Ziad Maalouf

Ziad Maalouf, a seasoned executive with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation, has held significant leadership roles in his career. He joined Seven-Up Bottling Company in 2008 as the National Sales Manager and swiftly ascended to the role of Managing Director within nine years. Prior to his tenure at Seven-Up, Ziad held key positions at renowned companies such as Cadbury, Unilever, and Al Alali. His experience in both international and domestic markets has equipped him with a unique perspective on business strategies.

Ziad's commitment to continuous learning and professional development is evident in his educational background. He holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the American University of Beirut and has further honed his skills through executive programs at renowned institutions such as the London Business School, Harvard Business School, INSEAD, and Stanford Graduate Business School.

Ziad is passionate about Nigeria's potential and believes in empowering its people. He is dedicated to fostering growth and innovation, as evidenced by his founding and leadership of the Scale Up initiative. This transformative program aims to equip SMEs with the tools to thrive and contribute to the nation's economic development.

Beyond his role at Seven-Up, Ziad is the Chairman of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, which is dedicated to promoting sustainability. His commitment to environmental responsibility and social impact is evident in his various endeavors.

Babatunde Irukera

Babatunde Irukera was the First Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC). He superintended Nigeria's transition to a composite competition, and more robust consumer protection statutory and regulatory framework after playing a prominent role in drafting the statute, and a leading role in promulgation of the law.

His record of advocacy and representation in competition and consumers' issues is exceptional and provided the clarity that both the FCCPC and industry needed in addressing issues of customer service/protection, promoting a level playing field in the Nigerian marketplace, and ensuring regulatory stability.

First as Director General/CEO of the Consumer Protection Council, and then Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the FCCPC, he led ambitious reforms, of the entire competition and consumer protection landscape in Nigeria, and is a prominent advocate and institutional supporter for similar reforms on the continent. He is widely recognized in Africa and beyond for transformational efforts in competition regulation, and building the FCCPC into a respected regulator.

Prior to public service, and after, Babatunde has been active legal practitioner for over three decades. His varied experience ranges from being In-house Counsel to General Counsel, Founding and Managing Partner in a law firm, and advising senior government officials as well as key government institutions; as well as assisting large and small businesses with regulatory compliance, and government relations. Over this diverse career, Babatunde gained considerable experience in transactions, civil rights, commercial litigation, compliance/government relations and practice management.

Key areas of legal practice experience for Babatunde include medical malpractice. He was key counsel in prosecuting, negotiating and settling a large multi-jurisdictional suit involving a major pharmaceutical company and the conduct of a clinical trial that resulted in injuries. He also played vital roles in sector related consumer protection advancements including advising the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority with respect to its role in sector consumer protection. He led the initiative in developing current aviation consumer protection regulations as well as the Passenger Bill of Rights. He also led the team that revised existing aviation economic regulations and superintended a comprehensive regulatory and parliamentary investigation into anti-competitive behaviour by international airlines.

Babatunde has co-authored and published several treatises including Nigeria chapters of leading global competition reviews and publications, regulations and guidelines for the FCCPC including the Patients' Bill of Rights (PBoR), and multiple mergers & acqusitions guidelines and regulations; dominance, restrictive agreements, investigative manuals and rules.

His unique reputation and combination of advocacy, regulatory and legal practice, as well as litigation prowess, and commercial practice have provided the much needed mutual industry and regulatory assurances and balance for a vibrant and robust competition and consumer protection regime that promotes stability, investment, as well as consumer satisfaction and confidence.

Babatunde was admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1990, and before the Washington State Supreme Court in 1996.

Seleem Adegunwa

Mr. Seleem Adegunwa is a seasoned business executive with over 28 years extensive experience across different industries, including the Food and Beverage industry. As the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Rite Foods Limited, he has been at the forefront of driving the Company's growth agenda since 2008.

With a strong background in operations and business strategy, he has successfully positioned Rite Foods Ltd as one of the leading Food and Beverage companies in Nigeria. Under his leadership, the Company has achieved significant milestones in developing and expanding its product portfolio to grow market share.

Mr. Adegunwa possesses an uncommon entrepreneurial mindset and ability to seize opportunities presented by emerging trends in the industry. He spearheaded the expansion of the Company's product pipeline resulting in the development of great Nigerian brands that cater to the changing consumer preferences, among which are the Fearless Energy Drink, Bigi Carbonated soft drinks, Sosa suite of fruit juice and Bigi and Rite Sausages. These brands are leaders in their categories in the Nigerian market.

With a deep commitment to excellence and integrity, Adegunwa is a firm believer in international best practices, which accentuates his penchant for maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality, ensuring Rite Foods products are not only a delight to consumers but safe and nutritious. This explains why Rite Foods is a prominent player in the highly competitive fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in Nigeria.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng) from Birmingham City University and an MBA with specialization in International Business from the University of Bristol. He has participated in numerous executive development programmes, including Leadership for Senior Executives at Harvard, to enhance his leadership acumen.

Oyeyimika Adeboye

Oyeyimika Adeboye joined the Board of Cadbury Nigeria Plc. as Finance and Strategy Director in November 2008. She was appointed as Managing Director of Cadbury Nigeria Plc on 1 April 2019 and Cluster Director of Mondelēz International West Africa on 1 July 2019. Mrs. Adeboye is the chairman of the Board of Cadbury Ghana Limited.

