Across Nigeria’s largest publicly traded companies those that make up the Nigerian Exchange’s NGX-30 index women remain underrepresented in top executive roles but are increasingly shaping corporate strategy, governance, and performance.
According to the 2025 PWR Advisory NGX-30 Board Gender Diversity Scorecard, women now hold 31.1 percent of board seats among the top 30 listed companies, a modest increase from 29.7 percent in 2024.
Nairametrics While board makeup still skews male, 13 female executives currently serve as Executive Directors in these companies.
Their responsibilities span operations, risk management, finance, compliance, and strategic growth across diverse sectors such as banking, manufacturing, energy, consumer goods, and oil & gas.
Their roles include oversight of core business units, risk controls, financial governance, and market expansion.
These women are instrumental in guiding corporate policy, risk management, and operational execution at the highest level of Nigeria’s corporate landscape.
Here are the 13 female executive directors powering Nigeria’s NGX-30 companies, listed with roles and affiliations:
1. Mrs. Adobi Nwapa – Executive Director, Zenith Bank Plc
2. Mrs. Kemisola Ajasa – Executive Director, Nestlé Nigeria Plc
3. Mrs. Temitope Oguntokun – Executive Director, International Breweries Plc
4. Mrs. Eleanor Adaralegbe – Chief Financial Officer & Executive Director, Seplat Energy Plc
5. Mrs. Olufunke Amobi – Executive Director, Operations, Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited
6. Mrs. Ayotola Jagun – Executive Director, Oando Plc
7. Ms. Chinyere Ezeugwu – Finance Director, International Breweries Plc
8. Mrs. Maria Karaseva – Finance/Executive Director, International Breweries Plc
9. Ms. Felicia Obozuwa – Executive Director, Corporate Services and Service Management, FCMB Group Plc
10. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olaiya – Executive Director, Risk Management and Compliance, FCMB Group Plc
11. Ms. Mariya Aliko Dangote – Executive Director, Operations, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc
12. Ms. Bolaji Agbede – Executive Director, Access Holdings Plc
13. Mrs. Pamela Shodipo – Executive Director, South Directorate, Fidelity Bank Plc
Nairametrics Selected executive profiles and career highlights (based on available information):
Mrs. Pamela Shodipo – Fidelity Bank PlcMrs. Shodipo leads the South Directorate at Fidelity Bank. She brings more than 25 years of cross-border experience in banking, having held senior roles in major institutions including United Commercial Bank, Zenith Bank, and United Bank for Africa (UBA).
At UBA she advanced to Regional Director and later Managing Director/CEO of UBA Benin Republic before joining Fidelity Bank.
She holds a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Lagos, an MBA from the University of Wales College, Cardiff, and has completed executive programmes at Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, and the University of Oxford.
Nairametrics Ms. Bolaji Agbede – Access Holdings PlcMs. Agbede is a Nigerian banker who served as Executive Director at Access Holdings and subsequently became the acting Group CEO in February 2024 following the passing of the group’s former CEO. Her career at Access began in 2003.
Prior to her executive role, she was Group Human Resources Director and led business support functions across the group.
WikipediaOther executives on the list include senior leaders from major consumer, energy, and industrial corporations, reflecting a cross-sector presence of female leadership at the executive level.The growth in female representation at executive and board levels corresponds with broader trends in corporate governance emphasizing diversity, risk oversight, and sustainable leadership. This aligns with global and local calls for deeper gender inclusion and professional representation in corporate leadership structures.�
Source: Nairametrics
