Dow Chemical lifts Obayagbona

Dow chemical (Dow), an American multinational corporation, and the second largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue with approximately $62 billion global annual revenue for 2017, has named Edosa Obayagbona, as Managing Director of its West African regional operations with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.

Previously the Finance Director (CFO) for Dow Chemical’s India Subcontinent Region, Obayagbona replaces Tony Groosman, who retired earlier this year.

In this expanded role, Obayagbona, the first Nigerian indigene to be appointed to this leadership position, will also serve as the Finance Director (CFO) and will oversee all financial matters in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), for Dow Chemical. Obayagbona brings more than 20 years of global experience to the region.

He started his Dow career as a summer intern in 1999. Mr Obayagbona subsequently held various roles in risk management in Dow’s Corporate Treasury function before leaving for Koch Industries in October 2005.

While at Koch Industries, Mr Obayagbona held various global leadership roles in risk management, corporate finance, business continuity planning, and corporate real estate.

Obayagbona re-joined Dow in November 2013, and held roles in Venture Capital, Private Equity and Corporate Real Estate within Dow’s Portfolio Investments group before he was named as Finance Director for the Dow India Subcontinent region in January 2016.

Obayagbona holds an MBA from Clark Atlanta University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from London South Bank University, and is also a Charted Financial Analyst (CFA).

He enjoys traveling, is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and is an avid Arsenal Football Club supporter. Obayagbona is happily married with three children.

Building on Dow chemical’s success in Nigeria over the past six years, Obayagbona is tasked with the responsibility of leading the organization through the next level of growth in the region.

West Africa is key to Dow chemical’s African growth ambition which is anchored on the strong economic potential, increasing regional economic integration, government led drive for diversification, high access to mobile technology and a young, entrepreneurial demographic – these drivers have the potential to spark an accelerated industrial revolution.

The chemical industry can deliver much potential value adds to Africa’s development from the obvious economic diversification, manufacturing growth, technology, employment to science talent development, environmental sustainability, as well as food and energy security.

Dow Chemical will continue to bring its global expertise to bear on manufacturing in the region, collaborating with other multinationals and local manufacturers alike to sustainably innovate and increase productivity.

The company combines science and technology knowledge to develop premier materials science solutions that are essential to human progress.