Goni Sheikh takes over from Mutiu Sunmonu as Julius Berger’s board chair

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc say Goni Sheikh has taken over from Mutiu Sunmonu as its board chairman. 

In a statement, the company said a ceremony was held recently in Abuja to celebrate the exit of the outgoing chairman and welcome his successor.

Speaking at the event, Peer Lubasch, managing director of Julius Berger, described the occasion as a significant moment in the company’s 55-year history.

He said since 1970, the company has been led by only seven chairmen, “a testament to its unique qualities”.

The director described Sunmonu’s nine-year tenure as highly impactful, highlighting key achievements such as the modernisation of board practices, strategic diversification into international construction markets, human capital development, and the successful execution of major projects.

The projects, the firm said, include the Second Niger Bridge, the FAMFA office tower in Lagos, the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lagos, and other numerous civil and building projects across Nigeria for both public and private sector clients.

“His ability to moderate and manage the differing views of the board without micromanaging the executive management was key to maintaining harmony and focus,” Lubasch said.

Welcoming the new chairman, the managing director expressed confidence in his ability to sustain the company’s legacy and drive further growth.

He said Sheikh, who has been a board member since 2019, brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors.

“He embodies continuity and reliability. His insights and professionalism have consistently enriched our deliberations, and we are confident that his leadership will usher in continued growth, innovation and diversification for our company,” Lubasch said.

In his remarks, Sunmonu described the event as a testament to success and accomplishments.

He said the company was not only celebrating its achievements over the past decade but also its ambitious vision for a more successful and promising future.

‘THERE’S NO PROBLEM BETWEEN JULIUS BERGER AND UMAHI’

Sunmonu aLao acknowledged the presence of David Umahi, minister of works, dispelling any speculation of discord between the minister and Julius Berger.

 “There is no problem between us and Umahi, I think Umahi loves Julius Berger. And my analogy is the relationship between a father and a son, when you love your son so much you want the best from him every time, but we are determined to reset that relationship, and I can assure you that we are in the path of that reset,” he said.

Sunmonu assured that the new chairman would collaborate with Umahi and the managing director to strengthen the relationship between the company, the ministry, and the federal government.

He said Julius Berger is on its way to becoming a conglomerate, acknowledging that while the future would bring greater challenges and uncertainties, the team he is leaving behind has the audacity to win.

Also speaking, the new chairman noted the company’s ongoing expansion and its ambitious growth plans.

“So we’re expanding, and we are quite ambitious about that. And for the first time we are getting foreign exchange, coming back to our country to improve our economy. We shall work to excel there among others,” Sheikh said.

According to the statement, dignitaries at the event included a representative of Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the minister of finance, the minister of works, as well as key figures from the construction, oil and gas sectors, and directors-general of federal agencies.