BUA awards staff ₦30bn in one of Nigeria’s largest corporate reward schemes
Story by Mercy Adaje
BUA Group has distributed a total of ₦30 billion in cash rewards to 510 employees during its 2025 Night of Excellence and Long Service Awards, marking what the company described as one of the most substantial staff reward initiatives ever undertaken by a Nigerian private sector organisation.
The ceremony, held on Saturday, recognised employees whose years of service range from five years to over four decades, celebrating loyalty, long-term commitment and outstanding performance across the Group’s various operations.
Speaking at the event, BUA Founder and Executive Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu said the awards were designed to honour individuals whose dedication played a critical role in building the company over the years.
Rabiu reflected on BUA’s journey from its humble beginnings more than 36 years ago to its current status as one of Nigeria’s most valuable publicly listed companies, with a combined market capitalisation now in the trillions of naira. He emphasised that the company’s achievements were driven not merely by capital or boardroom strategies, but by employees who remained committed long before success became visible.
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According to him, BUA’s growth, spanning factory development, system improvements and the successful navigation of challenges, has been sustained by workers who embraced the company’s vision and supported its expansion through different phases.
As part of the 2025 awards, ₦30 billion was disbursed to 510 recipients across long service and excellence categories. Due to time constraints, only 41 of the highest-tier awardees received their cheques and plaques on stage from the Chairman. Individual awards in these categories ranged from ₦100 million to ₦1 billion.
A breakdown of the on-stage awards showed that 16 employees received ₦100 million each, nine were awarded ₦200 million each, seven received ₦250 million each, three took home ₦500 million each, while five employees were rewarded with ₦1 billion each. A special recognition was also presented to Kabiru Rabiu for exceptional loyalty, leadership and long-standing contributions to the Group’s growth and stability, although the monetary value of that award was not disclosed.
BUA noted that many awardees had already received their cheques and plaques before the ceremony, while others would receive theirs at various plants and operational locations across the country.
Rabiu described the financial rewards as symbolic, noting that no monetary gift could fully reflect decades of dedication, sacrifice and belief in the company’s mission. He added that BUA would continue to expand capacity, invest in advanced technology and strengthen its presence across cement, food, sugar and infrastructure sectors, with employees remaining central to its long-term strategy.
The Group said the Night of Excellence and Long Service Awards reflects its corporate culture of shared prosperity and respect for the people who drive the business.
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The event attracted prominent dignitaries and industry leaders, including Aliko Dangote, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Minister of State for Finance Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, and Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa, alongside partners, customers and other stakeholders.
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