Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc has appointed GTI Group co-founder Abubakar Lawal as a non-executive director.
The appointment, which took effect on February 10, was disclosed in a notice signed by the company secretary, Chidimma Okolo, on Wednesday.
“Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc is proud to announce a transformative phase in its corporate governance and strategic direction with the appointment and onboarding of Abubakar Lawal as Non-Executive Director effective from the 10th day of February, 2026,” the statement read.
The company said the appointment is part of efforts to strengthen corporate governance and strategic oversight as it pursues opportunities in gold exploration, mining technology and resource development.
Abubakar Lawal is co-founder and group managing director of GTI Group, an investment banking firm involved in public sector and corporate advisory, restructuring and finance.
He led the establishment of a private trading floor in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
Over three decades, he has participated in transactions involving corporate restructuring and recapitalisation for companies including International Breweries Plc, Eterna Plc, Wema Bank Plc and Morison Industries Plc, as well as state and sub-national accounts.
He attended Harvard Business School.
In a separate notice, Japaul Gold announced the resignation of its group managing director, Akinloye Oladapo, with effect from October 13, 2025.
“The Board of Directors of Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc wishes to inform Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), its shareholders, and the public of the resignation of the Company’s Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr. Akinloye Daniel Oladapo, effective from October 13th, 2025,” the company stated.
The board thanked Oladapo for his service and contributions during his tenure.
The board changes come after the company reported a pre-tax profit of N1.8 billion in 2024, compared with a pre-tax loss of N622.02 million in 2023.
Revenue increased by 59.16 percent year-on-year to N4.1 billion from N2.5 billion.
Equipment rental generated N3.9 billion, while chipping and crushing activities contributed N145.7 million.
Direct costs rose by 29.12 percent to N1.9 billion from N1.5 billion.
Gross profit stood at N2.1 billion, up from N1.05 billion in 2023.
