Winifred Akpani OFR is a Nigerian businesswoman and entrepreneur recognized 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]

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)

Early life and education

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Akpani earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Benin, Benin City. She subsequently obtained a Postgraduate 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)[8] and the Institute of Directors.[citation needed]

Career

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Akpani began her career as a trainee accountant at Oni Lasebikan and Co. (now Ernst & Young) in 1987. She subsequently joined Arthur Anderson & Co. (now KPMG Professional Services), where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990. And held the position of audit senior until her departure in 1992.[9][10]

In 1992, Akpani joined Flame Petroleum & Gas Company Limited as a Financial Controller and was promoted to Executive Director in 1997.[7][11] In 1998, she founded Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited with an initial capital of 200,000 Naira. The company started by distributing diesel in 200-liter drums to homes, guest houses, banks, and corporations.[12] Over time, Northwest Petroleum expanded its operations to include international oil trading and service transactions, as well as investments in the midstream and upstream sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.[13][14][15][16]

Contributions and affiliations

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

Personal life

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

References

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  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".