Across Nigeria’s manufacturing and fast-moving consumer goods sector(FMCG), a growing number of women are rising to the highest levels of corporate leadership, shaping strategy, driving innovation, and influencing boardroom decisions at companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).
Historically dominated by male executives, Nigeria’s industrial and manufacturing landscape is gradually witnessing a shift as more women assume senior executive roles in publicly listed companies.
From food processing and consumer goods to cement and pharmaceuticals, female C-suite leaders are helping steer some of the country’s most recognisable brands while delivering value for shareholders and strengthening corporate governance.
Their presence reflects a broader push toward gender inclusion in corporate Nigeria. Recent governance data shows that women now occupy over 30% of board seats among the NGX-30 companies, highlighting a gradual but significant improvement in female representation at the highest levels of decision-making.
While the number of women in executive roles remains relatively small compared to their male counterparts, their impact is increasingly visible.
Female executives across Nigeria’s manufacturing/FMCG companies are playing pivotal roles in areas such as operations, finance, strategy, and supply chain management functions critical to sustaining growth in a sector that contributes significantly to the country’s industrial output.
These leaders are also helping to reshape workplace culture by promoting diversity, talent development, and inclusive leadership within their organisations.
Their career journeys often span decades of experience across multinational corporations, regional markets, and local industries, equipping them with the expertise needed to navigate complex operating environments.
In respect to the International Women’s Day celebration, we spotlight influential female C-suite executives leading manufacturing and FMCG companies listed on the NGX.
We also rank them based on the overall market capitalization of the companies as of February 27, 2026.
Market cap: N280.9billion
Funke Ijaiya-Oladipo is a finance, capital markets, and leadership expert with 20 years of experience across Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. She has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in capital and led complex mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings through her work at Goldman Sachs and the Standard Bank Group.
As Group Finance Director at UAC of Nigeria PLC, Funke is part of the leadership team providing strategic and financial oversight across a portfolio of category-defining companies that nourish millions of Nigerians, employ thousands, and power key sectors of the economy, including packaged food, beverages, paints, logistics, and real estate.
She is responsible for the Group’s finance strategy, treasury and capital markets, and investor relations, while providing financial stewardship and governance oversight across its operating subsidiaries.
Since joining UAC in 2020, Funke has transformed how finance supports strategy, driven value creation across UAC’s portfolio, and strengthened investor confidence.
Her leadership is defined by disciplined capital allocation, operational excellence, and flawless execution.
Funke serves on the boards of UAC of Nigeria PLC, CHI Limited (Chivita|Hollandia), Grand Cereals Limited, and UAC Foods Limited, as well as the Advisory Board of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Africa, a non-profit focused on developing African youths into future leaders.
Beyond the boardroom, she is passionate about leadership and talent development, advancing gender equity, and African excellence.
She holds a B.Sc. in Economics and an M.Sc. in Project & Enterprise Management, both from University College London (UCL), and is a CFA charterholder.
