Cadbury Nigeria Plc has entered a new chapter of leadership with the appointment of Mr Ayman Hussein F. Gaafar, also known as Ayman Fahmy, as its new Managing Director, effective May 15, 2026.
The announcement follows the conclusion of the tenure of Mrs Folake Ogundipe, who served as Interim Managing Director since December 2025. Her appointment came at a critical moment for the company, and her leadership during this transitional period has been widely described within the organisation as steady, resilient, and strategically focused. Under her watch, Cadbury Nigeria maintained operational direction and continuity, ensuring stability while the Board undertook its search for a permanent chief executive.
The company confirmed that Mr Gaafar’s appointment was approved by the Board of Directors following a recommendation from its Governance and Risk Committee. The decision has also been formally communicated to the investing public through the Nigerian Exchange Limited, reinforcing the company’s commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.
A seasoned global executive, Mr Gaafar brings with him a wealth of experience spanning some of the world’s most recognised fast-moving consumer goods multinationals, including Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, Danone, and Shan Foods. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation as a commercially astute leader with a sharp ability to translate corporate vision into measurable execution.
His professional expertise cuts across general management, commercial strategy, and full profit and loss responsibility. He is particularly noted for designing and executing go-to-market strategies, driving business transformation, and delivering sustained revenue growth across complex and competitive markets.
Mr Gaafar’s leadership footprint extends across multiple regions, including the Middle East, Levant, Africa, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada. In these diverse markets, he has led large-scale teams, strengthened organisational capability, and expanded market reach while forging strategic alliances that enhanced operational performance.
With his appointment, Cadbury Nigeria Plc signals a renewed focus on growth, operational excellence, and strategic expansion within Nigeria’s evolving consumer goods landscape. The Board expressed strong confidence in Mr Gaafar’s ability to steer the company into its next phase of development, as it continues to consolidate its position within the industry.
As he assumes leadership, expectations are high that his global experience and transformation-driven approach will further strengthen Cadbury Nigeria’s competitive edge and long-term value creation.
