BAT Nigeria pledges to strengthen gender diversity in leadership

British American Tobacco Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to gender diversity in leadership, strengthening its drive for inclusivity with female appointments in its senior  team.

The company, in a statement made available to our correspondent on Wednesday, announced the appointment of Osose Aziba as Head of Legal and Compliance and Buky Olukoga as Head of Human Resources and Inclusion for West and Central Africa. With these additions, women now hold four positions in the company’s senior leadership team, including Odiri Erewa-Meggison, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Director, and Kikelomo Fisayo-Okusanya, Head of Marketing Deployment.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of BAT West and Central Africa, Yarub Al-Bahrani, emphasised the company’s dedication to advancing women in leadership.

“At BAT, we recognise that diverse leadership is not just about fairness—it’s about business excellence. Organisations that embrace inclusivity are more innovative, resilient, and better positioned for sustainable success. That is why we remain committed to strengthening gender diversity in leadership,” Al-Bahrani said.

He added that beyond appointments, BAT Nigeria has integrated gender diversity into its corporate strategy, ensuring that women thrive across all functions, including traditionally male-dominated sectors such as regulatory affairs, security, and commercial strategy.

“This is not about meeting quotas. It is about ensuring that talent, expertise, and leadership capabilities, irrespective of gender, are represented at the top. Our objective is clear: to cultivate an inclusive environment where women can advance and lead at every level of the organisation,” he noted.

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

Al-Bahrani noted that as the company joins the global celebration of International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme ‘Accelerate Action,’ BAT Nigeria reiterated its pledge to dismantle barriers and foster an environment where the most capable talent, regardless of gender, can rise to the top.

“Our ambition is clear,” Al-Bahrani concluded. “We are building a legacy where women are not just part of the conversation but are shaping the agenda. The journey towards a more inclusive and equitable workplace is ongoing, and at BAT Nigeria, we are leading the charge.”

The PUNCH reported that the Managing Director of British American Tobacco, West and Central Africa, Yarub Al-Bahrani, has disclosed that the company is committed to environmental sustainability in Nigeria.