Unilever Nigeria Plc has appointed Michael Ikpoki as its interim Chairman pending the selection of a substantive Chairman of the board, this is following the announcement of major changes to its board.
The company disclosed this in a formal notification to The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited and the investing public.
According to the statement signed by Afolasade Olowe (MRS), Senior Counsel, and Company Secretary of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Ikpoki replaces His Majesty, Nnaemeka A Achebe, Obi of Onitsha who retired from the Board effective 31st December 2023.
The statement reads, “Unilever Nigeria Plc hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited and the investing public that Mr. Michael Ikpoki has been appointed as Interim Chairman of the Board of Unilever Nigeria Plc. pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman of the Board.
Ikpoki replaces His Majesty, Nnaemeka A. Achebe, Obi of Onitsha who retired from the Board effective 31st December 2023”.
The newly appointed Interim Chairman, Michael Ikpoki, will be tasked with steering the company during this transitional period until a permanent Chairman is appointed.
Recall that recently the Board of Directors of Unilever Nigeria Plc has announced the resignation of His Royal Majesty, Nnaemeka A. Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, as a non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board.
The resignation according to the company’s notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) will take effect from 31st December 2023.
The notification reads, “This is to notify the Nigerian Exchange Limited and investing public that the Board of Directors of Unilever Nigeria Plc has considered and approved the resignation of His Royal Majesty, Nnaemeka A. Achebe, CFR, mni, Obi of Onitsha, as a non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board with effect from 31st December 2023.
“The Board of Directors wishes His Royal Majesty all the very best in his retirement and would like to express their sincere gratitude to him for his leadership and the many valuable contributions he brought to the Board over the past two decades since his appointment in March 2003”.
In a broader context, this development follows closely on the heels of Unilever Nigeria Plc’s recent appointments to its board. On January 18, 2024, the company welcomed two new board members – Ben Langat as a Non-Executive Director and Obinna Emenyonu as an Executive Director. These appointments were made to bolster the leadership team and bring in fresh perspectives to drive the company’s growth agenda.
Ben Langat, assuming the role of Non-Executive Director, brings a wealth of experience to Unilever Nigeria Plc. His appointment aligns with the company’s goal of diversifying its board with seasoned professionals.
Simultaneously, Obinna Emenyonu, taking on the position of Executive Director, is expected to play a key role in shaping the company’s strategic vision and execution. His expertise is seen as a valuable asset in furthering Unilever Nigeria Plc’s corporate objectives.
These appointments follow the resignation of Jaime Aguilera as Non-Executive Director on January 17, 2024. The departure of Aguilera opened up opportunities for recruiting new talent, contributing to the ongoing growth of Unilever Nigeria Plc’s leadership structure.