Operating Officer overseeing brands such as Indomie, Minimie, and Power Oil. He previously held senior positions at Tolaram Group in Nigeria and Ghana, focusing on distribution expansion and aggressive sales campaigns. His diverse experience across food, homecare, and beverages has positioned him as one of Nigeria’s most influential CEOs in the consumer goods sector.