General T. Y. Danjuma (Rtd) GCON, Founder
distinguished and highly successful businessman, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma is the founder of NAL-Comet. General Danjuma had a brilliant career in the Nigerian Army and retired as Chief of Army Staff in 1979. In late 1979, General Danjuma founded Nigeria American Line (NAL) with one leased ship and today the NAL-Comet Group has grown to be one of the most successful indigenous shipping agencies and terminal operators in Nigeria.
General Danjuma, through South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO) created an oil exploration and producing company which is set to become one of the largest indigenous oil producers in Africa. The General also sits on the board of several publicly quoted and privately owned companies encompassing all sectors of the economy. His national honour as Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, (GCON), is the highest award given in Nigeria to a non-head of state. He also has several other national and international awards and titles, as well as honorary doctorate degrees from notable Nigerian and foreign Universities.
A keen philanthropist, General Danjuma set up the TY Danjuma Foundation in 2009 with a pledge to donate a 100 Million US Dollars in order to provide quality health care, in the form provisions and administering of medication. The Foundation also seeks to provide education and employment opportunities to those most in need, while offering support to the widows of military service men.
Roderick Rigo Nazzari, Managing Director
With over 30 years of experience in shipping and logistics, Roderick Rigo Nazzari has held key roles at Comet Group, including Deputy Managing Director and General Manager, driving strategic growth and operational excellence. He has also led regional operations for MOL in the East Mediterranean and West Africa, enhancing profitability and expanding market presence. Roderick holds an MBA in Shipping and Logistics from Middlesex University and a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Fluent in four languages, his multicultural background and collaborative leadership style make him a valuable asset to the company.
Oluwatosin Adebayo, Group Chief Financial Officer
Tosin is a resourceful Finance professional with about 20 years of progressive experience from the FMCG, Consultancy, and Oil and Gas Sectors
She is leading the finance team with accountability for strategy, business profitability, working capital management, reporting, compliance, operational finance and team development
Tosin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Babcock University and a Global MBA in entrepreneurship from the London Metropolitan University. She is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Nigeria (ICAN).
Gloria Danjuma, Chairperson
Gloria Danjuma has over 20 years of experience driving growth, maximizing shareholder value, and leading organisations through periods of transformation. She is the current chairperson of NAL/Comet Group, Unitrust Insurance Limited, and Wheatbaker Investment
Properties Limited. She is also a Board Member of the TY Danjuma Family Office, Novotel Hotel Port Harcourt, and a member of the TY Danjuma Foundation Board of Trustees.
Ishaya Danjuma, Director
Mr. Ishaya Danjuma holds Directorship in Wheatbaker Investments & Properties; Beverly Development & Realties; Dangil Holdings; TY Holdings Limited, Apave Nigeria Limited; NAL – Comet Group of Companies Limited; Dominion Rice and Integrated Farms Limited; Unitrust Limited; Capital Club West Africa; Industrial & Medical Gases Nigeria Plc; South Atlantic Petroleum and TY Danjuma Foundation.
Mr. Danjuma attended Santa Monica College in California, USA from 1999 to 2003 and the Owner Management Program at the Lagos Business School in 2018. He has also attended courses locally and abroad. Some of which include Hospitality Trainings and courses on International Oil & Gas Business Management.
His other work experience in the area of operations are in IMK Investments Limited, EOA Reality Company and Central Realities.
Theophilus Danjuma, Director
Theo Danjuma is a second-generation member of the Danjuma family. He graduated from the University of Nottingham in UK with a BA Honours in History and Politics.
Simon Foster, Director
Simon Foster qualified as an accountant with Ernst & Young and has over 25 years of post-qualification experience in international investment environments. In 2011, he joined the TY Danjuma Family Office as Chief Financial Officer and, in 2017, was promoted to Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Along with a BA (Hons) degree in Accounting and Finance, Simon holds both the UK ACA and Canadian CA accounting designations. He also brings extensive corporate-finance and shareholder-exit experience – covering IPOs, trade sales, mergers and acquisitions, structured finance and restructuring programs – and is a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment.
With 20 years’ experience across roles ranging from Director and Company Secretary, to CFO and CEO for different international family offices, investment vehicles and their portfolio companies, Simon is an accomplished family-office executive. Plus, he’s twice been the architect behind the initial stages of family-office and private-client-investment structures, sits on different boards and previously acted as Chairman of the Family Office Council – a family-office industry body.
Hannatu Gentles, Director
Hannatu Gentles joined the Nal-Comet board in 2023 and is also the Chief Operating Officer at TY Danjuma Family Office, she joined the Family Office at it’s inception in 2009 and oversees the HR, Marketing & PR and the property arm of the business as well as sitting on the Investment Committee and on the board of a number of the Family Office’s subsidiary companies. Hannatu holds a joint honours BA degree in Theology and Philosophy from Nottingham University, UK and also has an Advanced Certificate in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and has attended the Investment Management Programme (Equity Investment Management) at the London Business School. Hannatu was an experienced marketer and e-commerce professional prior to joining the family office world and she has since become a proven and professional company executive and director with over 15 years of senior management experience
Others Include:
- Mr. A. Grayson, (English), – General Manager
- Mr G, Nadar, (Indian), – Clearing & Forwarding Manager
- Mr Parthiban A, (Indian) – Finance Manager
- Mr S.P. Gupta, (Indian), – Bills & Costing Department
- Mr Paul Adeleke – ICT Manager
- • Mr. Makinde Sunday Aluko – Traffic Manager
- Mr J. Wayo – Release Manager
- Mr Sunil Verghese, (Indian), – Branch Manager Port Harcourt