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 – 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.
