NNPC Limited women have headlined the 2026 edition of the Ascent Top 100 Career Women in Africa Awards, as the Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, and two other women from the Company were celebrated in Lagos, yesterday, alongside other exceptional female leaders from across the continent.
In an event themed “Power, Presence, and Prestige,” Mbakwe was honoured as one of Africa’s top career women. Also recognised were the Head, Business Services, Nkechi Anaedobe and Lead, Community Relations, Uzo Ejidoh, both of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS).
Mbakwe, who had the honour of delivering a keynote address at the occasion, shared her inspiring journey from a lawyer at a switchboard to a senior executive at NNPC Ltd. In distinguishing between power, presence, and prestige, she noted that “power is the ability to influence outcomes and shape decisions; presence is showing up irrespective of the situation, while prestige is respect earned through consistent excellence, integrity, and results.” She also spoke on personal losses and resilience, urging women to move beyond self-doubt. “The men will fall and keep moving. Women overthink. Try, fall, get back up,” she stressed.
Mbakwe also announced the recent launch of the Women in NNPC (WIN) Initiative, designed to advance women through mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership readiness. “Sponsors speak for you in rooms you haven’t entered. Be a sponsor. From the wellhead to the boardroom, we are not just in the room; we build the room. Africa is waiting for your light,” she urged the audience.
Every year, the Ascent Top 100 Career Women in Africa honours bold, pioneering African career women who are shaping industries, redefining leadership, and lifting others as they rise.