Unilever Nigeria appoints Ibrahim Sodipe as Executive Director

NIGERIA – Unilever Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of the global Unilever group, has announced the appointment of Mr. Ibrahim Sodipe as Executive Director, effective July 1, 2025.

The company made this disclosure in an official statement to the Nigerian Exchange and the investing public.

According to the company, Ibrahim will help to shape the business strategy as well as portfolio expansion.

Sodipe brings over 13 years of diverse experience spanning financial reporting, internal controls, supply chain finance, forecasting and planning, commercial finance, and global audit. 

The board stated, “Ibrahim has been pivotal in driving business profitability and has helped enshrine this winning mentality in the business.”

“He is very passionate about serving the consumer needs with the best brands while driving profitable business growth underpinned with strong controls and talent development.” 

Over the last five years, he has held key positions within the Unilever group, including Financial Controller for Unilever Maghreb, which covers Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, and Commercial Finance Business Partner for West Africa. 

Most recently, he served as Head of Finance at Unilever Ethiopia, where he was credited with driving business profitability and implementing transformational changes across West and North Africa.

Before joining Unilever, Sodipe worked with Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited and SIAO, gaining valuable experience in the financial services sector. 

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the University of Lagos and is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), an internationally recognized accounting body.

Sodipe joins a diverse and experienced board at Unilever Nigeria Plc, which includes Mr. Tobi Adeniyi as Managing Director, Mr. Bolaji Balogun as Chairman, and other independent and non-executive directors.

Unilever nominates Peter ter Kulve as CEO of ice cream division

Recently, London-based Unilever has nominated Peter ter Kulve as its preferred candidate to head the Magnum Ice Cream Company, the group’s ice cream division.

A spokesperson at Unilever stated that Ter Kulve is expected to receive approval from the Unilever board in July 2025 for his appointment as CEO of the Magnum Ice Cream Company.

Ter Kulve, currently the president of the ice cream business, will become CEO of the Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), which is expected to list in Amsterdam by the end of the year.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is home to six of the world’s top 10 ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry’s, which has been publicly at odds with Ter Kulve and its parent company in recent years over its stance on the war in Gaza.

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