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
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.”
