Nigerian Breweries Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading brewing companies, has appointed Uzodinma Odenigbo as its new Corporate Affairs Director. Odenigbo takes over from Sade Morgan, who has been promoted to a global role as Heineken’s Corporate Affairs Director for Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
The announcement was made by the company’s Managing Director, Hans Essaadi, with the appointment officially taking effect on May 1, 2025.
Odenigbo’s Journey at Nigerian Breweries
Since joining Nigerian Breweries in 2017, Odenigbo has made significant contributions to the company’s public and external affairs strategies. Initially serving as the Public Affairs Manager for the Southern region of Nigeria, Odenigbo’s role expanded as he took on a broader national scope, providing strategic leadership for the Corporate Affairs teams across the country.
Notably, Odenigbo played an instrumental role in the implementation of Nigerian Breweries’ 2024 Business Recovery Plan, which saw the company successfully navigate a challenging period without business disruption or negative media attention. His leadership in stakeholder engagement and communication was pivotal to achieving these results.
Strategic Leadership in Burundi
As part of his professional development, Odenigbo was selected for a Short Term Assignment (STA) in Burundi, where he served as the Corporate Affairs Director for Brarudi, Heineken’s subsidiary in the country. From July 2024 to March 2025, he led the company’s corporate affairs efforts, driving a reputation campaign centered on sustainability and internal communications. His work positively impacted the company’s climate scores and supported advocacy efforts related to tax harmonization in the East African Community (EAC) region. He also contributed to the Optimal Business Climate agenda, which promoted export and local sourcing.
During his tenure in Burundi, Odenigbo further strengthened the Corporate Affairs team and operationalized a new 2025 Corporate Affairs playbook, positioning the team for continued success in the years to come.
Educational Background and Personal Interests
Odenigbo holds an MBA and a PhD in Mass Communications. His passion lies in building emotional connections, exploring new frontiers, and living an active lifestyle—values he plans to bring into his new role at Nigerian Breweries.
About Nigerian Breweries Plc
A subsidiary of the HEINEKEN Group, Nigerian Breweries Plc has been a pioneer in Nigeria’s brewing industry since its inception in 1946. The company made history in 1949 with the production of the first STAR Lager beer. Today, Nigerian Breweries boasts a diverse portfolio of 19 high-quality brands, including Heineken, Amstel Malta, Maltina, and Fayrouz, which are produced in nine breweries and two malting plants across the country.
In addition to its brewing success, Nigerian Breweries has earned numerous accolades for excellence in areas like product quality, marketing innovation, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability.
