Christiana on respect, culture, and growth

At Maple Groves Distribution Centre, Warehouse Supervisor Christiana Adigun leads with the same care and intention she first learned as a child in Nigeria. Long before she thought about leadership or supply chain, she learned something lasting at home in Nigeria, seated beside her mother’s sewing machine in a small fashion shop. While her mother worked with customers, Christiana gathered the leftover scraps of fabric and stitched dresses for her dolls. It was how she learned to sew. It was also how she learned that fabric carries meaning.

As she grew older, Christiana worked with traditional Nigerian textiles such as Adire, Ankara, and Aso Oke. Each carried cultural meaning, shaped by history, identity, and tradition. “They’re deeply rooted in our culture, our identity,” she says. Colours, textures, and patterns quietly tell where someone comes from, what they value, and what they carry forward.

Today in Canada, these fabrics help Christiana stay connected to home. She still sews, often making dresses for herself and sometimes for colleagues and friends. Wearing these fabrics reminds her who she is and where she comes from.

Her journey at Loblaw began as a warehouse assembler. Curious and attentive, she asked questions, built relationships, and took pride in her work. Over time, that curiosity grew into an interest in supply chain. She continued her studies, moved through several roles, and became a warehouse supervisor.

She credits her growth to consistency rather than perfection. “The smallest things matter,” she says. “Being diligent. Being respectful in how you communicate. Asking questions. Making yourself visible.”

Respect is central to how Christiana leads. In Nigerian culture, respect is learned early through how you speak, listen, and treat others. In Canada, she learned that respect also means using your voice.

“I learned to stand up for myself,” she says, “To speak my truth.” These experiences shaped a leadership style grounded in empathy, openness, and trust, reflecting Loblaw’s CORE value of Respect.

Connection, she believes, is essential to growth. Her message to others is simple but powerful: “Embrace diversity. As you’re embracing your roots, you should also embrace others.” Growth depends on listening as much as leading.“A tree does not make a forest,” Christiana says. “You need to connect with other people.”

As we mark Black History Month, Christiana’s story reflects how culture, community, and collective strength are built quietly and steadily through respect, care, and the many threads we choose to weave together.