Tag: BUA Group

BUA Group has shared N30 billion in cash awards to 510 loyal employees—one of the largest single employee reward programmes ever undertaken by a private sector company in Nigeria.

At its 2025 Night of Excellence and Long Service Awards, But beyond the numbers lies a deeper business narrative about culture, continuity and competitive advantage in an economy where skilled talent retention has become increasingly difficult.

The awards recognised employees whose service spans from five years to more than four decades, honouring loyalty, resilience and exceptional contribution across BUA’s sprawling operations. From cement plants and sugar refineries to food manufacturing, logistics and infrastructure assets, the message was unambiguous: enduring enterprises are built by people who stay the course.

Founded in 1988, BUA Group has grown from modest beginnings into one of Africa’s most diversified industrial groups, with core interests in cement, sugar, flour, pasta, steel, rice, real estate, ports and terminals, construction and energy. Today, its listed entities command a combined market capitalisation running into trillions of naira—an outcome, the company insists, rooted as much in human capital as in financial investment.

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Speaking at the ceremony, Founder and Executive Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu framed the evening as recognition of shared ownership in the BUA journey.

 He recalled that while capital, strategy and governance matter, none of BUA’s milestones would have been possible without employees who believed in the vision long before success became visible.

“Every factory built, every system strengthened, every challenge overcome, and every milestone reached carries the imprint of employees who believed in the vision long before the results were visible,” Rabiu said.

Of the N30 billion disbursed, 41 employees in the highest award categories received their cheques physically from the Chairman during the event, due to time constraints. These awards ranged from N100 million to N1 billion, underscoring the Group’s willingness to recognise loyalty in tangible, life-changing terms. Sixteen employees received N100 million each, nine received N200 million, seven received N250 million, and three received N500 million, while five employees walked away with N1 billion each.

A special award, whose cash value was not disclosed at the event, was presented to Kabiru Rabiu in recognition of his exceptional loyalty, leadership and long-standing contribution to the growth and stability of the Group.

The remaining awardees had already received—or will receive—their plaques and cheques at their various plants and operational locations nationwide, reinforcing the Group’s decentralised and inclusive culture.

Rabiu was quick to note that the cash awards, however substantial, remain symbolic. “No amount of money can fully account for decades of dedication, personal sacrifice and belief in the company’s mission,” he said. Still, in a labour market marked by rising emigration, skills shortages and disengagement, the gesture sends a powerful signal.

From a business perspective, the awards also serve a strategic function. By institutionalising long-term rewards, BUA is effectively locking in institutional memory, strengthening loyalty and reinforcing a performance culture that aligns individual success with corporate growth. It is a model of shared prosperity that contrasts sharply with short-term profit-maximisation approaches prevalent in many emerging markets.

Looking ahead, Rabiu said the Group would continue to expand capacity, invest in advanced technologies and deepen its footprint across cement, food, sugar and infrastructure. Crucially, he added, the people who built BUA would continue to grow with it.

The Night of Excellence and Long Service Awards, now a defining element of BUA Group’s culture, reflects an organisation betting that respect for people, long-term thinking and shared rewards are not just moral choices—but sound business strategy.

As part of its ongoing commitment to national development and regional inclusion, BUA Group has officially handed over a fully equipped multi-purpose building to the newly created North-West Development Commission (NWDC) to serve as its temporary headquarters in Kano State.

The handover ceremony, held at the donated facility on Court Road, Kano, was attended by dignitaries from both the public and private sectors, including representatives of the Commission, community leaders, and officials of BUA Group.

Speaking at the event on behalf of the Founder and Executive Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Khalifa Abdul Samad Rabiu described the donation as a symbolic and practical expression of BUA’s belief in transformational partnerships between the private sector and public institutions.

“At BUA, we believe inclusive development starts with providing institutions the tools to succeed. This gesture by my father and Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, is more than just bricks and mortar. For us at BUA, this donation is about laying a foundation for people-centred growth in the North-West to support President Bola Tinubu’s regional development drive under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” said Khalifa Abdul Samad Rabiu.

Chairman of the NWDC, Alhaji Lawal Sama’ila Abdullahi, expressed profound gratitude to BUA Group for the timely support, noting that the facility would provide the Commission with the operational footing it needs to kickstart its mandate of fast-tracking infrastructure and economic growth in the region.

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“This support from BUA is not just generous—it is strategic. It gives us the necessary momentum as we commence the Commission’s work to transform lives and unlock the immense potential of the North-West,” he said.

This donation builds on a growing wave of support for the newly established Commission as it complements the Kano State government’s earlier contribution of a ₦3 billion land parcel for the Commission’s permanent headquarters.

