Mr Adewale Raji is the 8th Group Managing Director/CEO of Odu’a Investment Company Limited. He was first appointed into the position for a term of five years on the 1st of June 2014 and later got his appointment renewed for a second tenure in June 2019 following performance evaluation by Top Tier (Big-4) Advisory Services and ratification by Shareholders.
An Entrepreneurial and Strategy driven Leader/ Chief Executive, with over three (3) decades of leading industry expertise. Accomplished professional with multinational experience in FMCG end-to-end Supply Chain, with proficiency in Materials Management, Planning, Procurement, Logistics and distribution, and Route-to-Market Channel Development and deployment.
Mr. Raji has a Track record of exceeding set targets, and growing the bottom line while spearheading operational improvements to drive business profitability and cost optimization. He is highly successful in implementing business process improvements, change management, developing people, and commercializing all aspects of a business, excelled in dynamic & demanding environments while remaining pragmatic and focused on value, people, and results.
Some of his Key Achievements as GMD/CEO, Odu’a are as follows:
- Returned Company to high profitability through strategic and efficient restructuring- significant growth in Profit Before Tax (PBT) from N378m and N495m in 2013 to N849m and N1.061b in 2018 for the Holding Company and the Group respectively.
- In the 5 years of the first tenure, a Gross Dividend payout of N1.208b to Shareholders demonstrated a record of consecutive annual dividend payments in the history of the Company.
- Origination and execution of new business initiatives toward expansion of revenue base particularly in Agric-Business and processing, real estate and construction, oil and gas, and other key real sectors.
- Leveraging strategic partnerships, key venture partners, and regional legacy to champion the contribution of Odu’a to the economic development of the South West Region of Nigeria.
- Introduction and administration of Corporate Governance mechanism as well as a work culture of safeguarding the interest of Shareholders with a very high sense of accountability and transparency.
A seasoned technocrat and an Administrator with over 28 years working experience, Mr Raji served predominantly with PZ Cussons Nigeria Group where he rose to become the Managing Director in charge of Distribution Services overseeing the conglomerate’s Strategic Business Unit (SBU).
He also served on the Executive Board of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc. Group in 2006. He has to his credit the following key achievements at PZ Cussons:
- Overall responsibility for the conglomerate’s planning, logistics, and distribution of diversified brand categories in home & personal care, food & nutrition, and electrical appliances across the country.
- Led the creation of Distribution Services- a new strategic business unit (SBU) and execution of innovative supply chain blueprint for the delivery of consonant nationwide operation of logistics and distribution/supply chain strategy – managing a portfolio above N120b domestic and N3b export sales as at 2014.
- Industriously rose through the ranks from Management Trainee in 1987 to Managing Director status in 2008
- Served assiduously on the Executive Board of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc for 8 years (2006 till his resignation in May 2014).
Mr. Raji had his Bachelor of Arts, B.A. (Hons) from the University of Jos in 1985. He was in the pioneer MBA class of Lagos State University (LASUNBA) and graduated in 1997 with specialization in Marketing.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors (FIoD) Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Logistics Management (FILM), Fellow of the Association of Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria (FCGP), Member – Institute of Directors of Nigeria, M.IoD, Non-Executive Director- SKG-Pharma Ltd (Pharmaceutical Manufacturer), Non-Executive Director- Glanvill Enthoven Insurance Brokers & Pension Consultants, Chairman – Odu’a Telcoms Limited, Member, Ikoyi Club 1938, Past President of the Lagos Chapter of University of Jos Alumni Association, Member – Board of Trustees of the University of Jos Alumni Association (National Chapter), and Former Member – Board of Directors – University of Ibadan School of Business (UISB).
He has attended a number of Executive Management Training Courses at home and abroad; these include:
- Cranfield University (UK) based
- Logistics Education Centre
- University of Manchester Business School – Executive Development Programme
- Poise – Finishing School, Lagos
- Institute of Directors (IoD Nigeria)
- University of Lagos
- Nigeria Institute of Management
- Lagos Business School
He is a recipient of numerous awards which include the following, Nigerian Tribune Platinum Peerless Corporate Leader Award 2019, National Merit Award Recipient of the National Chapter of University of Jos Alumni Association 2004, and Honourable Fellow of NUJ (Nigeria Union of Journalists)– Lagos Traffic Radio Chapter.
Mr. Adewale Raji’s hobbies include photography, keen football Fan, playing Lawn Tennis, reading and travelling.
He is happily married with children.