The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Rite Foods Limited, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, has been honoured as the Most Influential FMCG Executive of the Year by the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD).
The recognition was announced at the 2025 MIPAD End-of-Year Dinner & Awards held in Victoria Island, Lagos, where global business leaders, policymakers and industry influencers gathered to celebrate excellence and impact across Africa’s corporate ecosystem.
MIPAD said the award was conferred on Adegunwa in recognition of his transformational leadership, brand innovation and contribution to Africa’s fast-moving consumer goods sector.
According to the organisers, Adegunwa’s leadership philosophy has strengthened Rite Foods’ competitive position in the Nigerian market, with the company expanding its footprint through its flagship brands including Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Table Water, Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink and its Bigi and Rite Sausage Roll ranges.
Co-Founder of MIPAD, Tope Esan, said the recognition aligns with the platform’s mission of spotlighting Africans and people of African descent who are shaping industries and inspiring a new generation of leaders.
“Adegunwa’s work reflects excellence, innovation and business resilience — qualities that continue to inspire emerging executives across the continent,” Esan stated.
MIPAD, a global civil society initiative in support of the UN International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2034), has previously recognised distinguished global figures including Barack Obama, Trevor Noah, Mia Mottley, Lewis Hamilton, Chimamanda Adichie and Usain Bolt.
Under Adegunwa’s watch, Rite Foods has continued to win both market share and industry recognition. The company recently emerged winner of three awards at the 2025 Edge Awards, including: Outstanding Carbonated Soft Drink Brand — Bigi Apple, Outstanding Sausage Brand — Bigi Beef Sausage Roll and Outstanding FMCG Corporate Brand — Rite Foods Limited.
Industry analysts say the latest MIPAD award reinforces Rite Foods’ rising profile as one of Nigeria’s most competitive homegrown FMCG brands, driven by strategic innovation, youth-focused brand engagement and sustained investment in local manufacturing.
The honour, stakeholders note, further strengthens the company’s positioning in the regional marketplace, while spotlighting Adegunwa as one of the leading business executives shaping Africa’s consumer market narrative.