Through this handover, BUA Group reaffirms its enduring dedication to public-private collaboration as a cornerstone of sustainable development in Nigeria. Oyetola seeks France’s support for Nigeria’s IMO council bid

The BUA Group said it has commenced the development of a 700-ton-per-day (700TPD), 45mmscf Mini-LNG Plant in Kogi State, with a groundbreaking ceremony held in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

Speaking at the event, the Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Rabiu, said: “This LNG plant, which we are doing the groundbreaking today, upon completion, will ensure that BUA’s captive power plants are provided with much-needed gas with limited supply downtime, thus enhancing our production and manufacturing capacity while positioning BUA to be fully integrated into the value chain of our energy supply operations.”

He stated that the project is a win-win for Nigeria and is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision and promoting gas usage for cleaner energy.

NNPC will provide critical gas feedstock for a 10 per cent stake in the plant, and BUA will provide 100 per cent financing while driving execution.

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This is a testament that public-private partnerships under the right government policies can deliver transformative results.

He added that the BUA LNG plant will ensure cost efficiency, supply stability, and sustainability for its operations while reinforcing Nigeria’s industrial future.

The plant, located in Ajaokuta, will be sited on a land area of about 16 hectare and primarily serve BUA’s captive power plants across its manufacturing businesses in the country and provide gas for other uses within Nigeria. This Rabiu explained, is geared towards operational efficiency in alignment with the national energy transition initiative.

The GCEO NNPC, Mele K. Kyari, in his speech stated that it is rightly timed to have these 5 mini-LNG plants in Kogi State of which BUA LNG is one, considering its strategic location at the crossroads of Nigeria’s North and South, in Ajaokuta, Kogi State

BUA Group is expanding its exploits in cement production in Edo State through its subsidiary, BUA Cement, with plans to push output to 20MMT by 2027. Group Business Editor SIMEON EBULU writes on how the expansion transcends the social strata.

In the quiet, lush landscapes of Okpella, Edo State, a visible transformation is underway. Once a sleepy community, it has become a bustling centre of industrial activity, with BUA Cement Plants at its heart. This is not just a story of cement production; it is a saga of growth, resilience, and an enduring partnership between BUA Cement PLC and the resilient people of Edo State.

It all began in 2008, when BUA Group, under the leadership of Abdul Samad Rabiu, acquired the struggling Edo Cement Company during Nigeria’s divestment and privatisation exercise.

The Edo Cement plant was barely functional, with antiquated equipment and limited output. BUA Group took the initiative in acquiring the struggling Edo Cement Company. At the time, the plant was operating well below capacity, saddled with outdated equipment, limited output and grossly inefficient.

For many, it was a symbol of lost potential, but not so for BUA Group, pioneered by Abdul Samad Rabiu. For BUA Cement, a subsidiary of the larger umbrella BUA GROUP, it was an opportunity to redefine what was possible for Edo State’s industrial landscape – a chance to turn it into a powerhouse.

By 2015, after investing over $1 billion, the first line of the Obu Cement Plant was operational, and it quickly became one of Africa’s most advanced cement facilities.

Since then, the company’s financial fortunes have mirrored its operational growth. In 2019, BUA Cement consolidated its operations by merging its subsidiaries, including the Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) and Obu Cement Company. The merger streamlined operations and positioned BUA Cement as Nigeria’s second-largest cement producer.

In January 2020, BUA Cement was listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) with an initial market capitalisation of N1.18 trillion. The listing unlocked access to capital markets, enabling BUA Cement to fund expansions and further strengthen its balance sheet.

Today, BUA Cement’s financial performance speaks volume. Despite challenges in Nigeria’s broader economic landscape, the company has consistently delivered strong revenue growth and profitability. In the most recent fiscal year, BUA Cement reported revenues exceeding N300 billion, driven by increased production capacity and robust demand for cement in Nigeria’s booming construction sector.

While BUA Cement’s financial success is impressive, Rabiu said, its contributions to Edo State’s economy go far beyond corporate earnings. According to him,  it’s one of the state’s largest taxpayers, significantly contributing to it’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Renewed partnership

The BUA Group chair recalled that the company’s success so far in Edo State hasn’t been without challenges, saying there have been disputes over ownership, royalties, and mining leases, which led to legal battles that threatened to overshadow the company’s contributions.

These disputes, in his words, “culminated in the 2019 Terms of Settlement,” which he tagged, “a landmark agreement that resolved all outstanding issues and paved the way for collaboration.

“Under the settlement, BUA Cement agreed to pay N5 billion in total, including an upfront payment of N2 billion and six monthly installments of N500 million. The company also purchased the remaining shares in Edo Cement from minority stakeholders, thus consolidating its ownership.”

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In corroborating this, a government official who asked that his identity be veiled, said: “This settlement wasn’t just about resolving disputes, it was about setting the stage for growth for BUA, Edo State and our people.”

