The Nigerian supply chain sector is a complex and vital ecosystem, constantly evolving to meet the demands of a growing economy.
The professionals featured in this report represent the pinnacle of expertise, innovation, and leadership within this critical field. Their contributions span diverse industries, from oil and gas to public health, agriculture, and technology, demonstrating a profound impact on efficiency, resilience, and strategic development across the nation’s value chains. These individuals have distinguished themselves through their extensive experience, strategic vision, commitment to capacity building, and ability to proffer solutions for national development.
Below are the 10 top supply chain experts who have significantly influenced and continue to contribute to Nigeria’s supply chain excellence. This list is based on research and public reputation.
Dr. Bola Afolabi FCIPS
Dr. Afolabi boasts over three decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, including senior leadership roles at Shell and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He holds the historic distinction of being the first non-European Global President of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), UK. His extensive contributions include influencing Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act, lecturing on Strategic Supply Chain, and serving as a consultant on developing competency frameworks for public service procurement professionals.
Azuka Okeke
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Resource Centre for Excellence in Supply Chain Management, Azuka Okeke is a pivotal force in strengthening public health supply chains across Africa. She is renowned for her ability to engage governments and development partners, securing significant investments for health supply chain programs and fostering public-private partnerships. Her work focuses on ensuring equitable access to medicines and healthcare commodities through innovative and sustainable solutions.
Amanda Etuk
Co-founder of Messenger.ng, Amanda Etuk is revolutionizing last-mile delivery, warehousing, and logistics solutions in Nigeria. With a background in Pharmacy and a Master’s in Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management, she identified and addressed critical gaps in Nigeria’s logistics industry. Her company leverages technology for efficient deliveries and empowers logistics operators through financial services and operational support, significantly impacting SME growth and job creation.
Saeed Ande
As the Procurement Director at Lafarge Africa Plc, Saeed Ande is a seasoned supply chain professional with over 17 years of multi-industry, multi-country, and multi-continent experience spanning FMCG, humanitarian aid (United Nations), and cement manufacturing. A Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and Chartered Accountant, he is a prominent voice at supply chain conferences, advocating for Africa’s potential to become a global supply chain powerhouse through digital transformation and localization.
Azukaego Chukwuelue
The Managing Director of Trussugavi, Nigeria, and a consultant with Africa Resource Centre (ARC_ESM), Azukaego Chukwuelue brings over two decades of commercial and supply chain strategy leadership from multinational FMCG giants like Cadbury, Kraft Foods, Mondelez International, and Kimberly-Clark. Her expertise lies in enhancing supply chain visibility, building capacity for SMEs, optimizing logistics and procurement processes, and passionately mentoring young women in the industry.
Dr. Salisu Uba
A distinguished Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) and Managing Partner of NatQuest Limited, Dr. Salisu Uba is a leading expert in digital procurement. His extensive career spans public and private sectors across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. He is actively involved in research on blockchain adoption in the oil and gas supply chain and contributes significantly to CIPS Nigeria’s initiatives, promoting procurement best practices and talent development.
Adebayo Adeleke
As the CEO of Supply Chain Africa, Adebayo Adeleke is a key figure in addressing geopolitical and security impacts on supply chains in Africa. A seasoned security and defense professional, he provides strategic insights on risk management and promotes indigenous supply chain development. His work through Supply Chain Africa and his academic engagements emphasize leveraging technology and understanding regional dynamics for robust supply chain ecosystems.
Obinna Nwodo
Obinna Nwodo is the co-founder of the Young Supply Chain Professionals (YSCP) Community. He is a recognized author and consultant, particularly in strategic sourcing and inventory optimization. He has championed multiple ERP implementations for Nigerian SMEs. Through YSCP, he is dedicated to bridging skill gaps, providing mentorship, and championing the adoption of digital technologies and data analytics to empower the next generation of supply chain leaders in Nigeria.
Dr. Frank Ojadi
A distinguished faculty member at Lagos Business School, Dr. Frank Ojadi has made significant contributions to supply chain management research, education, and consulting in Nigeria for over two decades. With a PhD in Transport Economics, his expertise covers operations management, logistics, and supply chain optimization. He has widely consulted for various industries, helping organizations improve procurement processes and enhance their overall supply chain performance.
Uka Eje
Uka Eje is a transformative leader in Nigeria’s agricultural supply chain and CEO of ThriveAgric. His company utilizes technology to empower smallholder farmers by providing access to finance, training, and markets. Through innovative solutions like its proprietary Agriculture Operating System (AOS), he is instrumental in optimizing harvest aggregation and last-mile logistics, thereby improving food security and reducing post-harvest losses across Africa.
