Meet the 15 most powerful female CFOs leading publicly listed companies in Nigeria

In Nigeria’s corporate landscape, women at the helm of finance functions are playing pivotal roles in steering balance sheets, driving growth, and consolidating performance.

These Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) oversee trillions in assets, navigating complex regulatory frameworks while shaping strategy across industries from banking and insurance to oil, gas, and consumer goods.

The influence of these finance leaders extends beyond numbers. They embody resilience, international exposure, and technical depth, combining strong academic pedigrees with hands-on experience in treasury, taxation, and corporate finance. Their leadership has been instrumental in growing profitability, shoring up investor confidence, and positioning their companies for long-term sustainability.

In 2024, the ranking of Nigeria’s top female CFOs by assets managed offers an insightful snapshot of where financial leadership meets corporate performance. From mega-banking groups to consumer goods giants, these women are charting paths that redefine financial management in Africa’s largest economy.

Below is a breakdown of the top female CFOs in Nigeria’s listed companies by total assets under management in 2024.  

Top female CFOs in Nigeria by total assets managed as of 2024 

 Victoria Adeku – Eunisell Interlink Plc

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N890 million  

• Appointed in August 2023 and resuming on August 28, 2023, Victoria Adekdu has two years in Eunisell Interlink. While her prior organizational history is not available, her relatively fast rise into a listed-company CFO position underscores her growing relevance in Nigeria’s financial leadership pipeline. Adekdu represents the new wave of female executives defining the service sector’s future.
• Victoria is a Certified Accountant with over 7 years’ experience in Accounting, Tax Compliance; and Administrative role across the Financial services, Manufacturing and Engineering sectors. She is goal oriented, pays attention to details and passionate in delivering her assigned duties.
• Eunisell Interlinked reported a 161.67% jump in PAT to N262 million in 2024, from N100 million in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents surged 4,542.83% to N87 million, compared to just N2 million in 2023. Market capitalization grew from N4.56 billion at year-end 2024 to N6.04 billion as of August 21, 2025.
• She is a graduate of Sociology from University of Lagos and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN).

 Oluwakemi Ogunnumi – Academy Press Plc

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N3.62 billion 

• Appointed in 2023, Oluwakemi Ogunnumi has two years of service at Academy Press and over 19 years of experience. She joined from CAP Plc, where she gained financial management experience in the industrial and services sector. Her appointment reflects Academy Press’s ongoing transition into digital publishing and strategic restructuring, making her role pivotal in ensuring the company adapts to the evolving media landscape.
• She has held various management positions at reputable organizations, including UAC of Nigeria Plc and CAP Plc, where she served as Managing Director and Head of Financial services.
• Academy Press posted an 873.34% increase in PAT to N716 million in 2024, compared to N74 million in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents rose 177.63% to N774 million, up from N279 million in 2023. Market capitalization nearly tripled, climbing from N2.27 billion at the end of 2024 to N6.80 billion by August 21, 2025.
• Ogunnumi brings extensive managerial experience and strong academic credentials to her new role, holding an Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA) certification and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).

Cordelia Isioma Ojeile – Learn Africa Plc

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N5.90 billion 

• Having served since 2012, Ojeile Cordelia is among the longest-tenured female CFOs in Nigeria’s listed companies, with 12 years in Learn Africa Plc. Her earlier role at the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria equipped her with a strong grasp of compliance and tax optimization. Cordelia’s longevity highlights her stability in steering the finances of one of Nigeria’s enduring publishing and educational services companies.
• She joined Longman Nigeria PLC in 1998 as an Assistant Accountant and rose to the position of Assistant Management Accountant in 2006. She was appointed Management Accountant in 2009, and thereafter made the interim Head of Human Resource and Administration in 2011. In 2012, she rose to the position of Head of Finance and was appointed the Finance Director on 11 December 2014.
• Learn Africa recorded a dramatic turnaround, with PAT rising to N475 million in 2024 from just N11 million in 2023 — a 4,142.77% surge. Cash and cash equivalents grew 151.07% to N1.23 billion, compared to N489 million in the prior year. Market capitalization advanced from N3.91 billion at year-end 2024 to N6.08 billion as of August 21, 2025.
• Cordelia is an associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). She is an alumna of Yaba College of Technology.

