Cadbury Nigeria has announced the appointment of Ayman Hussein Gaafar as its new Managing Director, marking a fresh leadership phase for the company as it continues its recovery and growth journey in Nigeria’s consumer goods market.
The appointment was disclosed in a statement signed by the company secretary, Afolasade Olowe. According to the company, the decision was approved by the Board of Directors after a recommendation from the Governance and Risk Committee. Gaafar’s appointment will officially take effect on May 15, 2026. The development also means that Folake Ogundipe will step down from her role as Interim Managing Director after overseeing the company since December 2025.
In the official statement, the company said, “The Board has considered and approved the appointment of Mr. Ayman Hussein F. Gaafar as Managing Director of Cadbury Nigeria Plc with effect from 15th May 2026.”
Cadbury Nigeria explained that the appointment is part of its broader strategy to strengthen leadership and position the company for long term expansion and improved performance. The firm also informed the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public about the new leadership change. Gaafar is bringing years of experience from several multinational consumer goods companies. Over the years, he has worked with global brands. His experience covers business management, commercial leadership, market expansion, and organizational transformation across different regions including Africa, the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Canada, and the Levant.
The company described him as a leader with a strong record in revenue growth, strategic partnerships, and managing large teams in competitive markets. Cadbury Nigeria believes his international experience will help drive the next stage of the company’s growth and operational development. The Board also praised Ogundipe for her role during a difficult transition period.
According to the company, her leadership helped stabilize operations and maintain the company’s strategic direction while the business worked through restructuring and recovery efforts.Cadbury Nigeria recently returned to profitability after struggling with losses in previous years.
The company’s unaudited 2025 financial results showed strong improvement, with revenue rising by 31 percent and net profit reaching N12.1 billion after recording losses in 2024. The improved results reflect the company’s efforts to rebuild operations amid inflation pressures and changing consumer demand in Nigeria.
