Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and chairman of Nigeria’s BUA Group, distributed $20.7 million in cash bonuses to employees in recognition of the company’s outstanding performance.
A total of 1,800 employees, including senior executives and frontline staff, received these rewards.
The bonuses were handed out on Saturday, December 13, 2025, during the BUA Night of Excellence at Eko Suites Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, as reported by Business Insider.
Rabiu approved bonus amounts across different employee levels. Five employees received $691,000 each, while another five employees were given $345,000 each.
Other employees received amounts ranging from $3,450 to $13,810, ensuring that the bonuses were not limited to senior staff but extended to the broader workforce. In total, 1,768 employees benefited from this initiative. Group CEO Kabiru Rabiu also received a bonus, though the exact amount was not disclosed.
This generous move follows a remarkable increase in Rabiu’s wealth over the past year. At the start of 2025, his net worth was approximately $5.1 billion, ranking him sixth among Africa’s billionaires.
By December 14, 2025, his wealth had risen to $8.5 billion, a $3.4 billion increase in a single year, placing him fourth in Africa and 390th globally.
Prioritizing employee welfare, Rabiu also raised salaries by 50% across the group for both permanent and temporary staff, helping mitigate the impact of rising inflation and economic pressures in Nigeria.
In addition to rewarding employees, Rabiu showcased his luxurious lifestyle by acquiring a Bombardier Global 8000 jet valued at $95 million, becoming the first African owner of this long-range private jet.
BUA Cement reported an annual production of 17 million tons, generating $5.9 billion in revenue during the first nine months of 2025.
Meanwhile, BUA Foods, which includes sugar refineries, oil and flour mills, and a food packaging factory, earned $989 million in revenue, driven by strategic investments and improved operational efficiency.
