Zenith Bank, Ford Foundation Honour Unsung Sheroes at Inaugural Woman of Power Awards
LAGOS — Zenith Bank Plc, in partnership with Ford Foundation, has honoured 19 exceptional Nigerian women at the inaugural Woman of Power Awards, spotlighting grassroots impact, resilience, and leadership across communities.
The award ceremony, held on March 28, 2026, at Civic Centre, marks the grand finale of Zenith Bank’s month-long Women’s Month activities.
Themed “Celebrating Resilience, Leadership, and Generosity,” the initiative recognises women drawn from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, spanning sectors including trade, agriculture, education, and small-scale manufacturing.
Organisers describe the honourees as “unsung Sheroes” — everyday women whose contributions often go unnoticed but continue to shape lives and communities through service, innovation, and perseverance.
Among the awardees are:
• Josephine Ugwu, honoured for her integrity after returning millions of naira misplaced by passengers at Murtala Muhammed Airport
• Mary Matanmi, Lagos State coordinator of hairdressers, barbers, and cosmetologists
• Adenike A. Lambo, Iyaloja of Ilorin
• Joy C. Ezenwa (Mama Amala), trader at Sabon Gari Market, Kano
• Ifeanyi P. Ugwueze, a visually impaired guidance counsellor and doctoral candidate
Others include community leaders, educators, traders, and development specialists making measurable impact across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Adaora Umeoji, represented by Executive Director Adobi Nwapa, reiterates the bank’s commitment to gender inclusion, noting that women hold strategic leadership positions across its management and board.
“Zenith Bank’s commitment to gender inclusion is not rhetoric but a core ethos,” she states.
Also speaking, the Regional Director of the Ford Foundation, Chichi Aniagolu, describes the initiative as a revealing journey into the often-overlooked potential of Nigerian women.
Both organisations affirm plans to expand the programme, reinforcing long-term investment in women-led impact across communities.
Zenith Bank also highlights its women-focused initiatives, including the Z-Woman programme and its 19-year sponsorship of the NBBF Women’s Basketball League, further strengthening its position as a leading advocate for gender inclusion and economic empowerment in Nigeria.