Business
Seven-Up Bottling Announces Leadership Transition
Seven-Up Bottling Company Ltd. (SBC), one of Nigeria’s leading beverage manufacturers, today announced a strategic leadership transition as managing director, Ziad Maalouf, retires after nearly 18 years of remarkable service.
Sari El-Khalil, a current SBC Board Member and chief transformation officer, will assume the role of managing director, effective July 1, 2025.
During Ziad’s tenure, SBC experienced a period of significant growth and transformation, from redefining its go-to-market strategy and expanding its manufacturing capacity, to launching new product lines, including Aquafina, Lipton Ice Tea, and Supa Komando, and pioneering sustainability efforts across Nigeria.
His leadership was instrumental in positioning SBC as a national force for innovation, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship.
Speaking on his retirement, Ziad Maalouf said: “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead SBC through such a transformative period.
I’m proud of what we’ve built, especially the culture of innovation, discipline, and shared purpose. I leave knowing the company is in capable hands and look forward to continuing my work and mission of supporting Nigerian businesses through SME Scale Up.”Nigerian art and craft sales
The company’s incoming managing director, Sari El-Khalil, brings a strong mix of global experience and local insight. Sari spent his childhood years in Nigeria, where he completed his primary education before moving abroad. Sari began his career at the company and has held multiple roles across sales, operations, and finance. After completing his MBA at NYU Stern and gaining international experience with PepsiCo USA, Sari returned to Nigeria in 2020 as Head of Financial Planning and Analysis where he spearheaded digitisation and automation efforts. He later became SBC’s first Chief Transformation Officer, leading a comprehensive transformation that reinforced SBC’s readiness for the future and positioned the company to thrive further in the years ahead.
Commenting on his new role, Sari said: “Building on the strong foundation laid by the company’s founders, as well as Ziad and the team, I am committed to driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth, guided by our people-first ethos. Together, we will continue to shape the future of our industry and make a positive impact across Nigeria. As we look to the future, we carry forward the same ambition, the same values, and the same mission that has defined SBC for decades.
The Board of SBC expressed its full confidence in the transition. “Sari’s appointment reflects both continuity and new momentum,” said Faysal El-Khalil, Chairman of the Board. “His global perspective and hands-on leadership within SBC make him uniquely equipped to guide us into this next phase. At the same time, we extend our deepest gratitude to Ziad Maalouf for nearly two decades of visionary leadership.”
This transition affirms SBC’s long-term commitment to growth, resilience, and national development, anchored in values that endure and leadership that evolves with purpose. As one chapter closes and another begins, SBC remains committed to its mission to serve, inspire, and lead.
Leadership.ng
Fresh petrol depot prices have emerged across Nigeria as marketers adjust to rising crude oil prices and renewed tensions in the Middle East.
The latest pricing changes come amid growing uncertainty in the global energy market following fresh military exchanges between the United States and Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.
ndustry data tracked by PetroleumPriceNG and monitored by Legit.ng show that depot owners raised their Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices as a protective measure against potential losses linked to volatile international oil prices.
Global crude oil prices climbed during early trading on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, after the United States launched strikes on Iranian military infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz.
As of 5:08 a.m. WAT, Brent crude rose by 1.03% to $92.39 per barrel, while the U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.91% to trade at $89.00 per barrel, according to a report by Oilprice.com
The market rally followed reports that American forces targeted Iranian air defence systems, radar installations and surveillance facilities after Washington accused Tehran of bringing down a U.S. Army Apache helicopter operating within the region.
The U.S. Central Command described the strikes as a defensive response. However, Iran denied responsibility for the helicopter incident and accused the United States of escalating tensions unnecessarily. The development has raised fears of a broader regional conflict that could disrupt global crude oil supplies.
Checks across fuel depots nationwide show that marketers have adjusted their petrol prices upward in response to the changing global market conditions.
According to the latest data: AIPEC now sells petrol at N1,247 per litre RainOil Lagos sells at N1,248 per litre Integrated depot price stands at N1,247 per litre Liquid Bulk has also fixed its price at N1,248 per litre Industry experts say the latest adjustments are largely precautionary as marketers attempt to shield themselves from potential losses should crude oil prices continue to rise.
The cost of importing petrol into Nigeria has dropped sharply following the recent decline in global crude oil prices, creating fresh competition for local refiners, including the $20 billion Dangote Refinery.
New data released by the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) shows that the landing cost of imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, has fallen to N1,117 per litre.
The figure is now significantly lower than Dangote Refinery’s gantry price of N1,250 per litre, leaving a difference of N133 per litre.
The development comes days after the mega refinery reduced its ex-depot petrol price from N1,275 to N1,250 per litre in response to changing market conditions.
The latest MEMAN pricing template suggests that fuel importers may now enjoy a competitive edge over domestic refiners as international crude prices continue to soften. Aside from petrol, the landing costs of other petroleum products also recorded notable declines.
According to the data, diesel landing cost dropped to N1,470 per litre, compared to Dangote Refinery’s price of N1,700 per litre. Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), commonly known as aviation fuel, also fell to N1,426 per litre, while Dangote’s price remains N1,650 per litre.
MEMAN estimated the exchange rate for fuel imports at N1,366.85 per dollar, reflecting the prevailing official foreign exchange rate at the time of the calculation.
Some filling stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and in other locations across Lagos and Ogun states have reduced petrol prices below N1,300 per litre.
This follows a price cut announced by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Sunday.
The refinery adjusted its ex-depot gantry price of petrol down to N1,250 per litre from N1,275 per litre, while also slashing the price of diesel to N1,700 per litre from N1,800 per litre.
According to Dangote officials, the price review reflects a recent decline in global oil prices and reinforces the company’s commitment to making refined products more affordable while providing cost relief to Nigerian consumers and businesses.
Following the announcement, observations across the Mowe/Ibafo axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State showed that several independent marketers immediately adjusted their pumps. For instance, MRS filling stations reduced their petrol pump price to N1,286 per litre, NIPCO and Heyden retailed the product at N1,290 per litre, and SGR adjusted its price to N1,297 per litre.
Reductions were also recorded in the diesel market, with many filling stations dropping their prices to N1,800 per litre from the previous N1,900 per litre.
Despite these downward adjustments, many retail outlets still sell petrol above the N1,300 mark. Outlets operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) in Ibafo adjusted their pumps to N1,305 per litre, while Mobil and Asharami sold the product at N1,310 and N1,320 per litre, respectively.
The overall price drop comes after a prolonged period of high fuel costs in Nigeria, which saw petrol skyrocket from N830 per litre to over N1,300 after global crude oil climbed past $115 per barrel due to tensions between the United States and Iran.
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