The Board of Directors of Unilever Nigeria PLC has considered and approved the resignation of Abidemi Ademola as an Executive Director with effect from 31st May 2023.

According to a disclosure signed by Afolashade Olowe on the NGX, the resignation becomes effective from 31st May 2023.

The Board of Directors however wishes Ademola all the very best in her future career and expresses their sincere gratitude to her for the many valuable contributions and legal expertise she brought to the Company over a distinguished 27-year career at Unilever.

The company also noted that her replacement on the Board of Directors of Unilever Nigeria will be announced in due course.

Ademola’s profile

Ademola has over 27 years of experience practicing commercial law and corporate governance in Nigeria and West Africa. She is a qualified and seasoned corporate counsel, governance professional, and executive business leader.

Her specialty is to proactively identify legal, regulatory, compliance, and corporate governance risks to business and develop creative mitigation to enable seamless business operations and sustainability. She is passionately driven by a personal purpose to create a lasting legacy by shaping capability in Governance, Risk, and Compliance.

Abidemi has played a key role in the development of powerful legal teams and the accomplishment of numerous monumental legal transactions and initiatives throughout West Africa. Since more than ten years ago, she has assisted the Unilever Nigeria Board in putting world-class Corporate Governance policies and procedures into place, which has enhanced the effectiveness of the Board.

She has a law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, a master’s degree in law from the University of Lagos in Akoka, and a leadership MBA from Walden University in the United States. She is a member of the Governing Council and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN). She is a Fellow of the WIMBIZ/IE University, Madrid Executive Education Programme for Women on Boards and the WIMBOARD Institute.

Bidemi participates actively in the Nigerian Institute of Directors, the Society for Corporate Governance, and the Nigerian Bar Association. Abidemi served as the first chair of the NBA Section on Business Law’s Corporate Counsel Committee and is currently an officer on the NBA Women Forum’s Corporate Counsel Committee.

Seplat Energy and ExxonMobil have announced the extension of their Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (SSPA) for the acquisition of ExxonMobil’s share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU).

The extension comes as both companies navigate ongoing legal proceedings and seek to secure regulatory approvals necessary for the transaction.

Seplat Energy, a prominent Nigerian independent oil and gas company, has been actively pursuing the acquisition of ExxonMobil’s share capital of MPNU, with the aim of strengthening its position in the industry. However, while the extended agreement is a testament to Seplat Energy’s determination to acquire ExxonMobil’s share unit, the legal challenges surrounding the deal remain complex.

Therefore, the extension of the SSPA will allow both Seplat Energy and ExxonMobil to preserve the transaction until the resolution of the ongoing legal matter with the Nigerian government.

The extended agreement also affords the opportunity for further negotiations and discussions between the two companies. It allows them to explore potential modifications to the original terms, ensuring that the finalized agreement aligns with their mutual interests and objectives.

Ride-hailing mobility company Bolt has opened its first physical office in Kenya to enhance drivers’ welfare and engagement.

The newly launched facility which is located in the Nairobi Westlands area, will be open to drivers to address their complaints and solve their challenges.

Bolt drivers can schedule appointments to visit the center, as the company has assured that it will offer them effective communication channels, community building, issue resolution, drivers appreciation, and positive branding, amongst others.

Speaking on the launch of its first physical facility in Kenya, Bolt Country Manager Linda Ndungu said,

“The launch of this center is a testament that we are strongly committed to enhancing our driver welfare and engagement, which will ultimately contribute to the success and growth of our business and the ride-hailing industry at large.

“We shall continue to collaboratively work with all our key stakeholders so as to continue offering affordable, safe, and convenient ride-hailing services in Kenya; and creating entrepreneurial opportunities that enable more people to earn a sustainable living”.

Investors King understands that while Bolt opened a new Africa head office in Nairobi, Kenya in 2022, which was a regional hub for the 7 African countries, it did not have a physical office where drivers could go to issue complaints and get assistance.

Through this newly launched facility, Bolt looks forward to strengthening its relationship with drivers to foster enhanced operations in the East African country.

Notably, Bolt has described Kenya as its strategic location in the African region, and its infrastructure in the country has enabled the company to grow tremendously in the East African market.

Despite operating in 7 African countries for years, Bolt’s chose to operate a centralized African office in Kenya, a move which saw it join the growing list of global technology firms that have set up offices hubs, and labs in Kenya, as they race to tap into the larger African market.