BUA Group has disbursed a total of ₦30 billion to 510 employees at its 2025 Night of Excellence and Long Service Awards, marking one of the most far-reaching employee reward initiatives ever undertaken by a Nigerian private sector company.
The ceremony celebrated long service, loyalty, and outstanding contributions by employees whose tenures range from five years to more than four decades. It underscored a core principle that has guided the Group since its inception: that enduring businesses are ultimately built by people.
Addressing guests at the event, Founder and Executive Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, described the occasion as an opportunity to recognise loyalty, resilience, and the sense of shared ownership that defines the BUA story.
Reflecting on the company’s journey, Rabiu noted that from humble beginnings 36 years ago, BUA has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most valuable listed enterprises, with a combined market capitalisation running into trillions of naira. He stressed, however, that the achievement was never the work of one individual, a single board, or capital alone.
According to Rabiu, “every factory built, every system strengthened, every challenge overcome, and every milestone reached carries the imprint of employees who believed in the vision long before the results were visible.”
He reiterated that BUA has consistently viewed its workforce as partners in a shared legacy rather than merely employees, emphasising that loyalty and professionalism deserve tangible recognition.
Under the 2025 awards programme, ₦30 billion was distributed to 510 recipients across various long service and excellence categories. Owing to time constraints, only 41 awardees received their prizes physically from the Chairman during the ceremony. These individuals represented the highest award categories, with cash prizes ranging from ₦100 million to ₦1 billion.
The on-stage recipients included sixteen awardees of ₦100 million each, nine recipients of ₦200 million each, seven recipients of ₦250 million each, three recipients of ₦500 million each, five recipients of ₦1 billion each, and one special award recipient whose cash prize was not disclosed at the event. The special award was presented to Kabiru Rabiu in recognition of his exceptional loyalty, leadership, and long-standing contribution to the growth and stability of the BUA Group.
All other beneficiaries either received their plaques and cheques ahead of the ceremony or will do so at their respective plants and operational locations nationwide.
Rabiu described the cash awards as a symbol of appreciation, noting that no financial reward can fully compensate for decades of commitment, personal sacrifice, and belief in the Group’s mission.
Looking ahead, he said BUA would continue to expand capacity, invest in advanced technologies, and deepen its presence across cement, food, sugar, and infrastructure, while ensuring that the people who built the Group continue to grow with it.
The BUA Night of Excellence and Long Service Awards remains a cornerstone of the Group’s culture, reflecting an organisation founded on shared prosperity, long-term vision, and deep respect for its people.
The event was attended by staff, partners, customers, and distinguished captains of industry, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, friends and well-wishers, as well as the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; Nigeria’s Minister of Finance (State), Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; and the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.