Sahara Group Names Chidilim Menakaya MD, Sets Sights on Next Growth Phase
Sahara has appointed transformation and strategy executive Chidilim Menakaya as its new Managing Director, as the energy company moves to deepen its growth, innovation and sustainability agenda under its Beyond XXX vision.
Menakaya’s appointment marks a significant leadership transition for the company and places an executive with more than two decades of experience across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East at the helm of its next phase of development.
She joins the role from the Sahara Foundation, where she served as Director and led the organisation’s sustainability and social impact agenda. During her tenure, the Foundation expanded the reach of Sahara’s EXTRApreneurship model, strengthened strategic partnerships and increased its socio-economic impact across communities in the company’s operating locations.
Her career has been shaped by transformation, strategy, people development and organisational change, with a leadership approach centred on collaboration, innovation and measurable outcomes.
Commenting on the appointment, Ade Odunsi, Executive Director, Sahara, said the decision reflects the company’s confidence in developing purposeful leadership from within.
“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,” he said.
Odunsi added that the appointment reinforces Sahara’s ambition to build a resilient and future-focused enterprise capable of navigating 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, with a focus on growth, stakeholder value creation and strengthening the company’s global relevance.
Her appointment also brings to the role an extensive portfolio of executive and professional training. Menakaya holds qualifications from London Business School, INSEAD and Manchester Business School, alongside professional certifications as a Human Resources Business Partner, Transformation and Reputation Manager, and Prosci-certified Change Management Practitioner.
The leadership change comes as Sahara continues to position its business around a broader vision that connects energy, innovation, sustainability and socio-economic impact, with the company looking to translate its Beyond XXX ambition into its next chapter of growth.
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