BUA Foods Plc has named Isyaku Abdulsamad “Khalifa” Rabiu as its Chief Officer for Global Procurement and Strategic Operations, signaling a sharper focus on cost control, supply-chain resilience, and scalable growth.
The appointment takes effect on January 29, 2026, according to a company statement. Rabiu will lead global procurement activities while steering operational strategies aimed at boosting efficiency across the business.
Importantly, the move reflects BUA Foods’ transition from consolidation to disciplined expansion across its key food segments. These include flour, pasta, rice, and animal feed.
Before joining BUA Foods, Rabiu served as Director of Special Operations at BUA Group. In that role, he led transformation projects across food, cement, and feed businesses. He also strengthened supplier partnerships and improved procurement structures.
Notably, Rabiu played a critical role in strategic raw-material sourcing, with a strong focus on wheat procurement. He also led the establishment of a 40-metric-tonne-per-hour animal feed mill, boosting production capacity.
In addition, he helped reintroduce BUA rice products into Nigeria’s consumer market. He further oversaw the deployment of proprietary digital platforms across BUA Foods’ operations, improving coordination and visibility.
“As BUA Foods enters the next phase of its transformation, we are pleased to welcome Khalifa to our leadership team,” said Ayodele Abioye, Managing Director of BUA Foods.
According to Abioye, Rabiu’s experience in global procurement and strategic operations will strengthen supply chains and improve operational efficiency.
Meanwhile, supply-chain management has become a top priority for Nigerian food manufacturers. Over the past two years, companies have faced currency volatility, rising input costs, and logistics disruptions. As a result, firms are reworking procurement models to protect margins and stabilize output.
Rabiu said he plans to introduce agile and sustainable procurement systems that support long-term growth.
“I am excited to take on this role at a defining moment for BUA Foods,” he said. “I look forward to advancing procurement and operational strategies that align with the company’s long-term goals.”
Rabiu holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Regent’s University London and a master’s degree in Management from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
BUA Foods, controlled by billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu, has expanded aggressively in recent years. The company has invested heavily in backward integration and capacity expansion to reduce import dependence and manage costs.
Ultimately, this appointment underscores a renewed emphasis on execution, governance, and sustainable growth as BUA Foods positions itself for its next expansion cycle.
