In the past, Nigerian women have struggled to find acceptance in leadership positions, because of societal expectations and stereotypes. However, some women have made their marks indelible in the sands of time, making enormous strides in several formerly male-dominated industries and are excelling in leadership roles.
Changing this belief, Dr. Tinuade Sanda, the first female MD, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, has taken conscious efforts at putting her name on the board of women-achievers. Her position resonates with her capabilities and experience, as she focuses on the mindset that she is capable of doing a men-dominated job and then prove her merit. Well, today, she is one of these few Nigerian Women, in whom Nigeria is well pleased. Her hard work is key.
In March, 2022, she was appointed as the first female Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Eko Electricity Distribution Company.
She has always been a positive-minded person and a result-driven Executive, that has high emotional intelligence as well. She has proven to be well composed, even under pressure, and her smart intelligence and understanding of numbers stands her out. Being an accountant, she knows how to manage scarce resources and give out high returns.
At Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Tinuade’s broad duties include leading the management of the company for operational excellence to ensure that the Disco company gives its million customers quality service. Also, she ensures Eko Electricity Distribution Company gives customers uninterrupted power supply when possible. At this time, when some Electricity Distribution Companies have lost touch with the trust of their customers, Tinuade’s Eko Electricity Distribution Company ensures customers get fair billing for whatever electricity they consume.
Communication bridges many gaps, therefore Tinuade ensures there is timely communication with our customers when there are outages.
On the other hand, her specific roles as the MD of the company include leading a team of highly intelligent experts to achieve their goals and deliver power (electricity) in a healthy and safe manner. Also, she ensures that all stakeholders in the sector, especially those that have put in money, get returns on their investment.
Knowing fully well that everyone wants to be treated well, most especially at work, Tinuade ensures that the welfare of employees is well taken care of. Toxic environments as a result of disorganized hierarchies and office politics make it hard for employees to be productive.
For the regulators, Tinuade ensures the company she supervises complies with the laid down policies and regulations, and meets market obligations. It is also her duty to give directions to the team in actualising the Disco’s goals and mission.
On how she perceives her exalted position: She sees her position as a call to do more and serve. It also means that gender equality in the workplace is recognised. It means that anybody, as long as one has the qualities and criteria, can be given such an opportunity.
Mrs. Tinuade Sanda is the first child in a family of two children. She studied Accounting at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State, and graduated with a second class upper degree in 2001.
Still not satisfied with her educational attainment, Tinuade Sanda obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration with specialisations in Strategic Planning from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot Watt University, Scotland, United Kingdom.
She has also attended several courses, including the Strategic Financial Analysis for Business Evaluation Programme at the Harvard Business School, United States of America.
She bagged a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Financial Management and Entrepreneurship from the Icon University of Management Science and Technology, Benin Republic, in December 2020.
Dr. Sanda started her career in banking, and within that sector, she had different jobs: Treasury manager in Chartered Bank between 2000 and 2001; she later joined Access Bank in 2001, where she gained extensive experience in branch operations, customer service, cash management and retail credit management.
Prior to joining EKEDC in 2013, she was the Head, Finance and Administration at Vanguard Energy Resources— an oil and gas trading services company.
She is versatile in the areas of financial reporting, treasury management, taxation, mergers and acquisitions, finance regulation, risk management and financial modelling.
A woman with many firsts, she was the first Chief Finance Officer of West Power and Gas Limited— a special purpose vehicle that successfully acquired a 60 per cent controlling stake in EKEDC.
Prior to that, she was the Chief Treasury and Taxation Officer, Acting Chief Finance Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of EKEDC, where she was responsible for managing the financial operations of the business.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
