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 – 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).
