A report by the Council on Foreign Relations and Women’s Rights on growing economies through gender parity forecasts an astounding 23% surge in Nigeria’s GDP, if women participate in the economy at a level commensurate with men. Indeed, the economic landscape of Nigeria stands poised for transformative growth, and the active participation of women is the key to unlocking its full potential.

Despite the security challenges in the country, coupled with the removal of subsidy on petrol and the critical reform of the foreign exchange market, these female chief executives in Nigeria have distinguished themselves through rare managerial ingenuity and exceptional corporate governance in their quest for national development.

Olubukola Adubi: Adding value to life and Nigeria’s economy

Olubukola Adubi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MicCom Cables and Wires Ltd., Lagos, is a woman of high business acumen and a reputable manager of resources. The pharmacist-cum-economist has had a colourful professional journey that spans over 20 years. Within this period, she has served and excelled in different sectors that cut across pharmaceuticals, finance and manufacturing.

In spite of the harsh business environment, occasioned by the prevailing depreciation of the Naira, security challenges, removal of fuel subsidy and other critical reforms in the foreign exchange market, Adubi has been able to navigate MicCom to optimal operational effectiveness, efficiency and visibility.  She made this possible through the application of best management practices, prudent management of resources, as well as excellent corporate governance principles.  Her creativity and innovation in the cable manufacturing industry has immensely contributed to the benefit & industrial growth of Nigeria. 

MicCom’s huge investment in Research & Development, in addition to her creation of numerous skilled manpower has contributed to Nigeria’s GDP. She boasts of about 5, 000 direct workforce and another 5,000 indirect labour. What that means is that the company has taken a number of youths out of the street, away from criminal activities, which has been one of the biggest challenges in Nigeria.

In the area of empowerment and social corporate responsibility, MicCom, under Adubi’s leadership, has done a lot by building roads in the immediate community where the company is located. Apart from that, the company has built about 500 boreholes in several communities in Osun state, facilities that are easy to maintain by the benefitting communities. The company also set up a cancer centre Foundation to immortalize Adubi’s late mother, a co-founder of MicCom, Engr. Comfort Olufunke Ponnle, who incidentally had died of cancer. 

What are the secrets of her success? “It was extremely daunting,” she explains, “but we made it through, and I can say we achieved the feat through dedication to duty and being focused on the set goal. I firmly believe also that it boils down to transparency, tenacity and collaboration with my team. Often, openness to learning and vulnerability in the place of knowledge go a long way. People are typically eager to teach you if you truly desire to learn. I believe this gave us tremendous leverage, and we were able to reach the top.” 

Adubi’s appetite for knowledge is almost insatiable as she has made it a sort of personal policy to update her knowledge every two years. She is presently doing an MBA simultaneously with a doctoral degree despite her tight job schedule.

Adubi, the CEO of MicCom Cables, one of the leading cable manufacturers in Nigeria, who has been the President of the Cable Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CAMAN) for the past two years, commended the Standard Organisation (SON) for its collaborative efforts and regular visits to manufacturers. She said these have not only ensured that quality is maintained but also the regulations are strictly observed by members. According to her, SON has helped in eradicating substandard products from the Nigeria market and ensured that fake foreign products are not allowed into the system. She believes that if this cordial relationship is maintained between SON and cable manufacturers, Nigeria will be the hub of cable manufacturing in Africa.

Adubi’s manpower capacity building is second to none. She has invested heavily in staff training, their welfare and the members of their families, disclosing that MicCom Cables and Wires has the best staff in the cable manufacturing industry in Nigeria. She maintained that the good relationship she has built with her employees over time have made them realize that they have a stake in the company. According to her, whether she’s around or not her workers know what to do for the company to move forward.

MicCom Cables and Wires Ltd, the first indigenous cable manufacturer in Nigeria, established in 1978, is the only cable manufacturer with a triple ISO-certification. She has other national & international certifications.

Cynthia Gregg: A woman of impact excelling as a security practitioner

Dr. Cynthia Gregg is one of those few adventurous Nigerian women operating in areas traditionally considered to be the men’s world – security – and is excelling in it. She is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Safety Signatures Limited, a private security firm she founded 10 years ago in her quest to create a platform for employment, empowerment and engagement. 

Safety Signatures has made giant strides in the Nigeria private security sector. Its commitment to security service excellence to clients across various sectors and helping to shape the industry’s quest for better reforms in the private security industry has been unwavering. “We have built a reputation for delivering exceptional value for our clients,” Gregg said, “by helping them secure their security for profit maximization; thanks to our industry knowledge and strategic partnerships.”

The company has been a beacon of hope to many, men and women alike. Most of its vendors are not just women but women of integrity and resilience. Same applies to its strategic units and back-end office support. Gregg disclosed that Safety Signatures has given support to different NGOs, contributed to countless projects to empower, educate and engage people to aspire and achieve their passions. “Do you want to talk about the various advocacy programmes financed by us to sensitize and encourage Nigerians to vote because their votes truly count? Many have labeled me a philantropist because of my goodwill here and there. Kindness is important for living as a show of love.” According to her, as humans, “our humanity is defined by the impact we make in the lives of others, which informs one of my favourite quotes: ‘Better light a candle than curse the darkness’ – a Chinese proverb.”

