Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Women from NNPC Limited took centre stage at the 2026 Ascent Top 100 Career Women in Africa Awards held in Lagos, where top female professionals across the continent were honoured for their impact and leadership.
At the event themed “Power, Presence, and Prestige,” the Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, was recognised among Africa’s leading career women. Also honoured were Nkechi Anaedobe, Head of Business Services, and Uzo Ejidoh, Lead, Community Relations, both of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS).
Delivering a keynote address, Mbakwe shared her career journey, highlighting resilience, growth, and leadership. She defined power as the ability to influence decisions, presence as showing up consistently, and prestige as respect earned through integrity and results.
She also encouraged women to overcome self-doubt and embrace opportunities, urging them to remain resilient in the face of challenges.
Mbakwe further announced the launch of the Women in NNPC (WIN) Initiative, a platform designed to support female professionals through mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development.
The annual awards celebrate outstanding African women who are shaping industries, redefining leadership, and driving impact across sectors.
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