Board of Directors - Red Star Express Plc

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
Obabori, Peter Olusola

Non-Executive Director
Koguna, Lawan Sulaiman

Executive Director, Sales and Marketing
Ukwat, Enobong Victor

Executive Director, Finance and Administration
Babura, Badamosi Auwalu

Company Secretary and Head, HR, Learning and Development
Akpomuka, Ndidi Frances

Chairman

Barau, Suleiman (OON)

Suleiman Barau (OON, FCIB, FNIM) took over as Chairman from Dr Mohammed Koguna who retired in October 2018, having served in the same capacity for 26 years.

He was a distinguished Public Servant and a Merchant, Commercial and Central Banker. His over 18 years sojourn as a Public Servant was initially as a Principal Economist with the Nigerian Mining Corporation and subsequently with the Central Bank of Nigeria, as a Special Adviser to the Governor during which time he briefly acted as Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, and then as a two term Deputy Governor before he retired in December 2017.

Before working at the CBN, he had over 17 years banking experience cutting across four banks namely Continental (formerly Chase) Merchant Bank, Bank of the North, UBA and FSB International Bank. He was educated at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Jos and University of Bradford where he acquired Bsc, MSc, post experience and graduate certificates in Economics, Investment Analysis and Management Research.

He attended over 3 dozen courses in major institutions such as Euromoney, Insead, IMD, Wharton, Harvard, Kellogg and Stanford Universities. He is an Alumnus of Harvard Kennedy and IMD Business Schools. He loves Soccer, Car Racing, Railways and Geography.

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer

Obabori, Peter Olusola

Sola Obabori is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

An astute management professional with long and outstanding Sales and Marketing career with an accounting and finance background, he traversed different spheres in the industry, making landmark contributions in the areas of Customer Service and Business Development, Logistics, Warehousing and Freight.

He was previously the General Manager/Chief Operating Officer of Red Star Logistics Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Red Star Express Plc.

He joined the services of the organization in 1999. At various times, he served as the group’s Assistant General Manager in charge of Strategy and Business Development for over five years and later as Deputy General Manager Sales with the responsibility for the national sales management.

Sola has a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Hons) degree in Accounting, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Business Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He is an alumnus of several advanced management and leadership programmes from world-class institutions including -The School of Business Leadership of the University of South Africa, McGill Executive Institute, Canada; Lagos Business School, Nigeria; Harvard Business School, USA; Haas Business School of the University of California, Berkeley, USA; The University of Westminster, United Kingdom and FedEx Purple Academy, Belgium where he excelled as the Purple Star Award Winner in 2006.

He is a member of the 2016 FedEx GSP 3 class, Memphis, USA and a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD). He is also an Associate member of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (Chartered) and a Fellow of the Institute of Business Development.

Non-Executive Director

Bichi, Umar Sule

Sule Umar Bichi is a graduate of Accounting from Bayero University, Kano. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and Institute of Directors of Nigeria (FIoD). He also holds a Masters Degree (M.Sc.) in Economics from the Lagos State University and is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School..

Prior to his appointment as Non Executive director, he was Managing Director/CEO of Red Star Express Plc. for nine (9) years, until expiration of his contracts in August 2016.

Mr. Bichi is currently Managing Director of Madinka Ventures Limited and Chairman Audit and Risk Committee of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria.

Non-Executive Director

Dangana, Aminu

Aminu Dangana is a professional management consultant and financial adviser.

A graduate of Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; a holder of Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Bayero University, Kano; an Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers; Member, Nigeria Institute of Management; Member, Nigerian Economic Society; Member, Institute of Investment Management & Research; Member Commodity Brokers Association of Nigeria, among others and has served in various capacities within the private and public sectors.

Non-Executive Director

Koguna, Lawan Sulaiman

Mr. Koguna is a graduate of Economics from the Eastern Mediterranean University Cyprus and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance and Management from Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK. He is an experienced Insurance professional and a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute UK.

He was a Council member of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON). He is the Executive Director, Marketing, Koguna Babura Insurance Brokers Limited. He is also Founder/Director e-Insurance Solutions Centre Limited, e-Training Institute and e-Island Solutions Limited.

Non-Executive Director

Sideso, Chioma

Chioma Sideso is a proven visionary and strategic business leader. She holds an LL.B from the University of Kent, Canterbury, MBA in Business Administration, and has attended various local and international trainings.

She commenced her professional career with Marks and Spencer Plc, UK between Jan 1999 – Jan 2001. She joined Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group, UK in Jan 2001 and was there till April 2002, before moving to Barclay’s Bank, UK from April 2002 to Nov 2003. She assumed the position of President ADIC Insurance Ltd in November 2006. She also served as Managing Director of NSIA Insurance Ltd.

Executive Director, Sales and Marketing

Ukwat, Enobong Victor

Victor Ukwat is the Executive Director, Sales and Marketing.

A resourceful professional with strong expertise in revenue expansion and cost reduction through building of competitive corporate brands, he is passionate about excellent service delivery, building and motivating dynamic teams and creating revenue opportunities.

Victor joined Red Star Express in 1997 and has over the years worked in various capacities. He has previously led teams in Business Development, Key Accounts, National Sales, Operations, Marketing and Corporate Communication.

Victor Ukwat holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science (B.Sc) from the University of Calabar, Master in Science from the University of Ibadan and a Master in Business Administration from the Lagos Business School.

He is an alumnus of Senior Entrepreneurship, Management and Leadership Programmes from some Global best institutions, including FedEx Purple Academy Brussel, IESE Business School (Spain), Harvard Business School (USA), Columbia Business School New York , University of Wisconsin (USA) and most recently, Schulich Business School, Toronto Canada.

He is also a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD).

Executive Director, Finance and Administration

Babura, Badamosi Auwalu

Auwalu Badamasi Babura is the Executive Director, Finance, and Administration.

He was formerly the Head of Internal Audit and Quality Assurance. He is a highly motivated and result oriented financial expert with over 20 years of invaluable experience in numerous financial and accounting fields, including financial analysis and forecast, budget preparations and implementations and monitoring key controls of processes.

He holds a first Degree in Accounting (B.Sc) from Bayero University Kano and an MBA in Business Administration (MBA) from the Lagos State University.

He joined Red Star Express in 1994 and has served in various capacities including as Head of Internal Control and Processes, Head of Treasury and Accounts, Group Accountant, Group Treasurer, Credit Controller among others.

He has attended various training programs cutting across Controls, Planning, and Risks& Leadership amongst others both locally and abroad.

He is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School, Senior Management Program and also an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is also a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD).

Company Secretary and Head, HR, Learning and Development

Akpomuka, Ndidi Frances

Frances Ndidi Akpomuka is the Company Secretary and Head, HR, Learning, and Development for the group.

She graduated with a Law Degree in 1998 from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2000. She began her professional career as an Associate with the Law Firm of Yemi Peters & Associates, where she garnered experience in Litigation, Legal Drafting, Negotiation, Mediation and Conciliation, as well as Corporate and Commercial Law Practice.

Prior to joining Red Star Express in 2006 as Legal Adviser and subsequent appointment as Company Secretary in 2007, she was Legal Officer with Assurance Bank Nigeria Limited for three (3) years.She has attended various training programs on Banking Operations, Fraud and Forgeries, Corporate Governance, Company Direction and Board Effectiveness amongst others.

She is a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association as well as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria.