On November 4, 2023, Edo State University Uzairue conferred Owen Omogiafo, President and Group CEO of Transnational Corporation (Transcorp Plc) with the Honourary Doctorate Degree, Doctor of Business Administration, DBA (Honoris Causa) of the University. This is the second time an institution of higher learning is awarding Omogiafo a doctorate. Omogiafo also holds an Honorary Doctor of Engineering (Ph.D. Honoris Causa) from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Delta State. Honourary doctorate degrees are bestowed on individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society or achieved remarkable success in their respective fields; Omogiafo belongs to the two categories.
Owen Omogiafo’s journey in the corporate world has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. She has steered Transcorp Plc towards unprecedented growth and success, solidifying her position as a dynamic force in the business world. Under her leadership, Transcorp Plc has not only weathered the storms of economic uncertainty but has thrived, creating jobs, and driving economic progress.
Her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence have earned her numerous awards and recognition throughout the year, and rightfully so. In a world where leadership is often challenged, Owen Omogiafo stands as a beacon of what it means to lead with integrity, vision, and a strong sense of purpose.
A distinguished Nigerian business luminary, revered mentor and visionary leader with exceptional achievements and significant impact in the corporate world, Omogiafo leads Transcorp, whose strategic investments in the Power, Hospitality, and Oil and Gas sectors make the company one of the most diversified indigenous conglomerates.
A proud indigene of Edo State, Omogiafo studied at the University of Benin, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology. Her quest for knowledge led her to acquire a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science. She has also studied at the Lagos Business School and the IESE Business School in Spain.
An ex-Accenture employee, Omogiafo specialised in Change Management but showed there are many sides to her excellence when she joined Heirs Holdings. At the family investment company, she assumed roles such as Director of Resources, responsible for optimizing human and machine engagement within the group. She also served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, where she played a pivotal role in overseeing a program with a $100 million fund aimed at identifying, mentoring, and funding 10,000 entrepreneurs over a decade.
Owen’s journey at Transcorp began as the Executive Director of Corporate Services in July 2018. Her capabilities soon propelled her to the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Hotels Plc, where she successfully managed the flagship Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Transcorp Hotels Calabar. In March 2020, she assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp, making her the youngest CEO on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the first female to occupy this position within the Transcorp Group.
Omogiafo’s influence extends to the boardrooms of various organizations, including the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) in Nigeria, and she holds Non-Executive Director positions in companies such as Transcorp Power Limited, Transcorp Hotels Plc, and Avon Healthcare Limited. Her contributions are evident through her involvement in board committees focused on finance, investment, risk, and governance.
When a leader contributes as much as Owen Omogiafo does, prestigious awards and recognitions follow. Rising from her humble upbringing in Benin City, Omogiafo has become a celebrated business leader in Nigeria and is a fast-rising African star on global stages.
As she stood tall speaking to Indian investors at the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable & Conference which was held in New Delhi earlier this year, she stood as an exemplification of what is possible with excellence and hard work. A reminder to other Nigerian government officials there present why she was made an officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in May, one of the many awards and recognition Omogiafo has enjoyed this year.
She has also been named one of Africa’s Top 100 Women in Leadership, Outstanding African CEO of the Year (13th Edition of the African Achievers Awards), and The 2023 AABLA (All African Business Leaders Awards) Businesswoman of the Year Award. These accolades reflect her exceptional achievements and the significant impact she has made in her professional endeavours.
But Owen Omogiafo’s influence doesn’t stop at the corporate boardroom. Her journey is a testament to the power of combining business acumen with a commitment to societal progress. She is not just a leader; she is a change-maker who understands the importance of giving back to the community and inspiring others to do the same.
In a time when our public institutions are in dire need of transformation and renewal, Owen Omogiafo’s light shines even brighter. Her remarkable success in the private sector provides a blueprint for how effective leadership and innovative thinking can bring about positive change in society.
