HBM Nigeria strengthens board with appointment of Fatima Akilu, Nella Andem-Ewa

By Editor

HBM Nigeria Plc has appointed Fatima Akilu and Nella Andem-Ewa, as Independent Non-Executive Directors, reinforcing the company’s corporate governance framework as it begins a new phase following its recent rebranding from Lafarge Africa Plc.

The appointments take effect from July 1 according to a corporate notice dated July 6 and signed by the Company’s Secretary, Adewunmi Alode.

They replace Adenike Ogunlesi and Elenda Osima-Dokubo, who retired from the board effective June 30, 2026.

The company said the appointments will be presented to shareholders for ratification at its next Annual General Meeting (AGM).

“HBM Nigeria Plc is pleased to announce the appointments of Fatima Akilu and Nella Andem-Ewa as Independent Non-Executive Directors, effective 1st July. These appointments are subject to formal ratification by the members of the Company at the next Annual General Meeting,” the company said.

HBM Nigeria also paid tribute to the outgoing directors, acknowledging their contributions to the company’s governance and strategic development.

According to the company, Ogunlesi and Osima-Dokubo brought valuable entrepreneurial, commercial and governance expertise that supported the company’s growth and strengthened board oversight during their tenure.

Akilu joins the board with more than three decades of experience spanning psychology, strategic communications, peacebuilding, public policy and national security.

She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Neem Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on mental health, community resilience and preventing violent extremism.

She previously served as Director of Behavioural Analysis and Strategic Communication at the Office of the National Security Adviser, where she played a key role in developing Nigeria’s countering violent extremism strategy.

Akilu holds both a PhD and MSc in Psychology from the University of Reading and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the University for Peace, Honorary Professor at King’s College London and a board member of the Overseas Development Institute.

Andem-Ewa brings more than 30 years of legal and public policy experience to the board.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), she is the Principal Partner at Lexglobal Partners and previously served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Cross River State between 1999 and 2003.

She was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2009 and has held several leadership positions across Nigeria’s legal and governance institutions, including the Council of Legal Education, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association and the Body of Benchers Disciplinary Committee.

The appointments come shortly after the company completed its transition from Lafarge Africa Plc to HBM Nigeria Plc.

Shareholders approved the name change at the company’s Annual General Meeting held on April 30, following the acquisition of Lafarge Africa by Holcim, while the Corporate Affairs Commission subsequently issued an updated Certificate of Incorporation reflecting the new corporate identity.

The latest board appointments are expected to support HBM Nigeria’s governance priorities as the company seeks to consolidate its market position and strengthen strategic oversight under its new corporate identity.

With expertise spanning public policy, legal practice, corporate governance and behavioural science, the two independent directors are expected to contribute fresh perspectives to the board as HBM Nigeria pursues its next phase of growth in Nigeria’s building materials industry.