The success achieved by Safety Signatures did not come without challenges. According to Gregg, the challenges faced by her company, like others in the security industry are diverse, enormous and affect different companies in varying ways and degrees. She explains: “Our business is people-based. We are constantly advertising for workforce for an industry that’s not a first choice for job seekers or career prospects, yet we are needed by all. Others are non-attractive pay package which also contributes to the unattractive nature of the job to job seekers. Nevertheless, with sensitization, we are able to inspire hope and get the commitment of our team members on the journey to security service excellence.”

 She disclosed that the security industry is rated the third largest employer of labour in Nigeria. “So, why will the government not prioritize it frontally by providing all resources to empower all our warriors to stamp their signatures of safety on all the formations of the security architecture, both government and private, in Nigeria?”

She said the critical reforms in the foreign exchange market have taken their toll on the private security business. She explains: “You see, it’s more difficult to break even now because most of our materials, especially gadgets and textile, are imported; the exchange rate has further inflated cost of trading. Where there’s no corresponding and commensurate increase in our receivables, it can affect return on investment (roi).”

In spite of these daunting challenges, the Chief Executive Officer of Safety Signatures has been able to navigate her company to optimal operational effectiveness, efficiency and visibility. She attributes this to the company’s passion to transform the private security sector through a platform. “Our focus is performance because consistency in performance becomes our profit. Performance has earned us visibility and strategic positioning. You need passion. When you do what you love, everything becomes easy.”

Gregg who describes herself as “a woman of impact” advises those who have power to empower others just like she does. “I am an intentional woman of grace, rare wisdom with discernment, deep-rooted knowledge of her crafts, with strength and vigor. These attributes make me powerful. I am a powerful woman; I am a security practitioner, a school director, a parish pastor with RCCG and a certified mediator with Lagos Multi-door Court.”

Chime Strives For Excellence, Repositioning Businesses 

Nkiru Sylvia Chime currently sits at the board of Transkredit Finance Company Limited as a director, aside heading the audit committee of the organisation.

Added to her cap is the responsibility of leading the Infrastructure Bank Nigeria PLC, as the Managing Director (MD) and also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organisation, although on acting capacity. 

With strong finance background that spans across financial management, risk management, taxation, banking, insurance, asset management, pensions and operations management gained through about a decade of experience in the financial service, Chime’s visionary leadership style has enable her to inspire people around her to embrace change, push boundaries and strive for excellence. 

The 1999 University of Benin trained microbiologist has since leaving school embraced numerical studies and in 2007 became an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). She has also undertaken the CFO programme at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA.

 

Starting her career with KPMG, she rose through the ranks to the position of manager, audit and business advisory. She has also functioned in different senior and executive leadership capacities, including Head of Financial Control at ASO Savings and Loans Plc., Chief Financial Officer at Abuja Leasing Company, CFO and ED Finance responsible for strategic direction and operation of VBank and VFD Tech and Director and CFO at Norrenberger Financial Group.

With proven history of driving strategic initiatives to improve performance and generate sustainable growth, Chime has led organisational transformation through change management and stakeholder engagement, which enabled her to drive for operational excellence and process optimisation. 

While at KPMG, she served on the firm’s technical desk as well as represented KPMG on the Insurance Industry Technical Committee of NAICOM.

Chime career accomplishments include the design and lead of implementation of a management information system with an integrated budgeting and performance reporting capability that has improved performance and management information presentation; champion an operational efficiency change process that led to the reduction of operating costs by about 25 per cent; led reconciliation of tax audit reviews in different organisations and achieved the reduction in assessed tax liability of over 90 per cent at each exercise and a combined value of over N3billion and also introduced practices to improve tax avoidance in the companies, among others. 

For her business acumen, leadership and management style, she was in 2009 given a commendation award by the National Partner, KPMG Professional Services for her ‘innovation in the audit approach of loans and risk assets of financial institutions. A year before that, precisely in 2008 the Senior Partner (Financial Services Industry) gave her a commendation award as “the most productive staff of the year.’

Kemi Trailblazing In Beauty And Style, Grooming Skillful Professionals 

Kemi Lewis, the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KL’s Natural Hair and Beauty Bar, is an ingenious and creative manager. 

Recognising the dearth of professionals and salons exclusively dedicated to cater for the needs of naturalistas and to accentuate the inspiring hair styles of the Nigerian, and by extension the African, woman in the style and beauty sector of the economy, Kemi brought her over two decades expertise that spans across corporate governance, legal advisory and entrepreneurship to bare. Her pioneering effort revolutionised the style, beauty and salon business by upping the ante.

Birthed on August 9, 2013, as a small salon with two employees, KL’s Natural Hair and Beauty Bar has through astute leadership evolved into a network of three thriving salons with over 50 skilled staff and over 2000 clientele in major high-class areas in Lagos. 

