A Vice President at the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) Corporate Services, Engr Felicia Agubata, Ph.D has been recognized among the top women shaping corporate institutions across the African continent, Isqil Najim reports.
Agubata joins a distinguished group of female leaders, recognized for their exceptional contributions and impact in shaping the corporate landscape across the African continent from various sectors and countries, spanning finance, energy, technology, governance, and more.
The Award, which celebrates the achievements of these inspiring women, highlights the growing prominence and leadership of women in driving progress and innovation across Africa’s corporate institutions.
Delivering a keynote address at the event, Ms. Oyeyimika Adeboye, Cluster Director of Mondelez International West Africa and Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Cadbury Ghana Limited, emphasized the positive correlation between companies with strong female leadership and overall company performance. “As a woman, never give up on yourself,” Adeboye counselled, encouraging women to leverage available support systems. She called upon other corporate organizations to follow Cadbury’s example in providing more opportunities for women in leadership roles.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwakemi Oyekan Olumuyiwa, Executive Director of Relationship and Stakeholders Management at the NNPC, sharing her personal journey, highlighted the critical need for better career guidance for aspiring young women. “We need to get more women into the boardroom,” she said, advising women to proactively acquire new skills and position themselves to capitalize on opportunities when they arise.
Earlier in her address, Dr. Glory Edozien, Founder of the Ascent Club and a global visibility and thought leadership expert, set the stage for an inspiring event. She articulated the core motivation behind the awards, stating that the initiative aims to celebrate the accomplishments of women while also motivating the next generation of female leaders by showcasing the pathways to success.
Thinkers360, a globally respected platform, ranks top executives, industry experts, and influencers based on their insights, influence, and contributions beyond social media. This year’s honorees were unveiled at a gala event on Sunday, March 30th, 2025, at Alliance Française in Lagos.
Agubata is the Deputy General Manager, Terrestrial Services at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and currently a Vice President, Corporate Services of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).
This recognition highlights Dr. Agubata’s influence and leadership both within aviation sector and the engineering community. Her inclusion in the list of honorees alongside 35 other accomplished Nigerian women is a testament to her handwork and tireless contributions in engineering and the community.
Nigeria boasts the largest representation in this year’s list with an impressive 36 women recognized for their outstanding work. The honorees represent a diverse range of expertise from various regions across Africa, including Northern Africa (12), Western Africa (46), Eastern Africa (22), and Southern Africa (20).
Other notable Nigerian honorees include: Olu Arowolo Verheijen – Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Energy; Abimbola Agbejule – Head, Corporate Sustainability, Wema Bank PLC; Amina Onifade – Chief Operating Officer, Genesis Energy Group; Chinny Okoye – Special Adviser, Strategic Partnerships, Minister of Women Affairs; Chioma Nwokedi Momah – Head, Policy and Public Affairs, Guinness Nigeria PLC; Mojisola Iyamabo – Associate Vice President, Gas Business, Heirs E; Wunmi Ehis-Uzenabor – Chief Financial Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank Nigeria; Wola Joseph-Condotti – Group MD/CEO, West Power and Gas Limited to mention but few.
The recognition of these accomplished women underscores the increasing roles women play in driving economic growth, promoting sustainability, and fostering innovation within their respective organizations and across the continent.
Engr. Felicia Nnenna Agubata holds a Ph.D. in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Enugu State University of Science and Technology. She is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and registered with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Dr. Agubata, a committed professional with a passion for a hands-on approach to problem-solving, has won many scholarships and awards including the Women in Aviation Scholarship by Pratt and Whitney (2007), the International Aviation Women Association / International Civil Aviation Organization Scholarship (2010), the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Reformational Leadership Award (2018), and the APWEN Biennial Woman Capacity Development Award (2019). She is also a grant awardee of the Royal Academy of Engineering, UK under the GCFR African catalyst programme.
During her tenure as APWEN President, she undertook an ambitious project, the first of its kind in the country’s engineering sphere. The Initiative, “Invent it, Build it,” created in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), aimed to encourage the girl child from primary school to embrace STEM careers. Students across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria benefited, with hundreds of scholarships awarded, while science laboratories were also constructed in select schools.
She pioneered SheEngineer and most recently, the Shengineer 30% Club, aiming at affirmative action for women engineers in industry.
In 2023, she was among 6 other Nigerians named among Engineering Icons on a Special Tube Map, which renamed traditional London Underground lines and stations to recognise the diverse talent of those involved in multiple disciplines of the practice. A Station line London Metropolitan Piccadilly was renamed after her.
Amazing