Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nigeria’s foremost brewing company, has announced the early retirement of Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi, its Sales Director, effective 10 November, 2026, following more than two decades of distinguished service to Nigerian Breweries and HEINEKEN.
In a statement signed by Nigerian Breweries Plc Managing Director Mr. Thibaut Boidin, the company said Oriakhi has decided to retire early after a career marked by consistent leadership, innovation and people development.
Emmanuel joined Nigerian Breweries in 2003 as a Commercial Management Trainee. From 2003 to 2014, he worked in increasingly senior roles across the company’s Marketing and Commercial functions before taking an international assignment as Manager, Business Development, Heineken® Global Commerce (AMEE) from 2015 to 2018.
He was appointed Director, Marketing, Nigerian Breweries in September 2018, where he led successful innovations, including Desperados, Zagg, Legend Twist, Goldberg Black, and Heineken 45cl.
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Under his leadership, Nigeria won the Global Commerce Commercial Excellence Award, underscoring the impact of his marketing leadership on the global stage.
After six (6) years of leading the Marketing and Innovation team, Emmanuel was appointed Sales Director in March 2025, where he has advanced trade execution, sales capabilities, and productivity.
Emmanuel has also been a committed people leader, creating opportunities for talent to grow through stretch assignments, regional and global exposure, and continuous learning.
His advocacy for Women in Sales, inclusion, and Safety helped shape a stronger and more future-ready Sales organisation.
“We thank Emmanuel for his leadership, dedication and contributions to Nigerian Breweries and HEINEKEN. Please join us in wishing him and his family every success for the future,” Boidin said.
The company disclosed that Emmanuel’s successor will be announced in due course. In the interim, the Sales Leadership Team will report to the Managing Director.
PROFILE: A CAREER OF IMPACT
Emmanuel Oriakhi is a senior commercial and marketing executive whose career illustrates sustained progression in commercial leadership within the beverage industry.
He has managed major Nigerian Breweries brands, including Maltina, Gulder and Heineken, and subsequently took on regional responsibilities as Business Development Manager for Heineken Global Commerce, covering Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
With academic credentials including a master’s degree in Global Management from the University of Salford and executive management training at IMD Switzerland and Harvard Business School, Oriakhi was appointed Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries in 2018 and later moved into the Sales Director role in 2025.
His marketing leadership that spans Nigeria, Africa and the world earned him recognition as one of The Industry Newspaper’s Top 50 Men of Impact 2026.
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