Nigeria has been a major player in the African economy and will continue to be a dominant force to reckon with in Africa. She boasts of being the largest economy in Africa and ranks among the most populous nations in the world. This is also true when it comes to business, technology and commerce. These are some of the factors that drive the growth of the nation.
But at the helm of these different industries are some powerful CEOs, who have piloted their companies to success, and also have played no small significant role in shaping the business landscape in Nigeria.
This article is an exclusive dive into the profiles of these CEOs. It explores their leadership style, the different challenges they have to surmount to sustain their influence and also their contribution to fostering a strong Nigerian economy
Most powerful CEOs in Nigeria
1. Roger Brown of Seplat Energy
One of the leading energy firms in Nigeria is Seplat Energy. It is a prominent company and has been in the limelight for its role across Africa.
Brown joined Seplat as Group Chief Financial Officer and board member in 2013 and held that position till 2020. He played a key role in the successful dual listing of the company on the main markets of the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges in 2014.
Roger Brown was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, in August 2020, following the retirement of Austin Avuru. This made him responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of Seplat Energy. He resumed the position full of energy, and with a pledge to make Seplat Energy a “net zero” company by 2050.
He was also able to manoeuvre the difficult regulations in Nigeria. These amongst others have earned him one of the most prominent and powerful chief executive officers in the nation
2. Lars Richter of Julius Berger
Engr. Lars Richter is the MD/CEO of Julius Berger and a distinguished German national. He was appointed to the board of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on October 16, 2018.
As the MD, he has made so many innovative strides in the company and has said the company is transitioning to a conglomerate by continually driving growth across core businesses and their other subsidiaries, through which they deliver value-added services along the entire value chain of the construction industry.
As the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, he leads a first-class team of professionals and a first-rate organization, working to deliver high-value innovative construction solutions. It’s a challenging role, filled with great responsibility, and equally, great reward.
Arriving in Nigeria 15 years ago, he didn’t know so much about Nigeria and its citizens, but one thing was certain, he was excited about the business opportunities, the challenges involved and getting to know the country. According to him, he said he had some amazing experiences and has remained inspired to be here, applying his engineering expertise, passion for innovation and experience to drive progress and make a positive mark.
He also hinted at his core values as regards construction. He said he believes construction companies must do more than build structures, they must construct in a manner that connects the present to the future – improving quality of life, enabling economic opportunity and supporting national growth. This is the Julius Berger approach, one that he and everyone will continue to champion and honour within the Julius Berger group of companies.
3. Karl Toriola of MTN Nigeria
Karl joined MTN in 2006 and has held various senior operational roles across the Group, including CEO of MTN Cameroon and CTO of MTN Nigeria. Before he was appointed CEO of MTN Nigeria, he held the position of Vice President for the West and Central Africa Region.
Other experience includes Chief Operations Officer at Airtel Nigeria and various roles at Ericsson in Switzerland and Nigeria. Karl is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) as well as a member of the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) and the Institute of Directors (IoD)
However, in less than two years of steering the MTN ship, Toriola has successfully won and launched the 5G network in Nigeria, making MTN the first network to do so, as well as MoMo PSB. These two projects speak volumes about his vision as a result-driven leader. Being a business leader of this calibre and many more makes him one of the most powerful CEOs in Nigeria.
4. Michel Puchercos of Dangote Cement
Michel Puchercos is the chief executive officer of Dangote Cement. As the chief executive officer of Dangote Cement, he pilots the affairs of the largest cement company in Africa. This goes a long way to tell you the role the company is playing in the infrastructure and construction sector in Nigeria and Africa.
Puchercos took over as the CEO of the company in 2020, and since then he has been involved and contributed to the expansion of the company in Africa.
Puchercos has a leadership style that is demonstrated by the emphasis on operational excellence and sustainable growth and development.
Under his leadership, the company has made some giant strides in adhering to the reduction of carbon footprint, which is in alignment with global policies of making the world carbon-free.
He is also quite strategic and this has made him mandate the company to invest in alternative fuels and has also expanded the company’s export capacity. These initiatives have strengthened the company’s market dominance and have also positioned an advocate of sustainable industrial methods and practices.
5. Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank
Adaora Umeoji became the group managing director and the chief executive officer of Zenith Bank. This was a landmark because this was the first time a female was holding such a position in the company.
Umeoji took over from Ebenezer Onyeagwu as CEO, but she has been in the banking industry for over thirty years. This has made her a perfect fit for the job
Her appointment was meritorious because it was her expertise and leadership capabilities that earned her the position.
Her influence spans beyond just the banking industry, as she has been recognized for her contribution to gender equality and the empowerment of women in the nation.
These strides serve as a springboard and encouragement to many. Her leadership style is also worth knowing. She combines strategic vision with a strong inclination to social impact. All these have made her a powerful woman CEO in the Nigerian corporate community
Conclusion
The chief executive officers that we have exhaustively spoken about in this article are more than business leaders. They are also a major player in the economic development of Nigeria.
Their ability to overcome challenges, inspire innovation in their various companies, and contribute to the progress of their companies has made them people of power and influence.
Nigeria as a nation continues to evolve and these CEOs will inevitably be instrumental in shaping the nation’s future, and not just their industries.
This story should serve as an inspiration to those aspiring to be leaders, and also show how a visionary leader can have a huge impact on a company, the industry and the nation at large.
