Meet the Women Redefining Power in Nigeria’s Boardrooms

A new generation of Nigerian women is not just “breaking into” leadership, they are running some of the country’s most powerful institutions and setting new standards for performance, governance and impact.

Recent surveys of listed Nigerian companies show that women now occupy just over a fifth of board seats, a marked improvement from a decade ago. 

Yet at the very top, women still hold only around one in ten CEO positions. The gap remains significant, but that 10% now includes leaders managing trillions of naira in assets and steering critical sectors like banking, energy, infrastructure and digital technology.

Dr Adaora Umeoji – Group MD/CEO, Zenith Bank

When Dr Adaora Umeoji assumed office as Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank, she made history as the bank’s first female chief executive and one of the most powerful women in African banking. With over three decades of experience, including more than 25 years at Zenith, she now leads one of Nigeria’s largest and most profitable financial institutions.

Her leadership is defined by disciplined risk management, strategic digital innovation and a strong tilt towards SMEs and women-led businesses. For many young professionals, Umeoji’s rise signals a new reality: the top floor of Nigerian banking is no longer a “no-go area” for women.

Miriam Olusanya – MD, Guaranty Trust Bank

As Managing Director of GTBank, Miriam Olusanya sits at the helm of one of Africa’s most recognisable financial brands. A seasoned banker with deep expertise in treasury and corporate banking, she has become a central figure in GTBank’s evolution into a more agile, technology-driven institution.

Olusanya’s tenure has reinforced the bank’s reputation for strong fundamentals, disciplined growth and digital leadership. In a market where GTBank is closely watched by investors and regulators alike, her presence in the corner office normalises what once seemed unlikely – a woman leading one of the country’s flagship financial giants.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe – GMD/CEO, Fidelity Bank

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe became the first female Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank and has since repositioned the institution as a serious contender in retail and SME banking. Under her watch, Fidelity has deepened its digital footprint, expanded lending to small businesses and launched targeted initiatives for women entrepreneurs.

Beyond financial performance, Onyeali-Ikpe has emerged as a visible advocate for women in corporate Nigeria. She regularly champions continuous learning, courage and collaboration as the levers women must use to claim space at the highest levels of leadership.

Yemisi Edun – MD/CEO, First City Monument Bank (FCMB)

A trained chemist turned finance professional, Yemisi Edun rose through the ranks at FCMB to become its first female Managing Director/CEO. Previously the bank’s Chief Financial Officer, she brings a rare blend of technical expertise, financial discipline and strategic clarity to the role.

Under her leadership, FCMB has sharpened its focus on financial inclusion, SME financing and community-driven banking. Edun is part of a new wave of Nigerian leaders demonstrating that profitability, strong governance and social impact are not competing goals but complementary pillars of sustainable growth.

Owen Diana Omogiafo – President/Group CEO, Transcorp Group

As President/Group CEO of Transcorp, Owen Diana Omogiafo oversees a diversified conglomerate with interests in power, hospitality and oil & gas. She is one of the youngest chief executives to lead a major company on the Nigerian Exchange and the first woman to occupy the role at Transcorp.

Her agenda has centred on stabilising and scaling Transcorp’s power generation assets, deepening value in hospitality and positioning the group as a long-term infrastructure and energy player. Omogiafo’s journey – from human resources and strategy roles into the group CEO seat – disrupts the old notion that only traditional finance or operations paths lead to the very top.

Folake Soetan – CEO, Ikeja Electric

In the challenging world of power distribution, Folake Soetan stands out as CEO of Ikeja Electric, one of Nigeria’s largest electricity distribution companies. Her role demands equal parts technical understanding, regulatory navigation and stakeholder management.

She has led efforts to improve customer service, expand metering, reduce losses and drive gradual operational transformation in a sector often associated with frustration and public criticism. Soetan’s leadership underscores an important message: women are not confined to “soft” sectors – they are increasingly running heavy industry and utilities too.