Guinness Nigeria PLC unveils Adebayo Alli as MD/CEO, marking a transformative leadership era

Guinness Nigeria PLC has ushered in a new era with the appointment of Adebayo Alli (Bayo) as the incoming Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2024.

This marks a significant shift in leadership dynamics, as Bayo takes the helm, succeeding John Musunga, who is set to embrace a pivotal role within Diageo as the first Managing Director for Southern, West and Central Africa (SWC).

In acknowledgment of Mr. Musunga’s impactful tenure as MD/CEO, the Board expressed gratitude for his impactful stint as Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria PLC, acknowledging the remarkable performance, strategic reshaping, and high employee engagement achieved under his leadership. The transition, slated to conclude at the end of 2023, aims for a seamless handover, aligning with the business’s orderly leadership change and succession planning strategy.
The newly appointed MD/CEO Adebayo Alli, is an accomplished executive with nearly two decades of diverse leadership experience across supply chain, manufacturing, program management, and sales. Having served in key roles across the organization, Bayo’s transformative leadership has been evident in his ability to optimize supply chains, drive breakthroughs, and achieve results through inclusive and diverse teams.

His remarkable journey includes an international assignment in Ethiopia, where he spearheaded a business transformation project and demonstrated an inclusive leadership style. Returning to Nigeria in 2017, Bayo held roles as Operations Director and later transitioned to commercial, serving as Commercial Director since 2020. In this role, he achieved outstanding NSV growth, doubled Gross Profits, and embraced a digital-focused mindset to drive incremental growth.

A commercially astute leader, Bayo’s deliberate focus on people and strategic bets have not only propelled business growth but also nurtured robust succession plans. With a purpose to inspire positive transformations, he holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Advanced Process Engineering.

The Board has also welcomed Bayo, expressing confidence in his transformative and collaborative leadership style.

Commenting on the latest leadership change, Dr. Omobola Johnson, Chair of the Board, emphasized the organization’s commitment to nurturing talent and looks forward to working closely with Bayo during this pivotal period for the business.

Outgoing MD/CEO, John Musunga, also shared his excitement for his new role in Diageo Africa and expressed confidence in Bayo’s exceptional leadership, anticipating even greater success for Guinness Nigeria in the years ahead.

As Guinness Nigeria embarks on this transformative journey, the commitment to delivering value to stakeholders remains unwavering. The company looks forward to achieving greater success in the coming years under the visionary leadership of Adebayo Alli.