If excellence had a face, it would wear the confident and determined expression of Dr. Ogochuku Okekpolo. A woman of spirit, vision, and undeniable influence, she has spent decades shaping financial management, corporate strategy, and gender advocacy with a commitment to excellence.
Yet, behind the remarkable titles, United Nations Eminent Ambassador, Executive Director of Corporate Services at Bicens Resources Ltd, Director at Women in Energy, Oil and Gas (WEOG) Delta State, and United Nations Global Ambassador for Gender Priority Strategy lies a woman who has mastered the art of balancing high-level corporate administration with a deep-seated passion for gender equity and economic transformation.
A Legacy Built on Expertise, Leadership
Armed with a degree in Accounting and Finance from Delta State University, Abraka, Dr. Okekpolo set out on a career that would see her not just crunching numbers but shaping industries, breaking barriers, and redefining leadership.
From her early days as an Assistant Finance Officer at the Central Bank of Nigeria during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2002 to her role as General Manager of Finance and Administration at Academic Associates Peace Works Nigeria, Dr. Okekpolo’s career has been a study in dogged dedication.
Her profession further flourished at Godwin Umusu & Co. Chartered Accountants, and Michharry and Sons Nigeria Ltd. Each experience sharpened her expertise in financial oversight, project management, and strategic operations.
From 2007 to 2018, she served as General Manager of Finance and Administration at Academic Associates PeaceWorks where she managed over 20 development project budgets, ensuring financial accountability and sustainable impact in rural communities across Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States.
She was instrumental in organising over 30 high-profile Niger Delta Stakeholder dialogues and more than 200 community meetings, fostering governance discussions that have shaped policy and development strategies in the region.
Her role at Bicens Resources Ltd sees her at the helm of corporate services, where she orchestrates operational excellence, supports executive leadership, and fosters an inclusive, dynamic work culture. Her leadership philosophy is refreshingly people-centric:
“Since we have to work together, let’s make it fun” and “Service with a smile.”
This mindset has helped her break down silos, foster teamwork, and create workplaces where collaboration thrives over intimidation. Her core values, integrity, passion, excellence, dignity, and accountability are not just words; they are principles she lives by.
Lifelong Commitment to Learning
Dr. Okekpolo is the kind of person who treats learning like a competitive sport, and she’s always winning.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Delta State University (Second Class Upper, 2001) as her starting block, she has since sprinted through a global circuit of prestigious certifications, each one sharpening her expertise and reinforcing her commitment to excellence.
From mastering Accounting Procedures, Office Administration, and Safety at ASCON (2011) to tackling Monitoring & Evaluation at the Commonwealth Pan-African Training in Uganda (2011), she has left no stone unturned in her quest for knowledge. She conquered Development in 2016 and went on to bag Leadership Training at the Institute of Certified Management Consultants Nigeria in 2019.
By 2020, she was refining her strategic prowess at the Metropolitan School of Business and Management, UK. She later completed a course on Strategic Leadership and Policy Making at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in 2023 before sealing the deal with a Master’s Degree from Nexford University, Washington, United States.
But Dr. Okekpolo isn’t just collecting certificates for the bragging rights. Her unrelenting pursuit of knowledge isn’t about personal accolades, it’s about impact. She learns, grows, and evolves, not just to stay ahead, but to lift others and shape a better, more informed society.
In November 2024, the United Nations bestowed upon Dr. Okekpolo the prestigious role of Global Ambassador for Gender Parity Strategy, solidifying her position as a global thought leader.
That same year, she received an Honorary Doctorate in Leadership and Strategic Management from Highstone Global University, proof of her indelible mark in governance and corporate administration.
A Champion for Women
Dr. Okekpolo’s influence extends far beyond corporate boardrooms. As the Director of Women in Energy, Oil, and Gas (WEOG) Delta State Chapter, she is a vocal advocate for environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. She has spoken out against gas flaring, emphasising its environmental and economic consequences.
According to her, “I think gas flaring not only degenerates our environment, but it is also like a wastage of a lot of resources. Oil and gas have a lot of by-products that can be useful in the development of our economy.
“We should leave the primary focus and grow in our oil and gas business. We are still at the periphery, just extracting and exporting. We should refine and build our industries around this so that our energy sector is transformational.”
Okekpolo added, “There are many nations who don’t use gas to cook. The oil and gas energy sector drives the economy. The electricity we see, the turbines are powered by gas. So, if gas is expensive, then electricity is expensive to the welder, the saloon, fish seller on the street; they can’t preserve without light and that is energy driven by gas.”
Her advocacy extends beyond oil and gas. As Global Ambassador for Gender Priority Strategy, she has made it her mission to close the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Speaking at the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11th, she stressed the need for schools to foster confidence, curiosity, and leadership in girls.
“To promote gender equality in STEM education, we must implement more STEM clubs for girls, introduce gender-inclusive curricula, and provide targeted teacher training. Scholarships and mentorship programs can transform curious students into the next generation of female scientists.”
Her words aren’t just rhetoric, they are a call to action for educators, policymakers, and institutions to create inclusive learning environments that encourage female participation in STEM.
Call To Next Generation
In a conversation with The Pointer, she shared the driving force behind her relentless pursuit of excellence.
“I just want to make a difference and keep learning along the way, that’s what keeps me going. I also understand that you cannot give what you do not have. You cannot share knowledge you don’t possess, nor can you offer connections you haven’t built. You can’t open doors to places you’ve never been. That understanding fuels my ambition, I must keep pushing to be better.”
On her aspirations, she was unequivocal:
“I aim to become a diplomat in every sense of the word. My dream is to serve as an ambassador for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But beyond that, I want to rewrite the narrative about women, particularly in the Niger Delta. Too often, we are labelled as troublemakers, yet this region is brimming with untapped talent. The real issue? Limited exposure. Many of us are termed ‘local champions,’ excelling within our immediate circles but failing to break into national and international spaces.
“I want to shatter that ceiling and bring more women onto bigger platforms. Together, we can do so much more. Together, we can redefine the image of the Niger Delta woman, the African woman, and women everywhere. I believe the future belongs to women. Men have led for generations, it’s time we stepped up and took our rightful place.”
For young women who look up to her, her message is clear:
“Hard work is not suffering. That’s the mistake many young people make today. They assume they’re working for someone else, but in truth, they’re investing in themselves. The skills you acquire stay with you.
“The Bible says that diligence will place you before kings, not mere men. And it is those kings, leaders, and decision-makers, who can open doors for you. But how can you get to that point if you don’t take your work seriously?
“Greatness is reserved for the diligent. If you are not diligent, greatness will not find you. Society has fed women, especially young women, a false narrative that we are meant to remain average and cannot lead. I say, reject that mindset. Greatness is never handed to mediocrity. It does not come to those who blend in. The world is getting more competitive by the day, if you want to stand out, you must push beyond the ordinary.
“I see too many young people with a limiting mindset, thinking they’re simply working for a salary or enduring hardship. But the truth is, you are building yourself. You are expanding your network and proving your worth. Keep pushing. Don’t settle. Challenges are not stumbling blocks; they are stepping stones to something greater.”
From boardrooms to global advocacy, from financial management to STEM empowerment, Dr. Ogochuku Okekpolo isn’t just making strides, she’s rewriting the playbook. Whether championing women’s empowerment, reshaping business landscapes, or driving community transformation, one thing is certain: where there’s a need for change, her voice is heard, and her impact is felt.
