British American Tobacco Nigeria appoints Owojaiye as head of regulatory affairs

Ruth Owojaiye has been appointed as Director of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs by British American Tobacco Nigeria, a move aimed at bolstering governance, regulatory engagement, and sustainable business practices within the company.

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This new role will see Owojaiye providing strategic direction across various departments, including government relations, public policy, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and corporate communications, according to the company.

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Prior to her appointment, Owojaiye served as Head of Regulatory Engagements for BAT West and Central Africa, bringing a wealth of experience to her new position.

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Managing Director of BAT Nigeria, Yarub Al-Bahrani, has expressed the company's commitment to reinforcing its leadership in corporate governance and regulatory affairs, citing Owojaiye's appointment as a key reflection of this commitment.

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Al-Bahrani praised Owojaiye's depth of experience, strategic insight, and ability to navigate complex policy environments, stating that these qualities make her well-suited to lead the company's Corporate and Regulatory Affairs function at a critical time.

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Owojaiye's role will be crucial in protecting BAT Nigeria's licence to operate, strengthening its corporate reputation, and advancing its environmental, social, and governance priorities, according to the company.

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In response to her appointment, Owojaiye expressed her intention to work collaboratively with stakeholders across sectors to promote balanced regulation, deepen engagement, and support a business environment that enables mutually beneficial outcomes.

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Owojaiye brings over two decades of experience to the table, with expertise in taxation, public policy, legal and regulatory compliance, and external affairs, spanning both manufacturing and consulting industries.

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Her experience includes contributing to the shaping of regulatory frameworks for fast-moving consumer goods and emerging product categories in Nigeria and internationally.

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Before joining BAT Nigeria, Owojaiye held senior positions at Nigerian Breweries Plc, where she played a major role in the merger between Nigerian Breweries Plc and Consolidated Breweries Plc, among other achievements.

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She also previously worked at KPMG Nigeria, leading tax advisory engagements and supporting multinational consumer brands entering the Nigerian market.

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Owojaiye holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ilorin, a Master of Laws degree from the University of Pretoria, and an MBA from Lagos Business School, where she graduated as the best student in 2025.

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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, and the Nigerian Institute of Management, among others.

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Owojaiye remains committed to mentoring and supporting the development of young professionals within and outside the organisation, according to BAT Nigeria.