Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is an expert on African agriculture and nutrition, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and youth development, boasting over 25 years of experience in international development. She began her professional journey as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company. In 2000, she returned to Nigeria, where she served as the pioneering executive director of the FATE Foundation, supporting young entrepreneurs in starting and upscaling their businesses. Building on this foundation, Ndidi founded LEAP Africa in 2002, dedicated to nurturing ethical leaders across Africa, while also establishing NIA to empower female students in Nigeria.
As the co-founder and executive chair of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition, Ndidi has been instrumental in shaping policies and implementing innovative solutions to address agricultural challenges across Africa. Additionally, her co-founding of AACE Foods has contributed to the production of high-quality packaged spices, seasonings, snacks, and cereal for both local and international markets.
Ndidi’s impactful contributions have garnered widespread recognition, including being named a Young Global Leader and a Schwab Social Innovator by the World Economic Forum. She has received national honours from the Nigerian Government and has been celebrated as one of the 20 Power African Women by Forbes, as well as one of the Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine. In 2021, she was honoured with the prestigious Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Awards, underscoring her significant contributions to business and society.
Abimbola Onakomaiya is an insurance professional whose career spans over four decades. Her journey commenced as an associate at Hill Samuel Life Investment Services in Wales, United Kingdom in 1983, before she made her mark in Nigeria by joining NICON Insurance, the country’s foremost insurance company in 1987. During her tenure, she achieved the remarkable feat of becoming NICON Insurance’s first female Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute London (FCII).
Stepping into the consulting realm, Abimbola further expanded her horizons, serving as the assistant general manager (Operations) and later as AGM (Oil and Energy) at a publicly quoted insurance company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
In 2003, Abimbola embarked on a new chapter as the pioneering managing director/CEO of Peakthrust Insurance Brokers Limited, where she continues to steer the company to unprecedented heights of success. Under her leadership, Peakthrust has evolved into a formidable force in the insurance broking and financial services landscape, with a nationwide presence and a reputation of excellence.
Halima Ibrahim Abba is a seasoned development and finance expert with over 13 years of experience. She is the chair and founder of Skills Outside School Foundation, a prominent pan-African organisation, driving education, employability, and entrepreneurship initiatives leveraging data advocacy and strategic intervention with partners and beneficiaries across Nigeria and beyond. In her capacity as an Associate Vice President at the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Halima contributes to the advancement of infrastructure and industrialisation projects.
Halima’s philanthropic spirit extends beyond organisational leadership. She dedicates her time and resources to mentorship programmes, including Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Africa, Tony Elumelu Foundation, and Women in Africa. Halima’s illustrious career encompasses roles in esteemed institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Nomura, JP Morgan, and the Bureau of Public Enterprises. As the executive director and consultant chief financial and operating officer at Tongston Entrepreneurship, Halima oversees organisational strategy and operational excellence. Additionally, she serves as the managing director of PIF Africa, where she spearheads initiatives focused on enhancing people, processes, infrastructure, and finance across diverse sectors.
Tosin Adefeko is a corporate executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of multi-sectoral experience in Nigeria. As the Founder and CEO of AT3 Resources Limited, she leads a team of experts dedicated to enhancing the productivity and reputation of esteemed clients, ranging from global corporations like META (Facebook) to local conglomerates like NIBSS.
Tosin’s journey is marked by versatility and expertise across various sectors, including finance, media, and marketing communications industries. Prior to founding AT3 Resources, she traversed through roles in banking, the oil industry, journalism, and public relations. Recognised for her prowess in brand building and strategic communication, Tosin has collaborated with industry giants like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and British Airways, among others. Her dedication to excellence has been recognised through prestigious awards such as being named one of the Top 50 Women in Marketing Communication by Brand Communicator Magazine and receiving the title of Outstanding PR Personality of the Year from Marketing Edge.
Tosin Adefeko’s impact extends beyond corporate boardrooms, as she is an advocate for gender equality and youth empowerment, actively mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and championing initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and diversity in the business landscape.
Emem Usoro, a seasoned banker with over 20 years of experience, assumed the position of deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on October 5, 2023. Significant achievements and milestones have marked Emem Usoro’s journey in the banking sector.
Starting her career at Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank) in 2004, she rose through the ranks from branch manager to regional executive. In 2010, she moved to the United Bank of Africa, where she held the role of Regional Head and Directorate Head respectively. Then, in 2022, Emem advanced to the position of executive director at UBA.
As previously mentioned, Usoro currently holds the position of deputy governor at the Central Bank of Nigeria. She possesses robust expertise in areas such as fostering business growth, providing financial and business advice, and effectively implementing strategic plans.
