Zenith Bank Plc, in partnership with the Ford Foundation, has honoured outstanding women across Nigeria at the maiden edition of the Woman of Power Award, held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at The Civic Centre.
The event marked the grand finale of the bank’s month-long activities commemorating women’s month. It followed an earlier International Women’s Day seminar held at the same venue on March 9, 2026. The awards ceremony recognised exceptional women whose resilience, dedication, and impact have transformed their communities and livelihoods.
Stakeholders and speakers at the event commended Zenith Bank for its people-focused initiatives and lauded the Ford Foundation for choosing the bank as a strategic partner in advancing support for women facing unique cultural and economic challenges globally.
Themed “Celebrating Resilience, Leadership, and Generosity,” the initiative honoured 19 women selected from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, spanning sectors such as trade, petty manufacturing, education, and agriculture. Despite economic challenges, these women have demonstrated remarkable leadership, strength, and sustainable community impact.
According to the organisers, the award was designed to spotlight “Sheroes” — everyday women whose contributions often go unrecognised. The honourees include market women, small business owners, educators, healthcare workers, and community leaders making meaningful differences at the grassroots level.
Each recipient was evaluated based on key attributes such as leadership, innovation, perseverance, integrity, community impact, and philanthropy.
Notable awardees include:
- Mrs. Regina Amankulor, a retired nurse empowering youths in Abia State;
- Mary Matanmi, Lagos State Coordinator of the Nigeria Association of Hairdressers, Barbers and Cosmetologists;
- Ifeanyi P. Ugwueze, a visually impaired guidance counsellor and doctoral candidate;
- Amina Musa, a trade educator based in Abuja;
- Adenike A. Lambo, Iyaloja of Ilorin;
- Sadiya Abubakar, an educator in the FCT;
- Erikan Idem Andrew, a community-impact market woman in Port Harcourt;
- Ngozi B. Nwankpa, a fashion entrepreneur in Aba;
- Hadiza Umar, a development specialist in Kaduna;
- Joy C. Ezenwa (Mama Amala), a trader in Kano;
- Shola Esther Babalola (Mama Sho), founder of the Mama Sho Honey brand;
- Josephine Ugwu of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, recognised for her integrity in returning lost funds at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos;
- Among several other inspiring women.
In her keynote address, the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Adaora Umeoji (represented by Executive Director Adobi Nwapa), applauded the awardees and reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to gender inclusion. She emphasized that gender equality remains a core value, noting the bank’s balanced representation and the milestone of having its first female Group Managing Director.
Also speaking, Dr. Chichi Aniagolu of the Ford Foundation described the initiative as a powerful revelation of the immense, often untapped potential of Nigerian women, following her team’s nationwide engagement.
Both organisations pledged to expand and sustain the Woman of Power Award in the years ahead.
Zenith Bank also highlighted its women-focused initiatives, including the Z-Woman programme and its 19-year sole sponsorship of the Nigeria Basketball Federation Women’s Basketball League, reinforcing its leadership in promoting women’s empowerment and economic inclusion across Nigeria.