Prior to joining the Mondelēz International group, Mrs. Adeboye was the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance at Nigerian Bottling Company Plc (NBC).

Mrs. Adeboye worked for the Nigeria Practice of the erstwhile accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co, and the London Practice of Midgley Snelling & Co, Chartered Accountants, where she also trained as an articled clerk after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and Social Studies from University College Cardiff, Wales.

Mrs. Adeboye is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Nigeria.

Mrs. Adeboye is a member of the Board of Odutola Holdings Limited. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Timothy Adeola Odutola Foundation, a family-owned philanthropic foundation, and a member of the Board of Trustees of YEO Foundation.

Mrs. Adeboye is a member of the National Council of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), a member of the Board of the Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) and a Council Member of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

Mrs. Adeboye was conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award in 2023.

Mrs. Adeboye is passionate about accelerating equality in business and is an award winner of the Accenture Gender Mainstreaming Awards. In recognition of her commitment to the wellbeing of employees, she was awarded the “People First” CEO Award by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in 2023.

Bolatito Akinboye (Mrs)

Bolatito is a seasoned banker with over 25 years of experience in marketing, customer profiling, business management, product management, and industry analysis. She has a proven record of driving profitability, mobilizing deposits, and developing retail strategies. Known for her strategic thinking, results-oriented leadership, and excellent communication skills, Bolatito excels in relationship management and is a passionate coach committed to empowering women.

She has delivered impactful presentations for notable organizations such as Seven-Up Nigeria Plc, Promasidor Nigeria Plc, Lafarge Distributors Forum, and Nigerian Breweries Plc.

Bolatito earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Education) from the University of Lagos and a Master's degree in Personnel Psychology from the University of Ibadan.

As the Head of Wholesale Value Chain Management at First Bank, she led initiatives in profit generation, deposit mobilization, and retail strategy formulation. By leveraging her expertise in resource planning and people management, she successfully established and sustained business growth.

Her areas of expertise include business management and strategy, marketing and customer profiling, product management, industry analysis, coaching and mentoring, as well as women’s empowerment and development.

Yomi Banjo

Yomi is a dedicated and enthusiastic Expert who specializes in Industry, Environment and Energy programme management. Yomi holds two Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Nigeria and England respectively and a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Environmental Management and Technology from the University of Manchester, UK. He started his career at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

A professional with vast experience of international and national governments and private sector relations. He has sat on many Nigerian and African regional committees, advisory boards and has been instrumental and led negotiations, development and implementation of national and international projects and initiatives for Nigeria and some other countries. He has knowledge and specializes in many Environment Multilateral Conventions, Protocols and Agreements. He was instrumental to the development of Nigeria's Circular Economy programme and led several initiatives which include but not limited to the two focal National Policies, Food and Beverage sector, Electrical sector Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) programme etc. He nationally leads the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) Nigeria. He has received many national and international awards for his works with the United Nations. Yomi is currently supporting Nigeria to develop its Green Hydrogen energy structure. Yomi is known for his leadership skills and to develop big and complex projects.

He is presently the National Programme Coordinator - Environment and Energy, for United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Regional Office for Nigeria and ECOWAS

Oluwatobi Sola-Abiola

Oluwatobi Sola-Abiola is an entrepreneurial-minded professional and the Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Nature Tea's Ventures with over a decade of experience in talent management, project coordination, and business operations. Known for her exceptional communication skills and visionary leadership, she has built Nature Tea's Ventures from the ground up, allowing her focus on other interests while delivering tangible results and forging strong relationships across various industries. She's also the co-founder of The Noel and Nathan Foundation which is aimed at helping student entrepreneurs succeed in business outside the four walls of higher institutions.

Her 13-year career spans leadership, administration, and management roles in sectors such as Real Estate, Manufacturing, Media, and Not-For-Profit. With a background in Psychology and active membership in the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the PRO of the Entrepreneurship Alumni Association. She has been recognized among the top 100 Nigerian SME Women by Bank and Entrepreneur Africa Magazine. Additionally, she has been a beneficiary of prestigious programs such as the British Council's Business Acceleration Bootcamp, the US Consulate's Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and the Leap Africa's Leadership Accelerator Programme for Young African Women.

While being honored to be a beneficiary of the World Bank Women-X Scholarship Programme, a recipient of the On Becoming Entrepreneurship grant, and a grant awardee from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), she's also facilitated the International Breweries Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, as well as been a two time nominee for the National MSME Award of Excellence by the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria.

Recently, she rekindled her passion for public speaking and has had the privilege of leading national and international conferences and events as well as co-hosted Nigeria's No. 1 Breakfast TV show, Your View on TVC, several radio shows and podcasts.

Her core skills include Business Incubation and Development, Storytelling, Research, communication, and Networking. She thrives on connecting people and facilitating valuable relationships. If you need someone who knows someone, she's often your link to making those connections happen.

Segun Ogunleye

Segun Ogunleye is a seasoned marketing, communication, and innovation expert with over 15 years of experience in the dynamic worlds of FMCG, finance, and retail. A strategic thinker and creative storyteller, Segun leverages his deep understanding of consumer behavior and market trends to drive brand growth and business profitability.

As a digital nomad, Segun embraces a flexible lifestyle that fuels his passion for music and the finer things in life. His unique blend of strategic insight and creative flair makes him a valuable asset to any organization seeking to elevate its brand and connect with its audience.