By Ayomide Otitoju
Women of the NNPC Limited have taken centre stage at the 2026 Ascent Top 100 Career Women in Africa Awards, with the company’s Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, and two other officials receiving recognition at a ceremony held in Lagos.
Mbakwe was honoured among Africa’s leading career women at the event, themed “Power, Presence, and Prestige.” Also recognised were Nkechi Anaedobe, Head of Business Services, and Uzo Ejidoh, Lead, Community Relations, both of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS).
Delivering the keynote address, Mbakwe recounted her career progression from an entry-level legal role to a senior executive position within NNPC Ltd, highlighting the importance of resilience and self-belief. She defined power as the ability to influence decisions, presence as consistently showing up, and prestige as respect earned through integrity and results.
She urged women to overcome self-doubt and embrace perseverance, noting that setbacks should not deter progress. Mbakwe also used the platform to announce the launch of the Women in NNPC (WIN) Initiative, aimed at advancing female professionals through mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development.
According to her, the initiative will help position women for greater opportunities, stressing the importance of advocacy and support within professional spaces.
The Ascent Top 100 Career Women in Africa Awards is an annual event that recognises outstanding African women making significant contributions across industries and promoting inclusive leadership on the continent.
