What Nestlé Nigeria stakeholders will expect from new communications manager Toju Egbebi
By Tunji Faleye
The appointment of Toritseju (Toju) Egbebi as Corporate Communications and Sustainability Manager at Nestlé Nigeria places her at the centre of an increasingly important corporate responsibility: sustaining public trust while communicating the company’s business priorities and sustainability commitments.
Effective November 1, 2026, Egbebi succeeds Victoria Uwadoka, who is retiring after a decade with the company. Her appointment comes with expectations that extend beyond managing media relations to strengthening corporate reputation, deepening stakeholder engagement and demonstrating how Nestlé’s operations contribute to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
With 18 years of experience in public relations and corporate communications across technology, financial services and consumer goods, Egbebi brings industry experience to the position. She currently serves as Corporate Affairs Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, where she has contributed to the company’s corporate reputation, public affairs and stakeholder engagement efforts.
However, the transition also presents an important test of continuity: how to preserve the communications structures and sustainability narratives developed under her predecessor while responding to changing stakeholder expectations.
One of the major expectations from Egbebi will be her ability to maintain and strengthen Nestlé Nigeria’s relationship with its diverse stakeholders, including consumers, employees, media organisations, regulators and host communities.
For major consumer goods companies, corporate reputation is shaped not only by advertising and public statements but also by how consistently their actions align with their commitments. Communications leadership therefore requires a clear understanding of stakeholder concerns and the ability to respond credibly to issues affecting public perception.
Egbebi’s experience within Nestlé Nigeria could provide an advantage in this regard, particularly as she moves from corporate affairs into a role that combines communications with sustainability.
Another key expectation concerns the communication of Nestlé Nigeria’s sustainability priorities.
Through the company’s Nestlé for Good platform, Egbebi has helped improve public understanding of its investments in healthier nutrition, thriving communities and environmental sustainability.
In her new role, attention is likely to remain on how effectively the company communicates these initiatives and demonstrates their relevance to the people and communities they are intended to benefit.
The task goes beyond raising awareness. It involves presenting sustainability programmes in ways that enable stakeholders to understand their objectives, progress and practical outcomes.
As corporate sustainability attracts greater public attention, credible communication will be important in helping stakeholders distinguish between stated commitments and demonstrable results.
Egbebi will consequently be expected to maintain a close relationship between the company’s sustainability activities and the narratives used to communicate them.
Building on Uwadoka’s decade-long legacy
Egbebi also inherits a communications and sustainability portfolio shaped by Uwadoka’s ten years at Nestlé Nigeria.
During her tenure, Uwadoka helped strengthen the company’s reputation, stakeholder relationships and Creating Shared Value agenda. Her work covered nutrition, youth empowerment, agriculture, water stewardship, environmental responsibility and community development.
She also championed employee engagement and helped translate complex corporate and sustainability priorities into accessible communications designed to build understanding and trust.
Beyond the company, Uwadoka contributed to Nigeria’s communications profession through industry leadership, advocacy and mentorship.
The expectation from Egbebi will therefore be to sustain these achievements while identifying opportunities to strengthen the company’s engagement with its stakeholders and the wider communications industry.
Her success will depend partly on how effectively she preserves the institutional knowledge and relationships established under Uwadoka while bringing her own experience and perspective to the role.
Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria, acknowledged Uwadoka’s contribution and expressed confidence in Egbebi’s ability to take on the new responsibilities.
Elhusseini said: “As Toju takes on this responsibility, I have every confidence in the experience, judgement and energy she brings to the role. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement are fundamental to building trust and advancing our purpose, and I am confident she will continue strengthening these relationships while helping us demonstrate the positive impact of our business in Nigeria.”
The comments underscore management’s emphasis on continuity, stakeholder relationships and communicating the company’s contribution to Nigeria.
A broader test for corporate communications leadershi
Egbebi’s appointment reflects the expanding responsibilities of corporate communications professionals in major organisations. The function increasingly sits at the intersection of reputation management, public affairs, sustainability and business strategy.
For Egbebi, the immediate task is to build on an established foundation while ensuring that the company’s communications remain responsive to evolving public expectations.
Ultimately, her performance will be judged not simply by the visibility of Nestlé Nigeria’s initiatives, but by the credibility of its communications, the strength of its stakeholder relationships and its ability to demonstrate progress on the commitments it makes.
As she assumes office on November 1, the central expectation is clear: to sustain the company’s communications legacy while ensuring that reputation, sustainability and stakeholder trust continue to support its long-term business objectives.
What’s you opinion on this appointment?
