2023 Definitive List

Vera Songwe

Vera Songwe

Vera Songwe, Senior Fellow, Africa Growth Initiative, Brookings Institution

Dr. (Mrs.) Owen D. Omogiafo is the President and Group CEO of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp), Nigeria’s leading listed diversified conglomerate with investments in power, hospitality, and energy. She is the first female to hold this position. Before her appointment, she served as MD/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc where she was responsible for driving positive transformation both in Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Transcorp Hotels Calabar. Owen is a multi-award-winning professional with over two decades of experience in organizational development, human capital management, financial services, change management, hospitality, energy, and strategy. She has held various high-profile roles throughout her career, including Chief Operating Officer at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, where she oversaw the $100 million Entrepreneurship Program aimed at identifying, mentoring, and funding 10,000 entrepreneurs over 10 years. She has also worked as Director of Resources at Heirs Holdings Limited, a family-owned investment company chaired by Tony O. Elumelu CFR. Her experience equally includes working as HR Advisor to the GMD/CEO at United Bank for Africa Plc, and as an Organization and Human Performance Consultant at Accenture, specializing in change management. She holds a B.Sc. (Double Honours) in Sociology & Anthropology from the University of Benin, an M.Sc. in Human Resource Management from the London School of Economics & Political Science, and a Doctorate Degree in Engineering from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun. She is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School and IESE Business School in Spain. Owen is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, UK, a certified Change Manager with the Prosci Institute, USA, a member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel Management, Nigeria, a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria, and a member of the boards of Afriland Properties Ltd, Transcorp Power Ltd, and TransAfam Power Ltd. She sits on the Advisory Board of Heirs Academy. In recognition of her many contributions to the economic and social development of Nigeria, Owen has won numerous awards. To mention a few, in 2018 she was named in the YNaija! Power List for Corporate Nigeria, in 2019 she was recognized by The Guardian Newspapers as one of Nigeria’s 100 most inspirational women. In 2020, Owen was listed among the 100 Most Influential African Women by the Avance Media Group. She was also recognized as one of 2020’s Top CEOs and received a “Next Bulls” award from Business Day Media and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. This award category recognized CEOs of listed companies who through sound strategy, disciplined execution, world-class governance, and a customer-first ethos have delivered competitive shareholder value on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. In 2021, Owen was recognized as a Top 30 SAWIL Trailblazer for her pioneering work in Transformation, promoting diversity, and Shaping Africa’s future. She was also honored with the Woman of Impact award by VIP Magazine, for her contributions to Nigeria and humanity. In 2022, she was recognized by Avance Media as one of Africa’s 100 Most influential women for the third consecutive year, Leading Ladies Africa as one of the 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria, and by Herconomy as Corporate Leader of the Year. In March 2022, Owen was recognized by H.E. Governor Babajide Sanwa-Olu, Governor of Lagos state as one of the Eko 100 Women in 2022. She was also recognised by Africa.com on its 2022 Definitive List of Women CEOs across the 24 Stock Exchanged in Africa. This list identifies women who are leading companies with revenue of $100m or more, or a market capitalisation of $150m or more. She recently received the 2022 President of the Year Award from the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards, highlighting her significant contributions and impact. Owen is happily married with children.

Owen Omogiafo

Owen Omogiafo, President and Group CEO, Transcorp Nigeria

Lindeka Dzedze

Lindeka (Leeds) Dzedze

Lindeka (Leeds) Dzedze, Head of Strategic Partnerships within Global Markets, Standard Bank Group

Teresa Clarke

Moderator; Chair and Executive Editor,
Africa.com LLC