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: N2.4 trillion
Chinyere is an experienced finance professional with a strong track record in financial management, reporting, and strategic decision support within Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.
She currently serves as Country Finance Manager at International Breweries Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading brewing companies and a subsidiary of global beverage giant AB InBev.
Before joining International Breweries in May 2020, she spent nearly seven years at Unilever, where she held several finance leadership roles within the multinational consumer goods company’s Nigerian operations.
At Unilever, she served as Supply Chain Finance Manager, partnering with operational teams to improve cost management and support financial decision-making across manufacturing and supply chain activities.
Prior to that, she worked as Manufacturing Finance Manager, where she was responsible for financial oversight of production operations, including cost analysis, budgeting, and performance monitoring.
Her earlier roles at Unilever included Information Analyst and Financial Reporting Accountant.
Chinyere began her professional career in the audit and professional services sector at KPMG, where she worked as a Senior Associate in Audit for nearly five years.
Academically, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She is also a chartered accountant, having earned the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
