Africa must harness women’s knowledge, skills and talent- Dr Tinuade Sanda

In recent decades, there have been calls for greater gender equality while enhancing the need to close the gender wage gap. Although tremendous strides have been made in this aspect, there is still a fundamental lack of women in leadership roles.

Governments, companies, or organizations have a responsibility to create better policies and opportunities for women. Still, at the same time, women also need support to step forward and overcome the habits holding them back.

Women’s leadership in Africa is not a new phenomenon. Throughout Africa’s history, women were critical problem solvers, leading militaries during the pre-colonial period, freedom fighters during independence movements, transitional leaders during post-conflict periods, and leaders during some of the worst economic, political, and health crises of the 21st century. Moving forward, Africa must harness women’s knowledge, skills, and talents at all levels of the problem-solving process, as a means of reclaiming the continent’s future.

In this write-up, we will focus on and celebrate the Nigerian first female Managing Director of one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest distribution companies known as EKO Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

With over 22 years of comprehensive expertise in financial management, financial reporting, and treasury management—and especially with over 14 years of experience in leadership roles—Dr. Tinuade Toyin Sanda is an accomplished professional and business executive leader in the energy industry. She holds a PhD in Financial Management & Entrepreneurship and an MBA with a focus in Strategic Planning from Edinburgh Business School at Herriot Watt University in Scotland, UK. These degrees have given her the knowledge and skills to strategically transform organizations in order to achieve growth, competitiveness, and outstanding results. Her background includes work in the electricity, oil and gas, and banking and finance industries.

In her capacity as a corporate leader, she offers creative answers to problems pertaining to the economy and energy, not just in Nigeria but also in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. She fervently supports accessible, dependable, and environmentally friendly energy sources, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy. Dr. Tinuade Toyin Sanda currently serves on a power subcommittee that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recently established.

Dr. Tinuade Toyin Sanda held a number of leadership positions in the banking industry before, including relationship manager at Chartered Bank in 2001. Later, in 2003, She started working at Access Bank, where she was able to gain a great deal of expertise in retail credit management, cash management, branch operations, and customer service. Dr. Tinuade Toyin Sanda was Head of Finance and Administration at Vanguard Energy Resources, a well-known provider of oil and gas trading services, before she joined EKEDC.

Dr. Tinuade Sanda’s professional experiences and educational background have shaped her into a successful business executive leader, and a sought-after keynote speaker at major seminars, webinars, and capacity development training in Nigeria, Africa, and the wider world.

Tinuade has experience working for reputable multinational companies in Nigeria. She was employed in the banking industry, holding several leadership positions and serving as a relationship manager at Chartered Bank in 2001. Later, in 2003, she started working at Access Bank, where she was able to obtain a wealth of expertise in retail credit management, cash management, branch operations, and customer service. She held the position of Head, of Finance and Administration at Vanguard Energy Resources, a renowned provider of oil and gas trading services, before coming to work at EKEDC in 2013.

She is a fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, Institute of Credit Management Administration, Institute of Professional Financial Managers, United Kingdom, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, among other distinguished professional bodies in Nigeria and overseas. She is also an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Directors and the Risk Management Association of Nigeria. Dr. Tinuade is still fervently committed to using innovation, teamwork, and constant improvement to spur success and produce outstanding results.

Conclusion:

To change course, power must be shared equally, made visible and accountable, at all levels, and that is what’s at the core of feminist leadership.

We need more transformative feminist leaders like Dr Tinuade Sanda and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to face the unprecedented challenges of our times.