Guinness Nigeria Plc has appointed Omobola Olubusola Johnson, a former minister of communication and technology, as chair of its board of directors.
Johnson, 57, replaces Babatunde Savage, who retires on June 30. She will take office on July 1, and has been a non-executive director of the company since January 2016, Nigeria’s third-biggest brewer said in a statement in Lagos.
Savage is exiting the firm after spending four decades, occupying different strategic senior roles and rising to become an executive director and later the chairman of the board, a position he has held for twelve years.
“I feel so proud of my association with this wonderful company with such rich heritage that constantly reminds you that you are standing on the shoulders of giants. Guinness Nigeria is and will always be family to me,” he said.
Johnson served as the minister of communication and technology during the Goodluck Jonathan administration between 2011 and 2014. She has more than 30 years’ experience spanning both the private and public sectors.
A former managing director of Accenture, Nigeria, Johnson is a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and serves on the boards of a number of blue-chip companies including MTN Nigeria.
She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from University of Manchester and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Cranfield University, United Kingdom.
Currently a serving member of the Guinness Nigeria Board, Johnson has over 30 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy. Commenting on her appointment, the former Country Managing Director for Accenture and now senior partner at TLCom Capital, a technology venture capital firm focused on Africa, said “Guinness Nigeria is an excellent company with tremendous value creation opportunities, and I believe the refreshed Board and the Management Team will remain committed to carrying on the excellent tradition of the Company led by Mr. Savage in achieving outstanding performance and maximizing shareholder value.”
“Dr. Omobola Johnson as incoming Board Chair perfectly complements the Board of Guinness Nigeria because of her unmatched skills and experience, and I am confident she will continue to provide the right leadership and valuable perspectives to enable the company sustain the execution of its unique strategy, drive profitability and enhance value for all stakeholders,” Mr Savage said.
Johnson will resume as Guinness Nigeria Plc.’s Board Chair on 1st July 2021 and the appropriate notification of her appointment as well as Savage’s retirement will be filed with relevant regulatory authorities as required by extant regulations.
Johnson is the daughter of the late High Chief Ilemobayo Akinnola, prominent businessman, boardroom Titan, philanthropist and former Lisa of Ondo Kingdom. She is also the younger sister of Yewande Zacheaus, lawyer, corporate Amazon and the pioneer of event planning and management industry in Nigeria.
She is married to Oluseyi Johnson, the administrative head of West Region at Julius Berger Nigeria, a construction firm, and the son of the late Brigadier General Mobolaji Johnson, who served as the first governor of Lagos from 1967-75.