Board of Directors

Chairman

Barau, Suleiman (OON, fcib, fnim)

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

Babura, Badamasi Auwalu (FCA)

Auwalu Badamasi Babura is the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Red Star Express Plc, a listing member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

An accomplished, versatile, innovative, highly motivated, and result-oriented financial expert, with proven track records of managing organizational resources and delivering sustainable financial results. Reliable Business Executive with unique competencies in Finance and Customer management.

Auwalu joined Red Star Express in 1994 and has served in various capacities, leading teams in Finance, Internal Control and Processes Management, Credit Management, and Administration.

Auwalu holds a first Degree in Accounting (B.Sc.) from Bayero University Kano, an MBA in Business Administration (MBA) from the Lagos State University, and a Mini MBA from London School of Business and Finance.

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

He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD). He is also an alumnus of Lagos Business School and The London School of Economics.

Group Executive Director, Sales and Marketing

Ejekam, Charles Uche (FNIMN)

Non-Executive Director

Koguna, Lawan Sulaiman

Non-Executive Director

Peter Surulere Aletor

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.

Non-Executive Director

Ndu, Chukwuemeka

Head Group, Operations / Company Secretary

Akpomuka, Ndidi Frances

As the Head, Group Operations and Company Secretary at Red Star Express, Frances and her team provide advice and counsel on all issues relevant to the registry business, including marketing, products, policy and technology service, and also tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operational functions of the business.

Prior to joining Red Star Express in 2006 as a Legal Adviser and subsequent appointment as Company Secretary in 2007, she was a 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 among others.

Since joining Red Star Express, Frances has drafted and negotiated the company’s key agreements and has provided strategic legal advice to executive leadership on all matters pertaining to the registry business, and most recently served as the Head, Corporate Resources.

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.

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