By Kenneth Oboh

Adekitan Oluwatosin Adetoye, Project Manager at PLADIS Global (McVities, Godiva & Ulker), has been honoured with the African Choice Award, recognizing his outstanding contribution to project management and manufacturing excellence across Sub-Saharan Africa.

With more than 15 years of experience driving operational growth in the manufacturing sector, Adekitan has led complex capital projects spanning greenfield and brownfield developments, new line installations, product innovation, and strategic plant expansions. His work continues to transform operations for some of the most recognized consumer brands in the world.

At PLADIS Global, he led a strategic £8.8M one-off restructuring project across the SSA hub that delivered £7M in annual revenue. He also managed a £20.25M CAPEX portfolio with 98 percent budget compliance. From vendor negotiations to equipment delivery, Adekitan oversees end-to-end CAPEX and IMPEX activities that align technical execution with business priorities.

“Project management isn’t just about timelines and budgets,” Adekitan explains. “It’s about understanding what the business truly needs and building the right systems to meet those needs sustainably.”

Previously, as Manufacturing Excellence Manager at PLADIS Nigeria, Adekitan championed productivity across the supply chain. He commissioned a £15M biscuit production line, achieved £2.78M in cost savings, and led a company-wide waste reduction program that significantly improved output. His efforts also resulted in a 30 percent increase in productivity per worker through process balancing across confectionery and biscuit lines.

His earlier work at Mondelēz International (Cadbury Nigeria) further cemented his reputation. There, he delivered over €13M in CAPEX projects, installed a 120,000MT LPG plant that reduced energy consumption by 33 percent, and introduced energy optimization programs that saved the company $3.5M annually. He also played a key role in designing the Factory of the Future and earned top honours including the GE Platinum Award and the MD West Africa Excellence Award.

“Award or no award, my commitment remains the same. I will continue to deliver projects that move the industry forward,” he said during his acceptance speech.

“This recognition belongs to every professional who brings vision, precision, and consistency to factory floors and boardrooms alike.”

Adekitan’s impact dates back to the early stages of his career at Flour Mills of Nigeria, where, as a Management Trainee, he delivered over $0.56M in cost savings within eight months and introduced TPM and 5S frameworks that improved operational reliability across multiple production units.

“Manufacturing success is built on the back of teamwork, attention to detail, and a strong vision for quality,” he added. “When we invest in people and process together, the results speak for themselves.”

The African Choice Awards shine a spotlight on visionaries like Adekitan Oluwatosin Adetoye, whose contributions are redefining excellence and setting new benchmarks for industries across the continent.