Nkechi Ojeyokan – Berger Paints Plc

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N7.52 billion 

• Appointed in April 2024 and resuming in May 2024, Nkechi Ojeyokan is among the newer CFOs. She brings experience from Champion Breweries PLC, where she helped manage financial operations in the consumer beverage sector. With 1 year 4 months of service already, Ojeyokan’s role at Berger Paints highlights the intersection between industrial and consumer-facing finance in Nigeria’s listed companies.
• She has over 15 years of experience spanning finance, audit, and control roles, particularly within the manufacturing and FMCG sectors. Her track record of driving financial excellence, strategic growth, innovation, digital transformation, and people development, demonstrates her expertise, professionalism, leadership, and business transformation capabilities.
• She previously held the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at The Big Bottling Company Ltd in 2023, where she oversaw the Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Procurement functions. Before that, she was Finance Director of Champion Breweries Plc, and had worked at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Staples Business Advantage (UK), and Rentokil Initial (UK).
• Berger Paints grew PAT by 37.17% year-on-year, reaching N611 million in 2024 compared to N445 million in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents, however, fell 70.44% to N237 million, down from N802 million in 2023. Market capitalization increased modestly from N5.80 billion in December 2024 to N9.27 billion by August 2025.
• Nkechi holds two Bachelor’s Degrees: in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, UK. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Finance and Investment from the University of Ulster, UK. She is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Nigeria (ICAN), and of the Financial Reporting Council Nigeria.

Nonye Offorjamah – Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N11.98 billion 

• Nonye Offorjamah joined Neimeth in September 2024, having previously worked at Simba Group. With less than a year in the pharmaceutical and healthcare space, her appointment reflects Neimeth’s strategy to inject fresh expertise into its financial leadership. Offorjamah’s cross-sector background brings adaptability to the challenges of Nigeria’s healthcare industry, which faces issues of rising input costs and regulatory hurdles.
• She began her professional career as an NYSC Tax Trainee in KPMG Nigeria in 2001, before joining Microdigits in 2002. She moved to May & Baker Nigeria Plc in 2006, occupying roles such as Input Control Officer, Bank Reconciliation Officer, Payable Manager, and Group Tax Manager & Subsidiary Accounts Manager. In April 2024, she became Group Accounts Manager at Simba Group before her appointment at Neimeth.
• Neimeth reduced its losses in 2024, posting a negative PAT of N885 million compared to a N1.80 billion loss in 2023, reflecting a 50.75% improvement. Cash and cash equivalents dipped by 11.63% to N2.15 billion. Market capitalization rose from N9.79 billion at year-end 2024 to N28.63 billion by August 21, 2025.
• With about 24 years of cumulative finance experience, Offorjamah brings extensive expertise to her current role. She holds an HND in Accounting from Ondo State Polytechnic (now Rufus Giwa Polytechnic) and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) as well as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACT).

Yemisi Rotimi – Leadway Assurance Company Limited

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N38.62 billion  

• Appointed in March 2021, Yemisi Rotimi has spent 4 years 6 months at Leadway Assurance. In addition to her role, she continues as a Non-Executive Director at Capworth Consulting Ltd, signaling her strong presence in both executive and governance roles. Rotimi’s leadership comes at a crucial time as Nigeria’s insurance sector undergoes recapitalization efforts, requiring careful capital allocation and robust financial strategies.

• She is a qualified accountant with over 25 years’ experience as a senior Finance executive, having held senior positions within global organizations including Royal Mail Plc, Bank of Ireland, and Lehman Brothers. Yemisi began her career in practice with BDO before moving into industry and financial services, covering Finance functions such as Planning, Budgeting, Regulatory Reporting, Risk, Treasury, Tax, Procurement, and Financial Control.

• Leadway Assurance posted a 107.47% increase in PAT to N5.97 billion in 2024, up from N2.88 billion in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents surged 112.68% to N20.31 billion, compared to N9.55 billion in the previous year.
• She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Greenwich, UK, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA). She is also an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA, UK) and Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMA). Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration focusing on Risk Management at London Southbank University.

