Across Africa, women have long been foundational builders of home and society, shaping generations’ perceptions of environment and community. Historically overlooked, they are now central to the continent’s advance in technology, finance, education, and commerce. As organisations pursue sustainable value creation, women leaders ensure future generations have equitable access to resources, driving nation-building and enduring business sustainability for Africa’s next era.
Already, Nigeria’s economic trajectory in 2025 is beginning to show resilience and adaptation, with first-quarter GDP growth at 3.13%, the highest in recent years. This momentum stems from sustainable business practices, ESG leadership, and a strategic push toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, marking a shift from traditional growth sectors.
Bulk of these growths are championed by women leading across banking, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and FMCG. Their leadership in ESG, innovative CSR programs, and circular economy initiatives is accelerating growth, with projections of a 3% GDP uplift and over a million new jobs to be created.
Sustainable Stories Advocates debuts its sustainability heroes series by spotlighting fifteen women reshaping Nigeria’s corporate landscape through ESG, SDG, and responsible business practices. These visionary leaders set new standards in governance and impact, providing blueprints for companies and policymakers alike. Their achievements demonstrate that sustainable value drives both boardroom innovation and multi-billion-naira economic growth in Africa’s leading economy.
Tomi Adepoju
With a robust foundation from the IE Business School in Spain and a Fellowship at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Tomi Adepoju is a pillar of Nigeria’s sustainability and governance landscape. As Partner & Head, Enterprise Risk Services at KPMG Nigeria, she leads ESG advisory and oversees the Board Governance Centre, driving excellence across the country’s top companies.
Her journey spans 25 years, pioneering transformations in internal audit, enterprise risk, and regulatory compliance across sectors. Adepoju’s leadership has been instrumental in redesigning Nigeria’s Corporate Governance Code (2018) and providing secretariat support to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Through KPMG accreditation for risk management and GRI sustainability reporting, she continually raises board performance, trains directors, and embeds ESG policies within clients’ cultures. Her retreats, workshops, and committee service have shaped the governance ethos of Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors. Tomi’s commitment to fostering sustainable business practices, governance frameworks, and the SDGs distinguishes her as a powerful change agent.
Bunmi Adeniba
Bunmi Adeniba’s career is characterised by a mastery of brand building and commercial innovation, underpinned by hands-on leadership in quality, category development, and team building.
An alumna of leading business schools, Bunmi shines in marketing strategy, bridging vision and execution as a seasoned division lead. Her trajectory through Nigeria’s dynamic consumer goods sector sees her driving sustainability from within, ensuring responsible product development, innovation management, and quality assurance are at the fore. She is celebrated for cultivating high-performance teams and coaching future leaders, embedding ESG values across all touchpoints. Her efforts have garnered national recognition and media accolades for leading sustainable strategies in the FMCG space.
Bunmi’s influence extends beyond boardrooms, amplifying corporate social responsibility and SDG engagement directly into operational culture and product impact, reflecting the vibrancy of Nigeria’s sustainable business movement.
Ijeoma Nwagwu
A scholar with teaching stints at Princeton University and Lagos Business School, Ijeoma Nwagwu leverages academia to reshape sustainability research and practice.
Her strategic vision has positioned Princeton as a living laboratory for environmental stewardship while empowering students to design actionable solutions. Ijeoma’s depth is notable in her analytical approach to embedding social impact and sustainability within university curriculum and partnerships.
Her global expertise in research and engagement ensures students and practitioners alike are equipped to address tomorrow’s challenges. Locally, she has elevated education standards, integrating ESG literacy and SDGs into instruction and community initiatives.
Her commitment to fostering social innovation in higher education reflects a deep-seated belief in nurturing future sustainability champions and advancing knowledge-based SDG progress.
Hadiza Adukonu
As Vice President, Corporate Development at West Titan Energy, Hadiza Adukonu channels extensive expertise in energy, corporate strategy, and sustainability into propelling Nigeria’s transition toward cleaner, more responsible practices.
Her educational background in engineering and business management frames a career built on innovation and strategic development. Hadiza leads multifaceted ESG projects, orchestrating green initiatives and industrial advancements in alignment with the nation’s energy goals. She is renowned for steering cross-functional teams through transformative changes, embedding sustainability in organisational DNA.
Awards and media recognition for leadership in the energy sector innovation underscore her status as a thought leader for sustainable development and inclusive energy solutions in Africa. Hadiza’s active role in ESG implementation and tireless advocacy for sustainable resource management anchor her contribution to national SDG progress.
