Cadbury Nigeria appoints Ayman Gaafar as Managing Director
Cadbury Nigeria has named FMCG executive Ayman Gaafar as managing director as the company seeks to strengthen leadership after returning to profitability in 2025.
NIGERIA – Cadbury Nigeria PLC has appointed Ayman Hussein F. Gaafar as its new Managing Director effective May 15, 2026, as the company strengthens leadership to support growth and operational transformation.
The company said the appointment was approved by the Board following recommendations from its Governance and Risk Committee and has been formally communicated to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public.
Cadbury Nigeria described Gaafar as “a highly accomplished and driven business and organizational leader” with extensive experience across the fast-moving consumer goods sector.
“A highly accomplished and driven business and organizational leader, Gaafar brings extensive international experience in the FMCG industry, with a strong record of business transformation, revenue growth, and operational leadership,” the company said.
Gaafar has held senior leadership positions at multinational companies including Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, Danone and Shan Foods.
His career spans markets across Africa, the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the Levant region and Canada, where he built expertise in commercial leadership, business transformation, market expansion and general management.
The company said the appointment aligns with its strategy to strengthen execution capacity and accelerate growth in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive consumer goods market.
Cadbury Nigeria noted that Gaafar has extensive experience in developing go-to-market strategies, building strategic partnerships, driving operational efficiency and leading large cross-functional teams across multiple regions.
The leadership transition follows the completion of Mrs Folake Ogundipe’s tenure as interim managing director, a role she assumed in December 2025 during a critical period for the business.
The Board acknowledged her contribution in maintaining operational continuity and organisational stability during the transition period.
“Her determined resolve and relentless efforts have played a pivotal role in steering the company during this crucial period,” the company stated.
The appointment comes as Cadbury Nigeria continues its financial recovery after returning to profitability in 2025 following losses recorded in 2023 and 2024.
According to the company’s unaudited full-year 2025 results, revenue increased by 31 percent, supported by strong performance across key product brands.
Cadbury Nigeria reported a net profit of N12.1 billion in 2025 compared to a N22.2 billion loss recorded in 2024. Gross profit margin improved from 14.1 percent to 21.6 percent during the period, while net profit margin stood at 7.1 percent.
The recovery highlights the company’s efforts to improve efficiency and strengthen performance amid inflationary pressures and shifting consumer demand in Nigeria’s FMCG sector.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
