Godrej Group, the globally acclaimed conglomerate known for its diverse portfolio of consumer goods, real estate, appliances, agriculture, and more, has announced the appointment of Kayode Oladapo as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for West Africa.
This strategic move makes Oladapo the first Nigerian, and African, of the West Africa Business. It comes as Godrej aims to capitalize on the tremendous growth potential in the vibrant West African market, including Nigeria, Ghana, and more.
In a statement released by the company, Oladapo will be taking over from Chitwan Singh, the outgoing Business Head of Nigeria. The appointment follows a spate of locally led strategic recruitment by the business giant to drive market expansion through collaboration with businesses, communities and government, thereby improving economic development, creating employment opportunities, and contributing to the region’s well-being.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead Godrej’s operations in West Africa”, said Kayode Oladapo. “This appointment signifies not just a career milestone but also a chance to contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. Together with our local partners and dedicated team, we are determined to bring innovative solutions and world-class products to West African consumers, empowering them and driving progress.”
Godrej’s spokesperson and Head of Marketing, Olugbenga Alabi stated, “We are excited about the vast opportunities the West African market presents. We believe that Kayode Oladapo’s appointment as CEO will further accelerate our growth and reinforce our commitment to the consumers, communities and partners we serve in the region. Via his leadership, we are poised to make a lasting and positive impact.”
Oladapo joined Godrej in 2021 as Category Head of FMCG for the GAUM cluster, following a 10-year stint at Nestle, where he worked across category and regional roles. He assumed responsibility for the Ghana business in 2022, focusing on establishing the building blocks for go-to-market (GTM) and category expansion.
He brings an impressive track record of over two decades in business leadership, including roles at various multinational organizations. His profound expertise in strategic planning, market expansion, and operational excellence will be instrumental in realizing Godrej’s growth aspirations in West Africa.
Godrej Group is a significant player in the Hair Fashion, Hair Care, Home Insecticide and Personal Care categories, particularly for women of African descent, offering a range of products tailored to their needs. The Company continues to expand its presence on the continent and other emerging markets, with manufacturing facilities in several African countries, including South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, and Nigeria. The Company has also made several acquisitions, reflecting its commitment to provide consumers with a wide range of quality products and improve its market leadershi
