Ujunwa Chukwumah has taken over as General Manager, West Africa at Reckitt, bringing more than 19 years of commercial and leadership experience across Africa to the consumer health and hygiene company.
Her appointment took effect on September 15, 2026, and marks a leadership milestone for Reckitt’s West African business. Chukwumah is the first Nigerian and the first woman to occupy the regional General Manager position.
In her new role, she will oversee Reckitt’s business across key West African markets, including Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Her mandate includes driving commercial performance, expanding sustainable growth, developing organisational capabilities and strengthening the company’s brands in the region.
Career Built Around Commercial Leadership
Chukwumah joins Reckitt after a senior leadership career spanning some of the world’s largest consumer-facing companies.
Before joining Reckitt, she was Commercial Director for West and Central Africa at Diageo, where she was responsible for businesses across several African markets.
Her time at Diageo placed her at the intersection of consumer brands, commercial strategy and Africa’s rapidly changing consumer markets.
Her professional background also includes senior roles at Procter & Gamble, where she developed further experience in commercial strategy, market development and team leadership serving as Country Manager/Corporate market strategy & planning manager, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Educational Background
Chukwumah studied at the University of Benin, earning a first-class degree in Computer Engineering in 2006.
Leading Reckitt’s West Africa Business
At Reckitt, Chukwumah is stepping into a business whose portfolio includes consumer health and hygiene brands with significant presence in African markets.
Reckitt operates in Nigeria through Reckitt Benckiser (Nigeria) Limited, with its Nigerian office located in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The company’s West African operations cover markets including Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, giving Chukwumah responsibility for a region with diverse consumer markets and significant opportunities for consumer health and hygiene products.Commenting on her appointment, Chukwumah said she was excited to bring her regional experience to Reckitt.
“I am delighted to join Reckitt and lead its West Africa business. Having spent much of my career working across the region, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience to a business whose brands play an important role in the lives of consumers,” she said.
She said her priorities would include growing Reckitt’s brands, developing its people and working with customers and partners to deliver sustainable growth across West Africa.
