Lamide Akinola has stepped down as Managing Director of Glovo Nigeria, bringing to an end a three-year tenure during which the Spanish delivery platform significantly expanded its operations in one of Africa’s largest digital commerce markets.
Akinola announced her departure on Monday, October 6, describing her time leading the Nigerian business as one of the most rewarding periods of her career.
“Building this business into an $80 million operation and Glovo’s fastest-growing market has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Akinola said in announcing her exit.
Her departure comes at a notable moment for Glovo’s Nigerian business.
The company recently disclosed that Nigeria is its fastest-growing market globally in 2026 across the 21 countries where it operates, after investing more than ₦54 billion in the country since launching locally in 2021.
From Q-Commerce Lead to Glovo Nigeria MD
Akinola joined Glovo in 2021 as Head of Q-Commerce for Sub-Saharan Africa, where she worked on expanding the company’s grocery and retail marketplace and scaling its dark-store operations.
She was subsequently appointed to lead Glovo’s Nigerian operations, with her appointment taking effect on July 1, 2023, succeeding Lorenzo Mayol.
At the time, Glovo said her previous role had involved developing its digital marketplace across groceries, health and retail while expanding the company’s Glovo Bargains dark stores across the region.
Her elevation placed her in charge of one of the company’s most important African markets as Glovo attempted to grow beyond its original restaurant-delivery business.
During her tenure, Glovo expanded its presence across major Nigerian cities including Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt while pushing further into groceries, pharmaceuticals and general retail.
Nigeria Becomes Glovo’s Fastest-Growing Market
Akinola leaves the company with Nigeria now occupying an important position within Glovo’s global operations.
Glovo says it has invested more than ₦54 billion in Nigeria since entering the market in 2021 and has facilitated the delivery of more than 40 million items to customers.
The company also says the economic value generated for businesses operating through its platform more than doubled over the past year.
Nigeria is currently Glovo’s fastest-growing market across its 21-country global footprint in 2026.
That growth has come despite a difficult operating environment for Nigerian technology and consumer businesses, characterised by inflation, currency volatility and rising logistics and operating costs.
Glovo invested more than ₦8.5 billion in Nigeria during 2025 alone, even as several multinational companies reconsidered their exposure to the country.
Akinola previously said Glovo Nigeria nearly doubled its order volumes at the end of 2025 compared with the corresponding period a year earlier, while Nigeria ranked first globally for growth across several customer metrics within the company.
Glovo Expands Beyond Food Delivery
Glovo’s Nigerian operation has also evolved considerably from the restaurant delivery service with which many consumers initially associated the company.
Its platform now covers groceries, pharmacies and other retail categories alongside restaurant orders.
That expansion into what the industry describes as quick commerce, or Q-commerce, formed an important part of Akinola’s work both before and after taking over the Nigerian business.
According to reporting on her departure, Glovo recorded 76% year-on-year growth in gross merchandise value as the Nigerian business expanded its multi-category operations during her tenure.
Glovo has also increased its engagement with businesses using its platform.
Through its Glovo Academy programme, the company says it has conducted more than 50 in-person training sessions for hundreds of Nigerian small and medium-sized businesses.
Earlier this year, the company held its second Future of Commerce Summit, bringing together executives from companies including Chicken Republic, Burger King and The Place alongside smaller restaurant operators.
A Major Leadership Change for Glovo Nigeria
Akinola’s departure represents a significant leadership change for a business that has become one of Glovo’s strongest-performing markets.
It also comes just as the company is publicly reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria.
Dima Rasnovsky, Glovo’s Director for Africa, recently said the company remains confident in the country’s long-term potential and intends to continue investing in technology and supporting businesses and couriers operating across its ecosystem.
Glovo has not yet publicly announced Akinola’s successor.
Whoever takes over will inherit an operation that has grown considerably since Glovo’s Nigerian launch in 2021, but also one operating in a highly competitive and economically challenging delivery market.
For Akinola, the departure closes a five-year journey with Glovo that began at the regional Q-commerce level and eventually placed her in charge of the company’s Nigerian operations.
For Glovo, the next challenge will be maintaining the momentum that has turned Nigeria into its fastest-growing global market while navigating a leadership transition at the top of the business.