Cecilia Akintomide
Armed with an illustrious resume, University of Pennsylvania Law and Trium Graduate, Cognity Advisory founder, and senior roles at AfDB, Cecilia Akintomide is a luminary in African sustainable finance and corporate governance.
Her career spans legal advisory, board directorship, and advocacy for transparency and best practices across public and private organisations. Cecilia’s stewardship has seen her develop frameworks essential for ethics-driven ESG programs and financial inclusion. A consistent voice at African CEO forums and sustainability events, she drives knowledge sharing and mentorship for women and youth in governance.
Her work in shaping responsible investments and policy formation supports SDG objectives, notably gender equality and institutional integrity. Cecilia’s leadership and pivotal influence garner respect throughout Africa’s corridors of power and business.
Lovelyn Okoye
Engineer and Director of Sustainability at Seven-Up Bottling, Lovelyn Okoye has built an exemplary career over 12 years championing eco-friendly practices and systems optimisation.
Her educational background in engineering and professional experience position her to drive climate resilience, circular economy initiatives, and renewable energy adoption in the beverage industry. She is an active influencer in sustainability advocacy, leading community outreach, policy engagement, and award-winning strategies that minimise environmental footprints.
Lovelyn’s motivational thought leadership inspires business leaders and citizens alike to embrace greener lifestyles. Recognised for steering Seven-Up Bottling’s award-winning sustainability efforts, she represents the new wave of change agents directly advancing SDGs around climate action, responsible consumption, and community empowerment.
OrevaOghene Irene (Agajere) Atanya
Oreva Atanya, MSc Management (Bradford), Certified Project Manager, and Director of Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre, orchestrates impact projects and pioneering research toward sustainable development in Nigeria.
Her leadership spans curriculum design for circular economy, sustainable finance, and nonprofit management, consulting for Coke, Tolaram, Ford Foundation, and more. Oreva advises top corporates, NGOs, and startups, embedding ESG principles and driving youth development, environmental regeneration, and sector-wide social innovation.
As author of the multi-volume ‘Management and Leadership for a Sustainable Africa,’ her scholarship and strategy nurture a cross-sector movement toward SDGs. Board appointments and advisory roles with climate and conservation initiatives underscore her holistic approach to Africa’s sustainable transformation, making Oreva a pivotal figure in knowledge creation and impact implementation.
Nana Skari Maidugu
Honoured as Personality of the Year at the 2025 Sustainable Investment Awards, Nana Skari Maidugu leads strategic sustainability at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
Her background spans policy, investment strategy, and execution of national initiatives like the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan and the Industrial Revolution Plan. Nana has entrenched ESG practices at NSIA, embedding sustainability across portfolio management and partnerships while shaping countrywide frameworks for climate action, gender equity, and inclusive growth.
She chairs key committees driving presidential and global sustainability agendas, earning NSIA the title Sovereign Wealth Fund of the Year. Her vision and policy impact represent the gold standard in integrating sustainable development at the heart of national strategy, progressing Nigeria’s SDG commitments.
Soromidayo George
Oluwasoromidayo George is widely recognized as a leading voice in sustainable business, with a distinguished career spanning more than twenty years and taking in banking, fast-moving consumer goods, and nonprofit sectors. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Social Impact) from Walden University, a Master’s in Sociology from the University of Lagos, and a Master’s in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Her academic pursuits are complemented by executive studies at Harvard Business School and IE University Madrid. George is deeply engaged with governance and inclusion through board roles with AIESEC Nigeria, the Commonwealth Women Business Network, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, and the WIMBOARD Institute.
George’s tenure as Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Business for Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, and previously Unilever Ghana and Nigeria, is marked by transformative leadership in brand repositioning, stakeholder relations, and advocacy for responsible business practices. She has forged innovative ESG campaigns and championed enduring sustainability frameworks across industries. Notably, she broke ground as the first female Executive Director of the BATN Foundation, where she helped pioneer impactful CSR models and led award-winning communications and environmental programs. Her philanthropic legacy extends to founding the Corporate Social Responsibility and Governance Institute and the Heart of Ruth Foundation, which provides rehabilitation and economic support for women and children in vulnerable situations.
Across her career, George has garnered significant recognition for her contributions, including prestigious awards for CSR excellence and pivotal roles as Chairperson of the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, CEO Water Mandate Council, and the MAN Export Group. She is celebrated for advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, setting industry standards, and promoting social equity through strategic communications and governance. Her achievements underscore a commitment to building inclusive, transparent, and resilient communities, positioning her as a catalyst for measurable change in Nigeria’s sustainability landscape.
Pearl Uzokwe
With over two decades of board-level influence from Africa to Europe, Pearl Uzokwe blends international development expertise with corporate strategy, social impact, and sustainability leadership.