Apart from catering for ladies who embrace their natural hair, providing specialised advice and other needs for ‘naturalistas and fashionistas,’ the outfit is partnering industry influencers, product suppliers and educational institutions to run a Natural Hair Training Academy and also develop a bespoke line of natural hair products.  

With this, KL’s Natural Hair and Beauty Bar can be described as a beauty hub, where every delicate strand of hair on an African woman’s head is skillfully handled to bring out her beauty and style.

 

Highlighting the focus of the beauty house, Kemi said: “Research has shown and proven the damaging effect chemical relaxers have on women’s health and it is important for us to help women ditch relaxers, while building their confidence in their natural hair and also changing negative natural hair narratives and stereotypes. 

“We have done this directly through the services we offer our clients and indirectly through the trainings we offer our students, who will go on to start their own natural hair salons, so, the tentacles of our message can reach more women across Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world.”

One of the ways to make women, including men, to embrace the use of natural products for their hairs and bodies is through the training and re–training of salon hands, and in this area, KL’s Natural Hair and Beauty Bar is not resting on its oars, as the beauty house training arm has trained over 600 women and still counting. 

“This is one of our contributions to human capital development, which directly impacts the Nigerian economy because these trained individuals will go on to either work as professionals for other salons or start their own salons and continue to contribute to the economic growth of the country,” Kemi said, adding, “we work with other small and medium businesses who supply us a huge percentage of our working materials and products and their businesses have also grown over the years. So, the effect on the economy is a positive one, especially as it is constantly growing.“ 

On how her organisation develops the natural products, the beauty house arrowhead disclosed that over the years her outfit has partnered with individuals, organisations and foundations to educate and empower young girls and women on how to care for and take pride in their natural hair –— whether for personal gain or business growth. She also revealed that her organisation has been donating to different causes including the establishment of health centres to treat specific ailments.

 

Known for her distinct fusion of research, corporate governance and administrative prowess, Kemi disclosed that the main things that have helped her outfit to grow so fast are because of their solid structure, being flexible, and having great customer service. 

“Our structure enables us to use data to see areas where we can increase capacity and revenue, and also areas where we can and should cut back. Being flexible helps us to pivot where necessary and great customer service ensures we have loyal customers who understand pricing and the changes we make, and who not only keep returning to us, but keep referring new clients too,” she noted. 

Commenting on the challenges in the sector, the award-winning manager observed that the challenges are common and affect all businesses in the country.

Spotlighting some of them to include ever increasing direct and indirect cost of products due to electricity challenges, weak currency and a general increase in cost of living, she noted that all these contribute to the increase of overhead and cost goods and services.

Noting that some challenges are peculiar and stem from lack of adequately trained professionals, Kemi enjoined government to partner with vocational schools, including KL’s Natural Academy, that offer hairdressing courses to run different programmes, offer scholarships and formalise the sector, adding that the beauty industry is huge and can further be developed to have more skilled professionals to boost revenue for the sector and the country, apart from developing quality beauty products locally with our local materials. She also disclosed that if properly developed the sector can boost employment and stimulate the economy for growth. 

For her innovations and drive for the narrative that has continued to shape the industry, advocating for authenticity, empowerment, and transformative beauty practices, ELOY Awards recognised Kemi as the ‘Hairstylist of the Year,’ while Leading Ladies Africa named her one of the ‘100 Most Inspiring Women in Africa.   

Queen Halimat Tejuosho Continues Her Quest For Social Inclusion Of Persons With Disabilities In Nigeria

Queen Halimat Adenike Tejuosho elaborated her mandates and plans in ensuring social inclusions of persons with disabilities. She commended the President Tinubu for his great concern to improve the lives of people with disabilities while imploring the government of Nigeria, both at the state and federal level to take drastic steps to address the needs of persons with disabilities. 

She added that, persons with disabilities in Nigeria continue to face stigma, discrimination, and barriers to accessing basic economic opportunities and social services. Data from the 2022 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey stats reveal that over 29 million Nigerians live with Disabilities. 

“Nigeria’s goal of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2029, in addition to achieving inclusive economic growth, will be challenging without the inclusion of persons with disabilities”, she said. 

Queen Halimat Adenike Tejuosho has also assured the President of her unwavering commitment to support his administration in alleviating poverty and ensuring social inclusions of vulnerables. 

Few days ago news circulated on the social media disclosed that one Aliyu Auta, a 72-year-old man with a wife and seven children, who has been blind for over 30 years lost his three bedroom bungalow in Gwagwalada, as a result of heavy rainfall and flood which pulled down his house. 

Princes Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, was touched by the story and she visited the man despite her tight schedule. She showcased her humanitarian gesture to the distressed family by promising to use her Foundation, Queen Adenike Tejuosho Foundation, to build the house at a cost of N3.7m for the man on behalf of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Remi Tinubu, as part of her belief in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. 

In addition, she has also promised to pay one year rent for the family before the new house will be completed.