Winifred Akpani

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Winifred Akpani
NationalityNigerian
Alma materUniversity of Benin
University of Lagos
Occupation(s)Businesswoman, Entrepreneur
Known forFounder and CEO of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited

Chairperson, Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) [1][2]
Spouse(s)Walter Akpani (MD/CEO, Providus Bank Limited)

Dame Winifred Akpani OFR is a Nigerian businesswoman and entrepreneur known for her contributions to the oil and gas industry. She is a Chartered Accountant, and the Founder, and Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited,[3] an indigenous petroleum products marketing company based in Nigeria.[4][5]

Early life and education

Dame Akpani obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Benin, Benin City. She then proceeded to obtain a Post Graduate diploma in Computer Science from the University of Lagos.[6][7]

She is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and the Institute of Directors. She has pursued continuous education, participating in various courses across finance, oil and gas, corporate governance, and banking.[8]

Career

Dame Akpani started her career as a trainee accountant at Oni Lasebikan and Co. (now Ernst & Young) in 1987. She later moved to Arthur Anderson & Co. (now KPMG Professional Services), where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990. She attained the position of audit senior before departing in 1992.[9][10]

In 1992, she joined Flame Petroleum & Gas Company Limited as a Financial Controller. She eventually became an Executive Director in 1997.[7][11]In 1998, Dame Akpani founded Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited. With startup capital of N200,000 (two hundred thousand Naira), the company initially focused on diesel distribution in 200-liter drums to various entities, including homes, guest houses, banks, and corporations.[12] Over time, Northwest Petroleum expanded its operations, engaging in international oil trading and service transactions worth millions of dollars.[13] The company also secured investments in the midstream and upstream sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.[14]

Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited owns over a 100 million-liter storage capacity in Calabar, contributing to the nation's energy distribution infrastructure.[15][16]

Contributions and affiliations

In 2019, she was elected as the new Chairman of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).[17][18]

Recognition and awards

  • In 2009, she was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal by Pope Benedict XVI for distinguished service to the Catholic Church and humanity.[1]
  • In 2016, she was conferred with the Positive Impact Award by the Cross River State Government in collaboration with Profiles & Biographies, a biographical and supplemental information management company [19][20]
  • In 2018, The Guardian newspaper included her in their list of "Leading Ladies Africa: 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria" for her contributions and achievements in business and enterprise.[21]
  • In 2019, she was also honoured with the Provincial Silver Jubilee Award by His Grace, Most Reverend Joseph Ekuwem, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Calabar in recognition of her outstanding contributions and dedication towards the growth of the Catholic Faith in the Archdiocese and Province of Calabar, Cross River State.
  • In 2021, Dame Akpani was honoured with another PAPAL Award of Knight of St. Sylvester, the Pope (KSS) by His Holiness, Pope Francis in recognition of her continued selfless service to God and humanity in the evangelization of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Her consistent dedication to the Church and her good works to humanity are being continuously rewarded.
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) honored Dame Akpani at the 2022 ICAN Annual Dinner and Awards at the Oriental Hotels Victoria Island.
  • In 2023, Dame Akpani was conferred with the prestigious Special National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).[22] This distinguished recognition was bestowed upon her in acknowledgment of her significant contributions to the advancement of the private sector and socioeconomic development in Nigeria. Her endeavours in entrepreneurship, facilitation of equal employment opportunities, and dedication to corporate social responsibility initiatives have been cited as instrumental in driving positive change and uplifting communities across the nation.

Personal life

Winifred Akpani is married to Walter Akpani, who is the Managing Director and CEO of Providus Bank Limited.

References

  1. ^ "DAPPMAN". dappman.org.ng.
  2. ^ "Petroleum marketers, DAPPMAN oppose FG's 0.5% tax structure - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com.
  3. ^ "Home - Northwest Petroleum".
  4. ^ Okwumbu-Imafidon, Ruth (July 22, 2023). "From N200k startup to multimillion-dollar empire: The inspiring journey of Winifred Akpani and Northwest Petroleum & Gas".
  5. ^ "Winifred Akpani Biography, State of Origin, Career, Education, Net Worth MP3 DOWNLOAD Lyrics Songs". Niggaloaded. July 24, 2023.
  6. ^ Ajumobi, Kemi (May 8, 2020). "Women in Business: Winifred Akpani". Businessday NG.
  7. ^ a b "Meet Winifred Akpani, The Nigerian Female Billionaire who started as a trainee accountant". Trek Africa. May 2, 2019.
  8. ^ ICAN Remains Key Player In Finance, Accounting Space in Nigeria – Comfort Eyitayo, 57th President of ICAN
  9. ^ "DAME WINNIE AKPANI: When Ibusa Think-Tank celebrated a corporate Titan - Vanguard News".
  10. ^ People, City (April 2, 2019). "How Dame WINIFRED AKPANI Runs Northwest Petroleum".
  11. ^ Asifa, Inimfon (April 14, 2023). "Meet 10 Nigerian women changing the narratives in the Oil and Gas industry".
  12. ^ "With deregulation, oil consumers will have options – CEO Northwest Petroleum - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com.
  13. ^ "Meet The Woman Behind NORTHWEST Petrol Station". March 29, 2018.
  14. ^ People, City (July 22, 2020). "Meet Power Couple Who Play BIG In Corporate Nigeria".
  15. ^ "BEHOLD DAME WINIFRED AKPANI, THE OIL MOGUL AND CEO OF NORTHWEST PETROLEUM". Tectono Business Review.
  16. ^ Agada, Lois (July 24, 2023). "5 Top Oil and Gas Barons in Nigeria You Don't Know".
  17. ^ Winifred Akpani Elected as New DAPPMAN Chairman, Brand Icon Image
  18. ^ Anaja, Hauwa Abubakar (June 7, 2023). "Subsidy: Petroleum Marketers to Donate Buses For Mass Transportation".
  19. ^ "Winifred Akpani Awarded Cross River Positive Impact Award 2016". October 2, 2016.
  20. ^ "CEO NORTHWEST PETROLEUM & GAS COMPANY, MRS. WINIFRED AKPANI BAGS C/RIVER POSITIVE IMPACT AWARD – Calabar Blog". October 10, 2016.
  21. ^ Leading Ladies Africa – 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria 2018, The Guardian
  22. ^ "[FULL LIST] Emeka Anyaoku, Ten Supreme Court Justices Among 2023 National Honours Recipients". May 28, 2023.
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