Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc has appointed an experienced finance executive, Abubakar Lawal, as a Non-Executive Director to sharpen strategic oversight and corporate governance. The company announced the board appointment on February 11, 2026, through a notice signed by its Company Secretary, Chidimma Okolo. The effective date for the appointment was February 10, 2026, underscoring an immediate shift in board composition.
The company framed Lawal’s inclusion as a decisive move in its governance and growth framework. It stated, “Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc (Japaul Gold or the Company) is proud to announce a transformative phase in its corporate governance and strategic direction with the appointment and onboarding of Abubakar Lawal as Non-Executive Director effective from the 10th day of February, 2026.”
This appointment signals Japaul Gold’s intent to strengthen high-level oversight as the company builds on recent financial improvements and pursues broader resource development opportunities across Africa and other markets.
Abubakar Lawal brings decades of finance and advisory experience, primarily from his role as Co-founder and Group Managing Director of GTI Group, a firm focused on investment banking, public sector advisory, and corporate restructuring. His career includes pioneering private trading infrastructure in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa and leading major financial transactions for public and private entities. Over the last thirty years, he has worked on corporate restructuring, recapitalisation, and finance mandates for firms such as International Breweries Plc, Eterna Plc, Wema Bank Plc, and Morison Industries Plc, among others.
Lawal’s profile reflects both international exposure and strong local market knowledge. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, and his professional reputation emphasizes value creation and strategic insight.
The new board appointment occurs alongside another executive shift at Japaul Gold. The company also disclosed the resignation of its former Group Managing Director, Akinloye Daniel Oladapo, effective October 13, 2025. The board acknowledged Oladapo’s contributions and extended best wishes for his future endeavours.
Japaul Gold’s recent financial performance provides context to these governance changes. The company reported a strong turnaround in 2024, returning to profitability after a loss in the previous year. It recorded a pre-tax profit of N1.8 billion in 2024, reversing a N622.02 million pre-tax loss in 2023. Revenue rose by over 59 percent year-on-year to N4.1 billion, driven primarily by equipment rental income.
Despite increased direct costs, gross profit expanded significantly, underscoring improved operational efficiency. The firm’s emphasis on stronger governance and strategic expertise is consistent with efforts to sustain this performance trajectory.
In summary, Japaul Gold’s board refresh positions it to manage evolving industry challenges and capitalize on growth prospects with a mix of seasoned leadership and renewed strategic focus. The appointment of Abubakar Lawal reinforces a governance structure aligned to these priorities.
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