BHM Holdings restructures leadership as Ayeni Adekunle shifts focus to group-wide expansion

BHM Holdings is repositioning its leadership structure to accelerate technology investment, strengthen operational accountability and drive international growth, with founder Ayeni Adekunle moving into a group-wide leadership role and two executives taking charge of its major operating businesses.

The restructuring signals a new phase in the growth strategy of the Nigerian communications group, which is seeking to build stronger independent businesses while leveraging shared resources, technology and international partnerships.

Under the new arrangement, Adekunle will become Group Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair, effective November 6, 2026, while Iretomiwa Akintunde-Johnson and Njideka Akabogu have been appointed Managing Directors of BHM and ID Africa, respectively. Their appointments take effect on January 1, 2027.

The leadership changes follow the completion of BHM Holdings’ first private placement in August 2026 and the formalisation of its group structure.

Rather than maintaining centralised operational control, the new arrangement will give the group’s operating companies greater management independence, with their respective leaders responsible for day-to-day business operations.

Adekunle’s new responsibilities will centre on investment, corporate governance, technology, talent development and international expansion, positioning him to concentrate on the group’s long-term institutional growth.

Plaqad, the group’s technology and intelligence business, will remain under the leadership of Joseph Enesu, who pioneered BHM AI Labs and the development of Plaqad Intelligence.

Technology investment and institutional growth take centre stage

A major consideration behind the restructuring is BHM Holdings’ ambition to deepen its investment in proprietary technology and expand its range of communications and intelligence services.

The group plans to deploy proceeds from its August private placement towards technology development and new service offerings, particularly its artificial intelligence-powered communications and intelligence platform.

Although the company has not disclosed the amount raised or the identities of the investors, the capital injection represents an important step in its effort to strengthen its technology capabilities and support future expansion.

Adekunle said the restructuring was designed to ensure that additional capital translates into stronger institutional capacity rather than simply expanding the group’s operations.

“Capital is most useful when it strengthens the institution,” he said.

“Our priorities are clear: proprietary technology, better services, international expansion and the development of leaders who can build each company independently while benefiting from the capabilities of the wider group,” he added.

The new operating model will allow BHM, ID Africa and Plaqad to function as distinct businesses while sharing technology, intellectual property, governance structures, talent and international partnerships.

Three businesses, distinct growth responsibilities

Founded in Lagos in 2006, BHM Holdings has developed a portfolio spanning public relations, reputation management, communications advisory, media, intelligence and technology.

Its three operating businesses occupy different positions within the communications and technology ecosystem.

BHM, which operates directly or through franchise arrangements in Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States, will now be led by Akintunde-Johnson.

ID Africa, under Akabogu, will continue to build its regional communications and advisory operations across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania.

Plaqad, meanwhile, will retain its technology-driven focus under Enesu, particularly around artificial intelligence and intelligence solutions.

The structure is expected to strengthen accountability across the businesses while allowing each leadership team to pursue growth opportunities within its respective market.

Growth record provides foundation for expansion

BHM Holdings’ restructuring comes against the background of its reported growth over the past decade.

According to PRovoke Media, BHM recorded revenue growth of more than 400% over the preceding ten years, representing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 30%.

The group has also received 26 acknowledgements from the publication over five years and featured four times on its Best Agencies in Africa list.

Its workforce comprises more than 100 full-time employees, contract professionals and associate fellows, supported by an extended network of over 500 vendors, creators, freelancers, influencers and partners.

Beyond its commercial activities, the group has established industry platforms and initiatives, including World PR Day, NECLive and the Africa PR and Communications Report.

These initiatives have contributed to its visibility within the African public relations and marketing communications industry.

ID Africa’s regional footprint strengthens continental ambitions

The elevation of ID Africa’s leadership comes as the business continues to build its presence beyond Nigeria.

Established in 2015 by Adekunle as part of BHM, ID Africa subsequently developed into a standalone communications and advisory operation.

Its expansion into Ghana and Kenya, as previously reported by Nairametrics, reflects the company’s broader ambition to strengthen its position in the African communications market. It also operates in Tanzania.

The latest restructuring provides a more defined leadership framework for managing these regional operations and pursuing additional opportunities.

For BHM Holdings, the transition represents more than a change in executive titles. It marks a shift towards a group structure in which individual businesses have clearer management responsibilities, while strategic investment, technology development and international growth are coordinated at the holding-company level.

The success of the model will ultimately depend on how effectively the new managing directors translate their operational independence into business growth, stronger services and greater competitiveness across African and international markets.

What’s your thought on the leadership change?