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 – 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.