Folake Ogundipe – Unilever Nigeria (Consumer Goods)

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N134.35 billion  

• Folake Ogundipe was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Unilever Nigeria Plc in March 2022 and resumed in April 2022. She has dedicated over 5 years at Unilever Nigeria, rising to become Executive Director and National Finance Director.
• Prior to this, she was Chief Financial Officer for Pivot Energy Services (a Honeywell company) and held senior finance positions at Nigerdock Nigeria Ltd., Subsea7 S.A UK, Phillips Consulting Ltd., and IBTC (now Stanbic IBTC). Altogether, she has built a formidable career spanning more than 20 years in finance and corporate leadership.
• Unilever Nigeria saw PAT decline by 7.74% to N15.14 billion in 2024, down from N16.41 billion in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents grew 20.71% year-on-year to N68.44 billion, compared to N56.70 billion previously. Market capitalization more than doubled, from N189.30 billion at the end of 2024 to N439.49 billion as of August 21, 2025.
• She holds a B.Sc. in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and an M.Sc. in Management from the University of Leicester, UK. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK.

Hélène Paradisi – Beta Glass Plc (Industrial Goods)

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N141.64 billion  

• Appointed CFO in July 2024 and resuming on August 6, 2024, Hélène Paradisi is among the newest executives on this list.

• She previously served as Finance Director at CFAO’s Automotive Division in Lagos, where she restored profitability in 2021, and as Regional Finance Manager at MAXAM, overseeing seven West African countries. She brings over 20 years of international finance experience across consulting, logistics, automotive, and mining, and has been active in Africa since 2009.

• Beta Glass delivered a 111.52% rise in PAT to N13.63 billion in 2024, from N6.44 billion in 2023. However, cash and cash equivalents fell sharply by 60.26% year-on-year to N10.65 billion, compared to N26.81 billion a year earlier. Market capitalization rose from N38.94 billion in December 2024 to N245.09 billion by August 21, 2025.
• A French national, Paradisi holds advanced qualifications in Management and Finance. Her global exposure and diverse background in financial leadership position her strongly to drive Beta Glass’s cost management and regional expansion strategies.

Sarah Pollard – PZ Cussons (Consumer Goods)

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N157.06 billion  

• Sarah Pollard was appointed CFO of PZ Cussons in January 2021.
• She previously worked at Nomad Foods, Europe’s leading frozen food company, where she was Deputy CFO and later CFO of Birds Eye. Before then, she held senior finance roles at Diageo, Tesco, and Unilever, and worked in M&A at Deutsche Bank. With over 27 years of work experience in finance leadership across FMCG and investment banking, she brings deep expertise in shareholder value creation.
• PZ Cussons returned to profitability in 2024, reporting a PAT of N5.54 billion compared to a loss of N76.02 billion in 2023, marking a 107.28% turnaround. Cash and cash equivalents rose 40.84% year-on-year to N40.66 billion. Market capitalization increased from N96.48 billion in December 2024 to N138.97 billion by August 21, 2025.
• She holds an MA in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford and is a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA).

Babafunke Adesua Ijaya-Oladipo – UACN (Consumer Goods)

Total assets being managed as of 2024 –  N157.72 billion  

• Babafunke Adesua Ijaya-Oladipo was appointed Group Finance Director of UAC on July 28, 2021. Prior to this, she served as UAC’s Group CFO and Head of Investor Relations.
• She began her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs in London, before joining Standard Bank Group, where she completed over 25 capital market and M&A transactions in South Africa and Nigeria. At Stanbic IBTC Capital, she led the equity capital markets division and executed multiple cross-border deals. Altogether, she has more than 17 years of operational finance, corporate finance, and capital markets experience.
• UACN’s PAT improved by 83.10% year-on-year, rising to N16.31 billion in 2024 from N8.91 billion in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents increased 60.64% to N40.59 billion, up from N25.27 billion in 2023. Market capitalization more than doubled, climbing from N92.03 billion at the end of 2024 to N233.94 billion as of August 21, 2025.
• She holds a B.Sc. in Economics and an M.Sc. in Project & Enterprise Management, both from University College London (UCL). She is a CFA Charterholder and serves on the advisory board of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Africa (SEO Africa).

Ngozi Ola-Israel – AXA Mansard (Financial Services)

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N193.60 billion  

• Ngozi Ola-Israel was appointed CFO of AXA Mansard in December 2017 after serving as Group Head of Financial Control. She has now spent over 7 years in the role and nearly 12 years in the AXA group.
• Before AXA, she worked at PwC, where she developed expertise in audit and advisory. Altogether, she has 18 years of professional experience.
• AXA Mansard delivered a 115.50% increase in PAT to N25.97 billion in 2024, up from N12.05 billion in 2023. However, cash and cash equivalents declined by 23.37% year-on-year to N20.06 billion, compared to N26.17 billion in 2023. Market capitalization rose from N73.80 billion at year-end 2024 to N141.75 billion in August 2025.
• She holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) and has completed Harvard Business School’s Executive Program on “Succeeding as a Strategic CFO.”

