Abdul Samad Rabiu Gifts $20.7 Million to 510 BUA Group Employees

Nigerian billionaire industrialist, Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and Executive Chairman of BUA Group, has awarded a total of $20.7 million (about ₦30 billion) in cash gifts to 510 employees of the conglomerate in recognition of their commitment, loyalty and long years of service.

The cash rewards were presented during BUA Group’s annual Night of Excellence and Long Service Awards, a ceremony that brought together staff from across the company’s various subsidiaries operating in cement, sugar, foods, and other industrial sectors. According to details from the event, five employees received the highest individual awards of $690,000 each, a gesture that has drawn widespread attention across Nigeria’s corporate and business community. Other beneficiaries received varying sums based on their length of service, performance, and contributions to the growth of the group. Speaking at the ceremony, Rabiu described the awards as a demonstration of gratitude to employees who have played key roles in building BUA Group into one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates. He emphasized that the company’s expansion and resilience over the years were driven not only by capital investments, but by the dedication and sacrifices of its workforce. The billionaire businessman noted that rewarding loyalty remains central to BUA Group’s corporate culture, adding that employees should directly benefit from the success they help create. He encouraged staff to continue upholding professionalism and commitment as the company pursues further expansion across Nigeria and beyond. Industry observers say the $20.7 million payout sets a new benchmark for employee recognition in Nigeria’s private sector, particularly at a time when many workers are grappling with rising living costs and economic uncertainty. The gesture has been widely praised as a rare example of large-scale corporate appreciation for long-serving staff. Abdul Samad Rabiu is among Africa’s richest individuals and is also known for his philanthropic activities through the BUA Foundation and the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, which support education, healthcare and social development projects across the continent.