Transcorp Group names Ozigbo President/CEO in wide ranging board, executive appointments

Valentine Ozigbo, who currently leads the hospitality and hotels businesses of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, has been named as the incoming president and chief executive officer of the group effective January 1, 2019. Ozigbo currently sits as managing director and chief executive officer of Transcorp Hotels Plc, the owners of the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Analysts said the advanced announcement of his appointment, at two and a half months before he assumes duties represents a robust succession plan at one of Nigeria’s leading diversified listed conglomerate.

Ozigbo will succeed Adim Jibunoh, who will be retiring on December 31, 2018 , and will bring with him to his new role over 20 years’ experience in banking, business development, hospitality and corporate transformation.

He is described as a multiple award winner, who holds an master’s degree in finance from Lancaster University, UK; an MBA in banking and finance and bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Nigeria.  He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Other appointments made are those of Owen Omogiafo, who will be taking over from Ozigbo as managing director and chief executive officer of Transcorp Hotels Plc, on January 1, 2019.  She is currently the executive director, corporate services at Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc.

Omogiafo will take into the new role more than 18 years’ corporate experience in organisational development strategy, human capital management, banking, change and business management.  She holds a first degree in sociology and anthropology from the University of Benin and a second degree in human resource management from the London School of Economics and Political Science.  She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), UK and a Certified Change Manager with the Prosci Institute, USA.

Others appointments made by the board of directors include Obi Ibekwe and Toyin F. Sanni as non-executive directors, following the retirement of Kayode Fasola and Abdulqadir Jeli Bello.  Both appointments will become effect from October 30, 2018.

Sanni who retired from United Capital Plc, was the group chief executive officer at United Capital Plc before she retired in June this year.  She has over 25 years of experience in investor services, law and finance.  Sanni holds first and second degrees in law from the Universities of Ife and Lagos respectively, as well as professional qualification of the I.C.S.A. UK and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (C.I.S) Nigeria.

Obi Ibekwe on the other hand holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, U.S.A., another bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos and an MBA degree from the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, U.S.A.  She has over two decades experience in banking, holding senior executive and senior management positions spanning credit and marketing, credit risk management, human resources and customer service.

A new chairman, Emmanuel Nnorom, forTranscorp Hotels Plc, was also named by the board. He takes over from Abdulqadir Bello who has retired.

Nnorom is presently the group chief executive officer of Heirs Holdings, after retiring as the President/CEO of Transcorp.  He brings over three decades of professional experience in the corporate and financial sectors, working with publicly listed companies.  He is an alumnus of Oxford University’s Templeton College, and a prize winner and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Tony Elumelu, chairman, Transcorp Group, expressed confidence that the newly appointed chief executives and non-executive directors will further strengthen Transcorp’s core purpose of improving lives across Nigeria.

“We are pleased to have the diversity, depth and quality of experience that these directors bring to our group.  The executive appointments are a testament to our internal succession capacity and the appointees will build on the achievement of their predecessors.  By these appointments, we have further deepened our corporate governance capabilities, and firmed up our leadership position in the sectors we invest in,” he said.

Elumelu thanked the retiring directors for their meritorious service to the group over the years, adding that the board of Transcorp will continue to implement its defined strategy, which has led its investee companies being leaders in their industries and to take the group to the next level.