BAT Nigeria names Owojaiye regulatory affairs director
May 15, 2026 2:55 am
Director of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, BATN, Ruth Owojaiye
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British American Tobacco Nigeria has appointed Ruth Owojaiye as Director of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs as the company seeks to strengthen governance, regulatory engagement and sustainable business practices.
In a statement, the company said Owojaiye would provide strategic direction across government relations, public policy, sustainability, stakeholder engagement and corporate communications in her new role. Before the appointment, she served as Head of Regulatory Engagements for BAT West and Central Africa.
Commenting on the appointment, Managing Director of BAT Nigeria, Yarub Al-Bahrani, said the company remained committed to reinforcing its leadership in corporate governance and regulatory affairs.
He said, “Ruth’s appointment reflects our continued commitment to strengthening our leadership in regulatory engagement, corporate governance, and sustainable business practices. Her depth of experience, strategic insight, and proven ability to navigate complex policy environments make her well-positioned to lead our Corporate and Regulatory Affairs function at a critical time for our business and the industry.”
According to the company, Owojaiye will play a key role in protecting BAT Nigeria’s licence to operate, strengthening its corporate reputation and advancing its environmental, social and governance priorities.
Speaking on her appointment, Owojaiye said she would work with stakeholders across sectors to support constructive engagement and balanced regulation.
“I am honoured to assume this role at such a pivotal time for business, regulation, and sustainability. I look forward to working collaboratively with stakeholders across sectors to promote balanced regulation, deepen engagement, strengthen constructive dialogue and support a business environment that enables mutually beneficial outcomes for government and business and long-term value creation,” she said.
The company said Owojaiye has more than two decades of experience spanning manufacturing and consulting, with expertise in taxation, public policy, legal and regulatory compliance and external affairs. It added that she had contributed to shaping regulatory frameworks for fast-moving consumer goods and emerging product categories in Nigeria and internationally.
Before joining BAT Nigeria, Owojaiye held senior positions at Nigerian Breweries Plc, where she served as Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager and Group Tax Manager. The company said she played a major role in the merger between Nigerian Breweries Plc and Consolidated Breweries Plc while also contributing to landmark Tax Appeal Tribunal cases and securing tax holiday approvals. She also previously worked at KPMG Nigeria, where she led tax advisory engagements and supported multinational consumer brands entering the Nigerian market.
Owojaiye holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ilorin, where she graduated as the best student in 2003. She also obtained a Master of Laws degree from the University of Pretoria in 2007 and earned an MBA from Lagos Business School, where she graduated as the best student in 2025. She is a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
BAT Nigeria added that Owojaiye remains committed to mentoring and supporting the development of young professionals within and outside the organisation.
Arinze Nwafor is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s economy, industry, data, metro, and judiciary. He focuses on highlighting growth, policy, and market challenges shaping Africa’s largest economy. Arinze’s reporting reflects practical newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate, informative, and audience-focused journalism.
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