The latest 2025 PWR Advisory NGX-30 Board Gender Diversity Scorecard reveals a historic shift in Nigeria’s corporate landscape. Women now occupy 31.1% of board seats among the 30 largest and most liquid companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), up from 29.7% in 2024.
This progress coincides with a stellar year for the Nigerian capital market. In 2025, the NGX All-Share Index surged by over 51%, closing at a record-breaking 155,613 points. This performance solidified the NGX’s position as one of the best-performing exchanges globally, proving that diverse leadership and record-breaking financial returns often go hand-in-hand.
1. 2025 Diversity Milestones
The report marks several “firsts” for gender inclusion in Nigeria’s blue-chip companies:
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The “No All-Male Board” Milestone: For the first time in the scorecard’s six-year history, zero companies in the NGX-30 have an all-male board.
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CEO & Chair Representation: Five of the top 30 firms are now led by female CEOs, and three companies feature female board chairs—a significant increase from just one chair in 2024.
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Sector Leaders: The Services sector leads with 57.1% female representation, followed by Consumer Goods (34.8%) and Financial Services (32.8%).
2. Spotlight: The Executive Powerhouse
While non-executive roles are increasing, the real “engine room” decisions are often made by Executive Directors (EDs)—those who manage daily operations and strategy. Currently, 13 women hold these high-stakes positions across the NGX-30.
Profile: Mrs. Pamela Shodipo (ED, Fidelity Bank Plc)
A veteran in the banking sector, Pamela Shodipo oversees the South Directorate at Fidelity Bank. Her career is a blueprint for cross-border leadership:
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Experience: Over 25 years in banking, spanning general management and business origination.
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Journey: Started at International Standard Insurance (1991), moved to Zenith Bank (1997), and spent significant years at UBA Group as MD/CEO of UBA Benin Republic and Head of Personal Banking for Africa.
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Education: B.Sc. in Psychology (UNILAG), MBA (University of Wales), and executive alumnus of Harvard and Oxford.
3. The Top Performance Rankings (2025)
According to PWR Advisory, these companies are setting the benchmark for gender-diverse boardrooms in Nigeria:
“The outcomes are clear: diverse boards manage risk better and drive inclusive growth. Reaching the 30% threshold is a critical ‘tipping point’ for minority voices to meaningfully influence corporate policy.” — NGX-30 Gender Diversity Scorecard Report.
