BUA Foods names Khalifa Rabiu to executive role as growth push deepens

BUA Foods Plc has appointed Isyaku Abdulsamad “Khalifa” Rabiu as chief officer for global procurement and strategic operations, strengthening its executive bench as Nigeria’s most valuable company recalibrates supply chains and pursues cost-efficient growth.

Rabiu’s appointment takes effect January 29, 2026, the company said. He will oversee end-to-end global procurement while leading operational initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, lowering costs and bolstering supply-chain resilience across the business.

The move comes as BUA Foods shifts from a phase of consolidation to what it describes as more disciplined, scaled expansion across its core food segments, including flour, pasta, rice and animal feed.

Rabiu joins from BUA Group, where he served as director for special operations and led several transformation initiatives across food, cement and feed businesses. His work included strengthening supplier partnerships, driving procurement efficiencies and improving operational performance, the company said.

According to the company, he played a central role in strategic raw-material sourcing, particularly wheat procurement, and led the establishment of a 40-metric-tonne-per-hour animal feed mill.

Rabiu was also involved in the commercial reintroduction of BUA rice products into Nigeria’s consumer market and oversaw the rollout of proprietary digital platforms across BUA Foods’ operations.

“As BUA Foods enters the next stage of its transformation, marking a shift from business consolidation to scaled and more disciplined growth, we are delighted to welcome Khalifa to our leadership team,” Ayodele Abioye, managing director of BUA Foods, said in a statement.

“His expertise in global procurement and strategic operations will be vital to strengthening our supply chain and enhancing operational efficiency.”

Supply-chain management has become increasingly critical for Nigerian food manufacturers, which have faced volatile foreign-exchange markets, rising input costs and logistical bottlenecks over the past two years. Companies have been seeking to lock in raw-material supply and optimise procurement structures to protect margins and stabilise production.

Rabiu said he plans to advance more agile and sustainable procurement systems to support the company’s long-term ambitions.

“I am excited to assume this role at such a pivotal time in BUA Foods’ growth journey,” he said. “I look forward to driving procurement and operational strategies that support the company’s long-term objectives.”

Rabiu holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Regent’s University London and a master’s degree in management from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

BUA Foods, controlled by billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu, has expanded rapidly in recent years, investing in backward integration and capacity expansion to reduce import dependence and improve cost control.

The latest appointment signals a renewed focus on execution and governance as the company positions for its next growth phase.