Japaul Gold Strengthens Board with Appointment of Finance Veteran Abubakar Lawal
Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc has announced a key addition to its leadership, appointing seasoned finance professional Abubakar Lawal as a Non-Executive Director. The appointment, formalized in a notice signed by Company Secretary Chidimma Okolo on February 11, 2026, marks a significant step in the company’s corporate evolution. This strategic move is designed to position Japaul Gold to capitalize on emerging opportunities within gold exploration, mining technology, and sustainable resource development across Africa and other international markets.
The company emphasized that Lawal’s appointment reflects its commitment to strengthening corporate governance and enhancing strategic oversight as it advances a long-term growth agenda. This focus on robust oversight is critical for any firm navigating complex sectors, much like the scrutiny seen in cases of alleged $42m fraud in other corporate spheres. Abubakar Lawal brings a formidable reputation to the role, being the Co-founder and Group Managing Director of GTI Group, an investment banking firm with deep expertise in public sector advisory, corporate restructuring, and finance. He is credited with pioneering the first private trading floor in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa and has played a prominent role in shaping Nigeria’s investment banking landscape over three decades.
Lawal’s extensive transaction experience includes leading high-profile corporate restructuring and recapitalization mandates for major publicly listed companies such as International Breweries Plc, Eterna Plc, and Wema Bank Plc. An alumnus of Harvard Business School, he combines a strong financial background with international exposure and profound local market knowledge. His guidance will be pivotal as Japaul Gold builds on its recent improved performance, having reported a pre-tax profit of N1.8 billion, a sharp recovery from the prior year’s loss.
In a separate disclosure, the company also announced the resignation of its Group Managing Director, Mr. Akinloye Daniel Oladapo, effective October 13, 2025. The Board acknowledged Oladapo’s contributions and wished him success in his future endeavors. The new board appointment comes as the company seeks to solidify its strategic framework, a move that analysts watch closely to gauge its future direction among the top 10 African mining ventures. As leadership changes can significantly impact corporate trajectory, stakeholders will observe how Japaul Gold’s refreshed board steers its ambitious agenda forward.
