After 15 Years, Ibukun Awosika Steps Down from Cadbury Board

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After more than a decade of influence in Nigeria’s corporate space, Ibukun Awosika has announced her resignation from the board of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, bringing to a close a 15-year chapter of leadership and service.

The company confirmed her exit in a notice issued to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public on April 29, 2026. The statement, signed by Company Secretary Afolasade Olowe, noted that her resignation will take effect from May 1, 2026.

While the announcement feels like a formal exit, it also signals the close of a significant era for a woman whose influence extends far beyond a single boardroom.

Ibukun Awosika is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential business leaders, with a career spanning entrepreneurship, corporate governance, and global advocacy. She is the founder of The Chair Centre Group, a leading furniture and security systems company in Nigeria and has built a reputation for merging creativity with business strategy.

Her journey into entrepreneurship began in 1989 with the launch of Quebees Limited, a furniture manufacturing company. At the time, Nigeria’s business environment posed significant challenges of limited access to funding, weak infrastructure and the demanding nature of manufacturing. She overcame these challenges and built the foundation for a successful brand.

Before venturing fully into business, Ibukun’s career took an unconventional turn. After leaving a role in audit, she transitioned into a showroom manager position at Alibert Nigeria Limited. Over the years, Ibukun has become known as a woman of firsts. She made history as the first female Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, one of the country’s most prominent financial institutions. She also served on the pioneer board of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund and is a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.

Her influence also extends globally. She has served on international platforms, including the UK G7 Impact Taskforce and has received numerous recognitions, such as the Forbes Woman Africa Chairperson Award and the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Award.

Beyond corporate leadership, she founded the Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy and convenes the International Women’s Leadership Conference in Dubai, while also leading the Christian Missionary Fund, a faith-based initiative focused on social impact.

Her resignation from Cadbury Nigeria may mark the end of a formal role, but it does not signal a slowdown. She has worked across many fields and is still a key voice in leadership and business in Africa.