Oni Richard

Accomplished Business Development and Commercial Management Executive with 20+ years of professional experience spanning strategic business development, commercial operations, sales and marketing, corporate administration, strategic partnerships, customer relationship management, FMCG, media and banking. MBA-qualified business professional and Associate Member of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, with extensive experience translating corporate objectives into practical growth strategies, identifying new markets and revenue streams, developing high-value relationships and supporting sustainable organisational performance. Demonstrated capability in business strategy, revenue generation, market expansion, client acquisition, strategic partnerships, negotiation, commercial operations, budgeting, stakeholder management and team leadership.

Experienced in working with senior executives and boards on business priorities, organisational policies, performance management and growth initiatives. A commercially minded and relationship-driven leader recognised for strategic thinking, persuasive communication, sound business judgement, innovation, execution discipline and the ability to build productive relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.

DIRECTOR, MANAGEMENT & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT at AFRI-ROOTS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK LTD (2025-01 – Present)

Provide strategic and commercial leadership across business development, partnerships, market expansion and organisational growth for a communications and media enterprise.

• Develop and execute business development strategies aligned with corporate objectives and long-term growth ambitions.
• Identify emerging markets, commercial opportunities, prospective clients and alternative revenue streams.
• Provide strategic direction on market positioning, competitive differentiation and sustainable business growth.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable business-development initiatives and commercial opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with prospective clients, corporate partners, investors and key stakeholders.
• Lead commercial engagements, negotiations and partnership discussions designed to create sustainable business value.
• Develop opportunities for client acquisition, strategic alliances and market expansion.
• Support revenue forecasting, commercial planning and evaluation of business opportunities.
• Oversee business-development activities and collaborate with internal teams to deliver client-focused solutions.
• Establish performance objectives and monitor progress against business-development priorities.
• Identify operational efficiencies and cost-optimisation opportunities without compromising quality.
• Support management decision-making through market intelligence, commercial analysis and performance reporting.
• Represent the organisation in high-level business engagements, industry forums and stakeholder meetings.
• Support corporate positioning and visibility within the communications and media industry.
• Collaborate with marketing and creative teams to develop commercially relevant campaigns and market initiatives.

SENIOR MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT at MINE MEDIA LIMITED (2009-01 – 2024-12)

Provided senior management support across administration, business development, organisational planning, policy implementation, stakeholder management and commercial growth.

• Developed and implemented organisational policies, procedures and administrative frameworks supporting business efficiency.
• Worked with senior management and directors on strategic, operational and commercial priorities.
• Supported budgeting, financial planning and resource-allocation activities.
• Identified business-development opportunities and contributed to initiatives designed to expand the organisation's market presence.
• Developed commercial strategies aimed at strengthening sales, profitability and long-term business sustainability.
• Monitored departmental activities and organisational performance against agreed objectives.
• Supported the setting of employee performance targets and monitored delivery against business expectations.
• Built relationships with prospective clients, business partners and relevant industry stakeholders.
• Conducted market and competitor assessments to identify emerging commercial opportunities.
• Participated in Board and senior-management meetings and contributed to strategic business discussions.
• Prepared management reports, presentations and business-performance updates for directors and senior stakeholders.
• Managed partner relationships and supported compliance with partnership agreements.
• Encouraged innovation and employee-generated initiatives capable of improving organisational performance.
• Supported initiatives focused on employee engagement, talent retention and workplace productivity.
• Promoted effective internal and external communication across the organisation.

HEAD OF MARKETING, LAGOS at DBN TELEVISION (2006-07 – 2008-12)

Led marketing and business-development activities in Lagos, with responsibility for client acquisition, revenue development, prospect management and market expansion.

• Pursued sales-revenue objectives and identified new corporate accounts and commercial opportunities.
• Developed new client relationships and expanded the organisation's prospect pipeline.
• Managed client appointments, presentations and commercial engagements.
• Built and maintained prospect databases to support continuous business development.
• Ensured accurate and timely processing of customer orders and associated documentation.
• Prepared performance reports against established targets.
• Supported management meetings and contributed to commercial initiatives.
• Monitored market developments, customer requirements, products and competitive activity.
• Provided management with feedback on market opportunities and customer responses.

BUSINESS DEVELOPER, COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT at NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC (2004-04 – 2006-06)

Supported commercial growth through customer acquisition, account development, route supervision, sales support and market intelligence.

• Developed and maintained productive customer relationships.
• Identified prospective customers and supported the creation of new business accounts.
• Developed existing accounts through relationship management and commercial engagement.
• Supported product pre-selling and customer acquisition activities.
• Monitored competitor activity and market developments.
• Prepared monthly sales presentations and reconciliation reports.
• Supervised assigned routes and supported distribution effectiveness.
• Contributed to initiatives aimed at strengthening market coverage and sales performance.

NYSC OFFICER, OPERATIONS at FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC — ITEM BRANCH, ABIA STATE (2002-10 – 2003-09)

Supported daily branch operations and customer-service activities.

• Performed clearing functions and transaction-processing activities.
• Balanced savings and current accounts.
• Assisted with account-opening processes and documentation.
• Participated in the preparation of periodic banking returns.
• Supported general branch administration and operational activities.

Master of Business Administration in MBA – UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN (2009)

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN (1999 – 2002)

Advanced Level Programme – KWARA STATE POLYTECHNIC (1997 – 1998)

Senior Secondary School Certificate in SSCE – ST. ANTHONY'S SECONDARY SCHOOL (1988 – 1993)