Bisola Elias – AIICO Insurance (Financial Services)

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N416.38 billion  

• Bisola Elias was appointed CFO of AIICO Insurance in late 2023, resuming in January 2024. She has been with AIICO since 2007 following its merger with Nigerian French Insurance, and has built over 20 years of career experience in the insurance industry.
• Her expertise spans finance operations, cost management, financial reporting, and corporate leadership.
• AIICO Insurance recorded a 24.43% PAT growth, reaching N15.10 billion in 2024 from N12.14 billion in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents nearly doubled, climbing 90.85% to N35.16 billion, up from N18.42 billion in 2023. Market capitalization advanced from N52.35 billion in December 2024 to N143.49 billion as of August 21, 2025.
• She holds an HND in Accountancy from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, an MBA in Risk Management from the University of Cumbria, UK, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. She is also an alumna of Lagos Business School.

Adebimpe Olambiwonnu – Sterling Bank (Financial Services)

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N3.54 trillion  

• Adebimpe (Bimpe) Olambiwonnu began her finance career with NAL Bank, Nigeria’s premier merchant bank, before transitioning to Sterling Bank after the merger. Over her 32-year career, she has shaped financial monitoring processes and supported Sterling Bank’s sustained growth as part of its finance leadership team.

• SterlingNG posted a 102.35% increase in PAT to N43.68 billion in 2024, up from N21.58 billion in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents rose by 43.42% to N867.13 billion, compared to N604.60 billion in the prior year. Market capitalization grew from N161.23 billion at year-end 2024 to N396.09 billion by August 21, 2025.
• She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, among other professional institutions.

Eleanor Adaralegbe – Seplat Energy (Oil & Gas)

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N9.82 trillion  

• Eleanor Adaralegbe was appointed CFO of Seplat Energy on May 21, 2024, after serving in the company for more than 10 years. She joined Seplat in February 2015 and has held roles including VP of Finance, with oversight of Finance, Tax, and Supply Chain Management.
• Her earlier career included positions at Ernst & Young, ConocoPhillips, Ocean Energy (Devon Energy subsidiary), Atlantic Energy, and Addax Petroleum. She has 30 years of cumulative experience in oil, gas, and professional services.
• Seplat Energy recorded a 163.43% growth in PAT, climbing to N214.25 billion in 2024 from N81.33 billion in 2023. Cash and cash equivalents rose 78.20% year-on-year to N721.39 billion, compared to N404.83 billion in 2023. Market capitalization closed at N3.35 trillion in December 2024 but moderated slightly to N3.23 trillion as of August 21, 2025.
• She holds a Mathematics degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, an M.Sc. in Global Finance from City University of London (Bayes Business School) and is a Fellow of ICAN. She is also an alumna of Harvard Business School.

Morounke Olufemi – Access Holdings (Financial Services)

Total assets being managed as of 2024 – N41.49 trillion 

• Morounke Olufemi was appointed CFO of Access Holdings in 2022 and has served for nearly three years.
• She previously worked at AXA XL, Lehman Brothers, Barclays Investment Bank, and the UK Home Office, with over 20 years of experience across finance, investment banking, and multinational corporations. She also co-led the creation of $500m and $200m investment vehicles with Nigeria’s Sovereign Investment Authority in 2016, targeting real estate and agriculture.
• Access Holdings reported a 3.70% year-on-year rise in profit after tax (PAT) to N642.22 billion in 2024, from N619.32 billion in 2023. The group’s cash and cash equivalents surged by 70.66%, reaching N5.22 trillion in 2024 compared to N3.06 trillion a year earlier. Market capitalization stood at N847.75 billion as of December 31, 2024, and increased further to N1.44 trillion by August 21, 2025.
• She holds a B.Sc. in Economics and Accounting (2:1) from CASS Business School, London, an MBA from Durham Business School, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration. She is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), an alumna of Oxford Saïd Business School, and has attended executive programs at the Centre for Creative Leadership, Switzerland.