Mrs. Alaba Fagun stands as a visionary leader and strategic transformation expert whose two-decade career trajectory exemplifies the convergence of technical expertise, innovative thinking, and exceptional business acumen.

As Group Managing Director/CEO of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Nigeria’s foremost paint manufacturing company, she has consistently demonstrated her ability to navigate complex organizational challenges while delivering outstanding stakeholder value and sustainable growth across diverse industry verticals.

Her professional journey began with a solid foundation in architecture, where she developed crucial technical expertise and project management capabilities at prestigious firms including Siji Dosekun Partnership in Nigeria and Architects Co-Partnership in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

This architectural background provided her with deep understanding of construction processes, design principles, and project execution methodologies that would prove invaluable throughout her subsequent leadership roles in real estate, facilities management, and manufacturing.

The transition into real estate and facilities management marked a pivotal phase in Mrs. Fagun’s career development, where she assumed increasingly strategic responsibilities that showcased her natural leadership abilities. Her role as Senior Manager Properties at Broll Property Services Limited allowed her to develop sophisticated expertise in commercial real estate optimization and property portfolio management. This experience was further enhanced during her tenure at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, where she served as Head of Facilities Management and Head of Major Projects, successfully managing large-scale infrastructure initiatives and comprehensive facility operations across multiple locations.

Perhaps most significantly, Mrs. Fagun demonstrated her entrepreneurial acumen and strategic vision when she became the Founding Managing Director of UPDC Facility Management Limited (UPDCFM). This role required her to establish and scale an entirely new business entity from inception, developing operational frameworks, building team capabilities, and creating market positioning strategies that would ensure sustainable competitive advantage. Her success in this entrepreneurial venture highlighted her ability to combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution, a capability that would become a defining characteristic of her leadership approach.

When Mrs. Fagun assumed the role of Managing Director/CEO of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc in October 2022, she immediately implemented a comprehensive transformation strategy that would fundamentally reshape the organization’s trajectory. Her first major initiative involved a complete corporate identity rebranding designed to enhance consumer connection and market relevance. This was not

merely a cosmetic change but a strategic repositioning that transformed Berger Paints from a traditional manufacturer into a customer-centric solutions provider, establishing “Experience Your World in Colour” as the defining brand proposition that would guide all subsequent business decisions.

The operational excellence initiatives she implemented during her first year were equally impressive in scope and impact. Mrs. Fagun systematically expanded the retail footprint through strategic partnerships and distribution network optimization, ensuring that Berger products became more accessible to consumers across diverse market segments.

The financial results of these strategic initiatives were nothing short of remarkable. By the end of 2023, Mrs. Fagun had achieved a 125% growth in Profit After Tax.

This achievement was particularly noteworthy given the challenging economic environment in which they were accomplished, demonstrating her ability to create value even under adverse market conditions.

Mrs. Fagun’s commitment to organizational excellence extended far beyond traditional financial metrics, encompassing a comprehensive approach to diversity, inclusion, and human capital development that would distinguish Berger Paints as an industry leader. Under her leadership, the organization achieved an unprecedented 50% female representation across all levels, establishing an industry-leading standard for gender balance that reflected her deep commitment to creating an inclusive workplace culture. Equally impressive was her success in reducing the average management age from 45 years to 35 years, strategically injecting fresh perspectives and innovative thinking throughout the leadership structure while creating comprehensive career progression pathways that attract and retain top talent across all demographics.

Recognition of Mrs. Fagun’s exceptional performance and strategic vision led to her appointment as Group Managing Director in 2024, expanding her responsibilities to include oversight of the subsidiary Swift Painting Nigeria Ltd. This promotion reflected the board’s confidence in her ability to manage complex, multi-entity operations while maintaining the high-performance standards she had established at Berger Paints. The expanded mandate provided her with opportunities to lead diversification strategies into complementary business segments and develop integrated service offerings that would strengthen the group’s overall market position.

The financial performance achieved in 2024 under her group leadership was particularly remarkable given the significant macroeconomic challenges that impacted businesses throughout Nigeria. Despite currency devaluation pressures, inflationary headwinds, and widespread supply chain disruptions, Mrs. Fagun successfully delivered 36% revenue growth, 49% operating profit increase, and 37% Profit After Tax growth. These results demonstrated not only her operational expertise but also her strategic foresight in building resilient business models capable of thriving in dynamic and challenging market conditions.

“Mrs. Fagun’s leadership philosophy combines analytical rigor with people-centered management approaches, reflecting her belief that sustainable organizational success stems from empowering and developing human capital rather than relying solely on systems and processes.”

Mrs. Fagun’s leadership philosophy combines analytical rigor with people- centered management approaches, reflecting her belief that sustainable organizational success stems from empowering and developing human capital rather than relying solely on systems and processes. Her change management strategies consistently ensure stakeholder buy-in and sustainable adoption of new initiatives, while her decision-making process balances technical expertise with emotional intelligence to achieve optimal outcomes for all constituencies.

Innovation serves as a cornerstone of her strategic approach, with Mrs. Fagun consistently leveraging technology and process improvements to create sustainable competitive advantages. She actively encourages experimentation and calculated risk-taking throughout the organization while maintaining an unwavering customer-centric focus in all strategic initiatives. This approach has enabled Berger Paints to anticipate market trends and respond proactively to evolving customer needs rather than simply reacting to competitive pressures.

Her commitment to sustainable value creation is evident in her ability to balance short-term performance requirements with long- term strategic positioning needs.

She holds Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Architecture (Distinction) degrees from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She is a member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) and Institute of Directors (IOD),

Mrs. Alaba Fagun represents the embodiment of transformational leadership in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, demonstrating how visionary thinking, strategic execution, and people-centered management can drive exceptional organizational performance while creating meaningful value for all stakeholders. Her continued leadership positions Berger Paints Nigeria Plc not merely as a manufacturing company, but as a catalyst for positive transformation in Nigeria’s industrial landscape, contributing significantly to economic growth, employment creation, and technological advancement.

Through her innovative strategies, unwavering commitment to excellence, and proven ability to deliver results in challenging environments, Mrs. Fagun continues to elevate Nigeria’s foremost paint manufacturing company to unprecedented heights of success, establishing a legacy of transformational leadership that will influence the Nigerian business community for years to come.

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