As Director of Africa Forward at CatalystNow and former Director at Sahara Foundation, Pearl shaped organisational policy, stakeholder engagement, and ESG strategy for some of Africa’s largest conglomerates. Her work spans over eighteen countries, spanning program design, partnership-building, and innovation-driven social change.
Board memberships at Malala Fund and the Private Sector Advisory Board reinforce Pearl’s commitment to advancing education, gender inclusion, and responsible business. Her advocacy and operational stewardship stand as exemplary models in driving SDG principles across complex, international landscapes.
Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien
Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien is globally recognised for standards-setting in sustainability, with an MSc from LSE, an MBA from Wharton, and a PhD from Goethe University, Frankfurt.
As Africa’s voice on the IFRS International Sustainability Standards Board, she helps shape disclosures on climate and social governance worldwide. Ndidi’s pioneering work spans decades, founding Growing Businesses Foundation and integrating sustainability across Dangote Group’s operations in 14 countries.
Her Seven Pillars methodology aligns enterprise with championing sustainability, impacting multinationals and grassroots communities alike. Ndidi lectures at Lagos Business School, co-founds angel networks, and drives blockchain solutions for real-world challenges. Honours and think tank memberships attest to her relentless advocacy for social entrepreneurship, women’s leadership, and global SDGs.
Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan
Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan is an acclaimed sustainability leader recognised by media outlets like CNBC Africa for her efforts in financing development and banking ESG initiatives.
She holds leadership roles in various pan-African sustainability coalitions and has contributed significantly to best practices within financial services and green industry platforms. Omobolanle’s advocacy centres on integrating ESG, facilitating knowledge transfer, and shaping strategic investments that catalyse inclusive growth.
Her partnership-building extends to corporations and environmental NGOs, driving projects that blend financial performance with social impact. As an innovator in the circular economy and sustainable banking, she is instrumental in influencing SDG implementation at both institutional and national levels.
Amaka Onyemelukwe
Amaka Onyemelukwe’s 18-year career weaves a rich tapestry of public affairs, communications, and sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company, Philip Morris International, and Novartis.
With formal education in public policy and business management, Amaka specialises in regulatory strategy, pioneering Nigeria’s excise tax predictability and launching the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance. Her policy-shaping acumen has enabled operational efficiencies, secured social licenses, and empowered talent across organisations.
Chinwe Bode-Akinwande
Harvard-trained strategist and recipient of WIMCA’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Marketing, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande exemplifies holistic leadership in ESG, digital innovation, and brand management.
Across global assignments, from FirstBank’s brand refresh to UNICEF fundraising, Chinwe has pioneered marketing partnerships, sponsorships, and advocacy programs with high impact. Her humanitarian work, notably the CBA Foundation and her ‘Hope for the Widow’ podcast, bridges corporate success with social responsibility, advancing SDGs for gender equity and poverty alleviation.
Titilope Oguntuga
Titilope Oguntuga stands out as a sustainability executive whose career spans sustainable development, corporate governance, stakeholder relations, and strategic partnerships across Africa and the Middle East. Holding an MBA in Marketing from Obafemi Awolowo University, she is also an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and a Chartered Postgraduate Diploma holder from the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK, with executive studies completed at Harvard Business School.
Currently, Oguntuga is Director of Sustainability at IHS Towers, spearheading corporate strategy in climate action, community empowerment, education, and governance. Her tenure as Head of Sustainability & Corporate Branding at Lafarge Africa drove landmark projects, including Lafarge’s first CSR Memorandum of Understanding, 100% CSR implementation, and a circular economy initiative that increased waste processing and generated thousands of jobs. She has received accolades such as Environmental Sustainability Professional of the Year (ECOSEA 2022) and awards for sustainability reporting. Oguntuga’s legacy is rooted in measurable, people-focused strategies that galvanise organisations to view sustainability as central to growth and inclusion.
Note: The individuals featured in this compilation have been carefully selected by the Editorial Board at Sustainable Stories Advocates (SSA). It is important to note that none of the individuals listed have solicited their inclusion.
While this list aims to be comprehensive, it is by no means exhaustive; numerous other contributors have played and continue to play significant roles in advancing ESG, SDGs and Sustainable Business Practices across various sectors of the Economy. This compilation is exclusive to SSA and could be updated periodically to reflect changes through inclusions of new persons and advancements in the ESG space. We will appreciate your feedback towards helping us improve on our storytelling from an African Perspective.
Also, kindly note that this compilation is in no specific order of ranking in any way, form, and/or format.
