MIPAD Honours Rite Foods’ Seleem Adegunwa as Most Influential FMCG Executive of the Year

MIPAD Honours Rite Foods’ Seleem Adegunwa as Most Influential FMCG Executive of the Year

The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) has honoured the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rite Foods Limited, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, with the Most Influential FMCG Executive of the Year Award at the 2025 MIPAD End of Year Dinner and Awards.

MIPAD said the recognition was in acknowledgement of Adegunwa’s leadership and sustained contribution to excellence within Africa’s business landscape, noting that his impact continues to resonate beyond national boundaries.

MIPAD is a global civil society initiative aligned with the United Nations’ First and Second International Decades for People of African Descent (2015–2024 and 2025–2034). The organisation celebrates individuals whose achievements and influence transcend borders and generations.

Under Adegunwa’s leadership, Rite Foods has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading players in the food and beverage sector, with a strong portfolio of widely recognised brands. These include the 13 variants of Bigi Carbonated Soft Drinks, Bigi Table Water, the award-winning Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, as well as Bigi Flex, Rite Spicy and Bigi Beef Sausages.

Speaking on the award, MIPAD Co-Founder, Tope Esan, said the organisation recognises individuals whose work contributes meaningfully to societal and economic development. He noted that Adegunwa’s commitment to excellence aligns with MIPAD’s vision of celebrating impactful leadership across the African diaspora.

The award ceremony, held in Victoria Island, Lagos, attracted policymakers, business leaders, media professionals, politicians and industry experts from across sectors, all gathered to celebrate outstanding contributions to Africa’s growth and development.

MIPAD noted that its past honourees include global figures such as former United States President Barack Obama, former Costa Rican Vice President Epsy Campbell, Trevor Noah, Larry Madowo, Mia Mottley, Beyoncé, Lewis Hamilton, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Usain Bolt and Naomi Osaka, among others.

Adegunwa’s leadership has also earned Rite Foods multiple industry recognitions. At the 2025 Edge Awards, formerly known as the Marketing Edge Awards, the company won Outstanding Carbonated Soft Drink Brand of the Year for Bigi Apple, Outstanding Sausage Brand of the Year for Bigi Beef Sausage Roll, and Outstanding FMCG Corporate Brand of the Year for Rite Foods Limited.

The MIPAD honour further adds to Rite Foods’ growing list of accolades, reinforcing its position as a major force in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.