HBM Nigeria names Fatima Akilu and Nella Andem-Ewa as new directors

HBM Nigeria Plc has named peacebuilding expert Fatima Akilu and former Attorney-General of Cross River State, Nella Andem-Ewa, as Independent Non-Executive Directors. Their appointments start on 1 July.

The announcement came in a regulatory filing signed by the company’s Secretary and Legal Director, Adewunmi Alode. Shareholders will need to approve the appointments at the next Annual General Meeting.

These new appointments follow the resignation of Adenike Ogunlesi, an Independent Non-Executive Director, and Elenda Osima-Dokubo, a Non-Executive Director. Their departures took effect on 30 June.

HBM Nigeria thanked the outgoing directors for their service. The company said their efforts were key to its growth and governance.

The building solution firm noted that Ms Ogunlesi and Ms Osima-Dokubo brought valuable business experience, commercial knowledge, and strategic guidance to the board. They helped the company face various challenges during their time.

“The Board and Management express their sincere gratitude to Mrs Ogunlesi and Ms Osima-Dokubo for their invaluable contributions and commitment to the Company.

“As accomplished entrepreneurs and business owners, they brought their wealth of commercial insight, strategic vision, and practical business acumen to the boardroom,” the company stated.

The company also welcomed the new board members, asking them to use their expertise and oversight skills to promote growth and excellence.

“The Board and Management warmly welcome Dr. Fatima Akilu and Mrs. Nella Andem-Ewa. We look forward to the valuable expertise and strategic oversight they will bring to the Company as we continue to drive sustainable growth and excellence,” it said.

Ms Akilu is the Founder and Executive Director of the Neem Foundation. There, she leads projects to prevent violent extremism, support mental health, and strengthen community resilience.

She has worked as Director of Behavioural Analysis and Strategic Communication at the Office of the National Security Adviser. In that role, she helped shape Nigeria’s countering violent extremism programme.

The psychologist also held key positions at the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and at Leadership Newspapers.

Ms Akilu has a PhD and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Reading in the UK. She is also the Vice-Chair of the United Nations-mandated University for Peace and an Honorary Professor at King’s College London. Additionally, she is a board member of the Overseas Development Institute.

On the other hand, Ms Andem-Ewa is the Principal Partner at Lexglobal Partners LP. She has over thirty years of experience in law, governance, arbitration, and public service.

She was the Attorney-General of Cross River State from 1999 to 2003. In 2009, she became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Ms Andem-Ewa has held various leadership roles. These include Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria and Vice Chairperson of the Nigerian Wing of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (UN CEDAW).

She has also been part of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, and the Body of Benchers Disciplinary Committee.