By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced a leadership transition that will see Mr. Hans Essaadi conclude his role as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer on June 30, 2025.
The Board has appointed Mr. Thibaut François Baptiste Boidin as his successor, with effect from July 1, 2025.
According to the company’s statement filed with the Nigerian Exchange Group, Mr. Essaadi will also resign from the Board on June 30, 2025, and subsequently assume a new position as Managing Director of HEINEKEN Poland. Essaadi joined the Board and took over as Managing Director/CEO on July 31, 2021.
During his tenure, Nigerian Breweries navigated economic challenges, including foreign exchange constraints, high inflation, and liquidity pressures. Under his leadership, the company implemented a business recovery plan that included a N550 billion Rights Issue, noted as the largest equity capital raise in the Nigerian capital market.
The statement confirmed that Mr. Boidin will take over as Managing Director/CEO from July 1, 2025. Boidin is currently serving as Managing Director of HEINEKEN Romania, one of the group’s largest operations in Eastern Europe.
Boidin joined the HEINEKEN Group in 2017 as Deputy CEO of France Boissons. In 2020, he was appointed Chief Transformation Officer of HEINEKEN France and later became Chief Transformation Officer for HEINEKEN Europe, based in Amsterdam. Before joining HEINEKEN, Boidin served as an Officer in the French Armed Forces across various continents and later held senior and executive roles in French companies, including Elis and Veolia.
In the announcement, the Board noted that Mr. Boidin’s experience will support the company’s next phase.
“The Board is pleased to have Mr. Boidin as the incoming Managing Director/CEO of the Company. His vast experience will be valuable to the growth and progress of the Company,” the statement said.