Abdul Samad Rabiu’s son, Khalifa, takes leadership role at BUA Foods

Khalifa Rabiu, the son of Nigerian billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu, has been appointed Chief Officer, Global Procurement and Strategic Operations at BUA Foods Plc, the food and consumer goods arm of BUA Group. The appointment, effective Jan. 29, 2026, positions him to play a key role in Nigeria’s most valuable listed company with a market cap of $10.6 billion.

BUA Foods, Nigeria’s leading food manufacturer, said in a press release that Khalifa’s appointment strengthens the company’s leadership at a pivotal stage, as it advances its long-term business plan to expand its core operations.

“As BUA Foods moves from consolidation to more disciplined growth, we are pleased to welcome Khalifa to the leadership team,” said Ayodele Abioye, managing director of BUA Foods. “His experience in global procurement and strategic operations will be critical to improving supply chains, operational efficiency, and value for our customers and stakeholders.”

Focused on efficiency, supply chain

Khalifa Rabiu said he was eager to take on the role. “I look forward to advancing agile and sustainable procurement systems and operational strategies that support BUA Foods’ long-term ambitions,” he said. Khalifa holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Regent’s University London and a Master’s in Management from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

In this role, Khalifa will oversee the company’s global procurement operations and lead initiatives to optimize costs, strengthen supply chain resilience, and drive sustainable growth. He brings years of experience across the food, cement, and animal feed industries, having previously served as Director for Special Operations at BUA Group.

At BUA Group, he led transformation projects, strengthened supplier partnerships, and helped reintroduce BUA rice to the Nigerian market. He also spearheaded the launch of a 40-metric tonne-per-hour animal feed mill and oversaw digital platform rollouts across the business.

BUA Foods’ profit nearly doubles

Khalifa’s appointment reflects BUA Foods’ focus on operational excellence, governance, and leadership development. The company ended its 2025 financial year with a profit of N507.7 billion ($366.6 million) for the nine months ended December 31, up from N266 billion ($192.7 million) a year earlier. Revenue rose to N1.8 trillion ($1.29 billion) from N1.52 trillion ($1.1 billion), driven by sugar, pasta, and rice sales, alongside tighter cost control.

The company’s balance sheet also strengthened. Total assets rose to N1.38 trillion ($990 million), retained earnings increased to N694.7 billion ($500 million), and shareholders’ equity expanded to N702.8 billion ($507 million). Ownership remains largely within the Rabiu family, with Abdul Samad Rabiu holding a 92.63 percent stake in the company. (Shore Africa)