Winifred Akpani is a Nigerian businesswoman and entrepreneur known for her contributions to the oil and gas industry. She is a chartered accountant, founder, and chief executive officer of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited, an indigenous petroleum products marketing company based in Nigeria.
Early life and education
Born in Cross River State, Nigeria, Akpani obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Benin (Nigeria), Benin City, She then proceeded to earn a postgraduate diploma in Computer Science from the University of Lagos.
She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors. She has pursued continuous education, participating in various courses across finance, oil and gas, corporate governance, and banking.
Career
Akpani started as a trainee accountant at Oni Lasebikan and Co. (now Ernst & Young) in 1987. She later moved to Arthur Anderson & Co. (now KPMG Professional Services), where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990. She attained the position of audit senior before departing in 1992.
In 1992, she joined Flame Petroleum & Gas Company Limited as a financial controller. She eventually became an executive director in 1997.
In 1998, Akpani founded Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited. With a startup capital of N200,000 (two hundred thousand Naira), the company initially focused on diesel distribution in 200-liter drums to various entities, including homes, guest houses, banks, and corporations. Over time, Northwest Petroleum expanded its operations, engaging in international oil trading and service transactions worth millions of dollars. The company also secured investments in the midstream and upstream sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited owns over a 100 million-liter storage capacity in Nigeria, contributing to the nation's energy distribution infrastructure.
Contributions and affiliations
Akpani is a director of Millennium Oil and Gas Company Limited and Northwest Energy Nigeria Limited, an exploration and production company. She also holds a directorship at Fleet Travels and Tours Nigeria Limited.
In 2019, she was elected as the new Chairman of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).
Additionally, Akpani is a non-executive director at GDL, a diversified financial institution.
Recognition and awards
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) honored Akpani at the 2022 ICAN Annual Dinner and Awards at the Oriental Hotels Victoria Island. In 2016, she was conferred with the Positive Impact Award by the Cross River State Government in collaboration with Profiles & Biographies, a biographical and supplemental information management company In 2018, The Guardian newspaper included her in their list of "Leading Ladies Africa: 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria" for her contributions and achievements in business and enterprise. In 2009, she was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal by Pope Benedict XVI for distinguished service to the Catholic Church and humanity.
Personal life
Winifred Akpani is married to Walter Akpani, who is the managing director and CEO of Providus Bank Limited. They have a child together.
References
Living people
People from Cross River State
Nigerian accountants
University of Benin (Nigeria) alumni
Nigerian chairpersons of corporations
University of Lagos alumni
Year of birth missing (living people)