IWD 2025: BAT Nigeria reaffirms commitment to advancing women in leadership

As the world marks International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme “Accelerate Action,” BAT Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to breaking barriers, amplifying women’s leadership, and fostering gender equity.

The company continues to promote an environment where the most capable talent, regardless of gender, can rise to the top.

The Managing Director of BAT West and Central Africa, Yarub Al-Bahrani, emphasised that diverse leadership is not just about fairness but also about business excellence.

“Organisations that embrace inclusivity are more innovative, resilient, and better positioned for sustainable success. That is why we remain committed to advancing women’s leadership across all areas of our business,” he stated.

As part of this commitment, BAT Nigeria recently appointed Osose Aziba as Head of Legal and Compliance and Buky Olukoga as Head of Human Resources and Inclusion for West and Central Africa (WCA).

He said these appointments mark a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward gender equity.

“With these leadership appointments, women now hold four key positions within our senior leadership team in West and Central Africa, including Odiri Erewa-Meggison, Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Director, and Kikelomo Fisayo-Okusanya, Head of Marketing Deployment,” Al-Bahrani added.

Al-Bahrani stressed that BAT Nigeria’s efforts to foster female leadership extend beyond mere representation.

He said the company is committed to creating an environment where women excel across all functions, including traditionally male-dominated areas such as legal, regulatory affairs, security, and commercial strategy.

“By embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into our leadership approach, we are transforming gender equity from aspiration to reality. This is not about meeting quotas; it is about ensuring that talent, expertise, and leadership capabilities—irrespective of gender—are recognized and promoted. Our objective is clear: to cultivate an inclusive environment where women can advance and lead at every level of the organization,” he asserted.

According to him, BAT Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to DEI has not gone unnoticed.

He said the company has been recognised as a Global Top Employer in Nigeria and Africa, reinforcing its reputation as a workplace that prioritises inclusion, talent development, and employee well-being.

“This recognition is not just an accolade—it reflects our continuous drive to embed diversity and inclusion into our corporate DNA. We do not just advocate for gender equity; we are institutionalizing it,” Al-Bahrani said.

Al-Bahrani further emphasized that BAT Nigeria is not only driving change within its own workforce but also setting industry best practices across Africa.

He concluded by reiterating that gender diversity is both a moral imperative and a strategic advantage.

“By embedding DEI into our leadership strategy, fostering mentorship, and ensuring career advancement for women, BAT Nigeria continues to demonstrate that gender diversity drives innovation, strengthens resilience, and secures long-term success,” he added.