Sahara Names Chidilim Menakaya MD, Sets New Course for ‘Beyond XXX’ Vision

Sahara Names Chidilim Menakaya MD, Sets New Course for ‘Beyond XXX’ Vision

LAGOS, NIGERIA – Sahara has appointed Chidilim Menakaya as its new Managing Director, entrusting her with the responsibility of leading the company into its next phase of growth as it advances its ambitious Beyond XXX vision.

The appointment marks a significant milestone in Sahara’s three-decade journey of delivering energy solutions while pursuing innovation, sustainability and shared value across its markets.

Menakaya is a seasoned transformation and strategy executive with more than two decades of leadership experience spanning Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Before her elevation to the position of Managing Director, she served as Director of the Sahara Foundation, where she provided strategic direction for the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives.

During her tenure at the Foundation, Menakaya played a pivotal role in expanding the reach of Sahara’s EXTRApreneurship model, strengthening strategic partnerships and driving deeper socio-economic impact across communities where the company operates.

Her leadership has also been characterised by collaboration, strategic thinking and a strong focus on people development. She has demonstrated a consistent ability to build high-performing teams, foster innovation and translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes.

Commenting on the appointment, Executive Director, Sahara, Ade Odunsi, said the decision underscored the company’s confidence in purposeful leadership and its commitment to nurturing talent from within.

He said: “For over three decades now, we have remained committed to our vision of bringing energy to life responsibly. Beyond XXX represents our commitment to shaping the future through bold thinking, innovation, sustainability, and shared value creation.

“Chidilim’s appointment reflects these aspirations. We are confident that under her leadership, Sahara will continue to expand the frontiers of impact and create sustainable value for stakeholders across our markets.”

Odunsi added that Menakaya’s appointment further demonstrates Sahara’s determination to build a resilient and future-focused enterprise capable of navigating and thriving in an increasingly dynamic global business environment.

In her new role, Menakaya is expected to provide strategic leadership for the execution of Sahara’s Beyond XXX agenda, strengthen stakeholder value and position the company for sustained growth, innovation and greater global relevance.

Menakaya holds executive and professional qualifications from leading global institutions, including London Business School, INSEAD and Manchester Business School. She is also a certified Human Resources Business Partner, Transformation and Reputation Manager, as well as a Prosci-certified Change Management Practitioner.