Nigeria’s leading brewing company, Nigerian Breweries Plc, has recently announced the appointment of Sijbe “Siep” Hiemstra as the interim Chairman of the company, effective from January 1, 2024. This decision is pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman, signifying a significant shift in the company’s leadership.
The notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), signed by the Company Secretary/Legal Director, Uaboi Agbebaku, following the Board Meeting on December 7, 2023, revealed this pivotal development.
During the transitional period, Hiemstra, the longest-serving Director and a member of the Governance Committee, will assume the responsibility of steering the Board’s affairs and overseeing the process of appointing a substantive Chairman. Notably, Hiemstra’s illustrious career includes serving as the Heineken Regional President for Africa and the Middle East, thus displaying a wealth of experience in the industry.
Additionally, as part of the restructuring, the Board also welcomed the appointment of Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli as a Non-Executive Director, effective from January 1, 2024. The statement emphasized Ojekwe-Onyejeli’s extensive expertise as a risk manager in the financial services industry and her significant contributions to the boards of esteemed organizations such as Coronation Insurance Plc and Rand Merchant Bank.
The recent reshuffling of the Nigerian Breweries’ board of directors follows the resignation of the Chairman, Asue Ighodalo, and the completion of the tenure of Independent Non-Executive Director, Ndidi O. Nwuneli, MFR. Nwuneli, having served as a Non-Executive Director for over nine years, will be stepping down from her role effective December 31, 2023, following the completion of her tenure.
Speaking on his resignation, Ighodalo expressed his heartfelt regret, citing his decision to offer himself for public service. He emphasized the emotional sacrifice made to fully devote himself to this new cause while highlighting Nigerian Breweries’ ability to navigate the dynamic business landscape in Nigeria.
This transformative period in Nigerian Breweries Plc signifies a significant change in leadership and governance, heralding a new era for this industry titan. The company’s commitment to embracing dynamic leadership and harnessing diverse expertise is poised to propel it to greater heights in the ever-evolving business world.
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