For years, legal battles cast a shadow over what was otherwise a story of progress. The 2019 Terms of Settlement with the Edo State Government, entered into judgment by the courts, ended years of litigation and legal battles. These payments were not merely obligations; they became the foundation for renewed trust and collaboration.

The settlement not only resolved the disputes, but also bolstered the state’s fiscal capacity, enabling investments in infrastructure, healthcare and education which have culminated into tremendous benefits to the community at large.

Job creation

BUA Cement’s impact goes far beyond the balance sheet. For the people of Okpella and Edo State, it has meant jobs, empowerment, and a sense of belonging, resulting in over 2,000 people directly employed by the company, and thousands more benefiting indirectly.

A community leader, who requested not to be identified, said: “BUA is not just a company, it’s a partner in our growth. We have a community development agreement with them which they faithfully keep to,” adding that “BUA’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts have also transformed the community.”The communal leader said roads that were once impassable now connect villages and markets, schools have been renovated, scholarships awarded and health centers established.

 “Clean water, once a luxury, now flows in homes across Okpella. Additionally, BUA Cement has initiated programs to support local entrepreneurs, promote education, and improve healthcare facilities in the region.’’

On inquisition, a senior company official said: “We don’t just produce cement here, we build communities.”

Going forward

Beyond meeting production targets and enhancing financial layout, BUA Cement envisions its role as a partner in Edo State’s progress. As Rabiu posited: “We’re not just here to do business, we’re here to build a future, where Edo State thrives alongside us, a future that we are committed to shaping and nurturing.

 “As Nigeria’s infrastructure needs grow, so does the role of BUA Cement,” Rabiu stressed, stating that “plans are already underway to expand production capacity to 20 million metric tonnes per annum by 2027, a move that will create even more jobs and economic opportunities.

 “But expansion isn’t just about scaling up; it’s about doing so responsibly. Environmental sustainability remains a priority, with investments in cleaner energy and advanced technologies to reduce emissions, minimise ecological footprint, and ensure its operations align with global sustainability standards.

 “We see Edo State as a partner, not just a location for our business. Our investment here is long-term, we want to grow together, to ensure that our success translates to prosperity for everyone—government, communities and businesses alike.” he stated.

For residents of Okpella and beyond, Rabiu assured that “BUA Cement is more than a corporate giant; it’s a neighbour, a partner, and a symbol of what is possible when business and community grow together,” pointing out that “with its strong financial foundation, unwavering commitment to development and vision for the future, BUA Cement is not just producing cement, it’s building the foundations of prosperity in Edo State.”

He said: “For Edo State Government, the relationship with BUA Cement represents a model for how public and private sectors can collaborate for mutual benefit. While the challenges of the past cannot be forgotten, they serve as a reminder of what can be achieved when both sides commit to a shared vision.”

As Okpella continues to grow, the story of BUA Cement is a powerful example of what is possible when vision meets partnership. It’s not just about the cement; it’s about building a future where industry and community thrive side by side.

For the people of Edo State, Rabiu said, BUA Cement is more than a business, it’s a beacon of what progress can look like, and as the company looks to the future, one thing is clear: its commitment to Edo State remains unshaken.

Together, we will continue to write a story of resilience, growth and shared success, Abdul Samad Rabiu said.

BUA Group has signed an agreement with Starlinger & Company Limited of Austria, a leading global supplier of machinery for the production of packaging materials, in a strategic move to expand into the production of high-quality packaging materials.

The state-of-the-art packaging production facility will have the capacity to produce an impressive 600 million polypropylene (PP) block-bottom bags per annum.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Founder and Executive Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu said the new business segment would enable BUA Group to diversify its product offerings to meet the growing demand for sustainable innovative packaging solutions across its entire business amidst its rapid expansion efforts.

He noted that the agreement marked Starlinger’s largest contract in Africa and its second-largest worldwide, showcasing the scale and significance of the partnership.

“As we focus on securing the future of our business through innovative investments, having our own packaging unit becomes imperative. This facility will meet the packaging needs of our various factories, including cement, sugar, and flour, and support future expansion plans,” Rabiu said.

He added that by leveraging its extensive manufacturing expertise, the group aims to set new industry standards for sustainability, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

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He reassured that the BUA Group remains steadfast in its mission to invest in cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, driving operational efficiency and delivering exceptional products to its customers.

Chief Executive Officer, Starlinger & Co Limited, Harald Neumuller, expressed enthusiasm for the business partnership.

He said: “We are honoured to collaborate with BUA Group, a distinguished conglomerate with remarkable achievements. This project reflects our commitment to delivering industrial packaging solutions tailored to BUA Group’s diverse operations. We look forward to a successful partnership”.