Nigerian Breweries appoints Ayodele Lawal new sales director as Unigwe bows out

By Onome Amuge

Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced the appointment of Ayodele Lawal as its new sales director, effective from May 1, 2023.

Lawal’s new position covers the responsibility of overseeing Nigerian Breweries sales strategy and execution across the country, a position previously held by Uche Unigwe, who is retiring from the company on attaining the mandatory retirement age.

Sade Morgan, corporate affairs director, Nigerian Breweries,who made the announcement  during a media briefing that was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja Lagos, noted that Uche Unigwe during his active career ,has had a very robust, proud history at the Nigeria Breweries.

According to Morgan, Unigwe made some strategic changes to transform the company’s route-to-consumers.

Introducing the new sales director, Morgan disclosed that Lawal has a career spanning across all of the company’s regions, and at the same time been able to impact other portfolios while managing Heineken OpCo in Haiti.   She noted that Lawal returned to Nigeria in 2022, and has worked closely with Uche Unigwe, the outgoing sales director.

“Aside from Ayodele being someone that is phenomenally disciplined, he is also passionate about capacity building, talent development and people. We are really excited to announce him as the new sales director,” Morgan said.

Hans Essaadi, the managing director of Nigerian Breweries, who paid tribute to Uche Unigwe, the outgoing sales director, said, “During his long and illustrious career, Uche has been an instrumental part of the growth and success of Nigerian Breweries. He has been a dedicated and inspiring leader, with a wealth of knowledge and experience that has helped to shape our company’s future.

Essaadi remarked that under Unigwe’s leadership, the sales team has achieved remarkable milestones and played a crucial role in launching new products, expanding its market share, and driving the growth of the business.

“We will truly miss his passion, energy, and unwavering commitment to excellence. As he embarks on a new phase of his life, the company is grateful to Uche Unigwe for his contributions to our growth and we wish him the best in his future endeavours following his well-deserved retirement,” the MD added.

A statement by Nigeria’s pioneer and largest brewing company stated that Ayodele Lawal, the incoming sales director, brings with him over 30 years of experience in brewing and sales functions, having held several senior sales roles in the company and the parent company – HEINEKEN.

Lawal  started his career with the company in 1991 as a brewer and thereafter made a cross-functional move to sales as a field sales Manager, rising through the ranks to the position of regional business manager in Central, West, Lagos, and Port Harcourt regions.

In 2017, he was seconded to HEINEKEN Vietnam and later in the same year, he was appointed national sales manager BRANA (Heineken OpCo in Haiti) before his appointment as sales director for Haiti in 2018.  He returned to Nigeria in 2021 to take up the role of zonal business manager, North, and thereafter, the zonal business manager, West.

Speaking on the new appointment, Essaadi congratulated Lawal, saying the company is thrilled to have him take on the role of sales director.  The managing director said Lawal  brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position, having held senior roles in sales both at Nigerian Breweries and HEINEKEN.

“His leadership and business acumen will undoubtedly drive further growth and innovation for our company,” Esaadi stated.