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: N1.7 trillion
Mariya Aliko Dangote was appointed to the Board of Dangote Cement Plc on 25th July, 2005.
She is an Executive Director, Operations for Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. Prior to the announcement in July 2023, she was the Director of Strategy/BIP Support with several years of experience in Risk Management and Business Strategy.
Mariya holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Bayero University, Kano, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Coventry University, United Kingdom.
She was a Group Strategy Lead, Dangote Industries Limited, a position she held until her redeployment to Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc in 2019.
Mariya also serves on the Board of Dangote – Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), Dangote Cement Limited and Al–Ummah Development Foundation, amongst others.
She is a fellow of the National Institute of Credit Administration, has attended many local and international professional training programmes on Leadership, Business Development and Law.
