Zenith Bank, Ford Foundation Honour 19 'Sheroes' with Woman of Power Award
Sponsored content: On March 28, 2026, Zenith Bank and Ford Foundation hosted the inaugural Woman of Power Award at The Civic Centre, concluding the bank's month-long Women's Month activities. Themed 'Celebrating Resilience, Leadership, and Generosity,' the event recognised 19 women selected from Nigeria's six geopolitical zones for extraordinary impact in trade, petty manufacturing, education, and agriculture despite the country's difficult economic situation. Awardees demonstrated leadership, community impact, innovativeness, and integrity. Honoured women include Mrs Regina Amankulor, a retired nurse empowering youth in Umuode-Nsulu community, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State; Mary Matanmi, Coordinator of the Nigeria Association of Hairdressers, Barbers and Cosmetologists, Lagos State chapter; Ifeanyi P. Ugwueze, a blind Guidance Counsellor and Life Coach pursuing a doctorate; Amina Musa, a trade educator in Karonmajiji, AMAC, Abuja; Adenike A. Lambo, the Iyaloja of Ilorin; Sadiya Abubakar, an educator in Jibi (Deidei), Bwari Area Council, FCT; Erikan Idem Andrew, a market woman in Port Harcourt; Ngozi B. Nwankpa, an Aba-based fashion designer; Hadiza Umar, a Development Specialist in Kaduna; Joy C. Ezenwa (Mama Amala), a trader at Sabon Gari Market, Kano; Shola Esther Babalola (Mama Sho), founder of Mama Sho Honey brand in Lagos; and Josephine Ugwu, a FAAN staff honoured for honesty in returning millions of naira at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. Zenith Bank's Group Managing Director, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji (represented by Executive Director Adobi Nwapa), reaffirmed the bank's commitment to gender inclusion, noting its 50-50 gender ratio and women in strategic positions. Ford Foundation's Regional Director, Dr Chichi Aniagolu, described the award as an eye-opener to Nigerian women's overlooked potential. Both organisations pledged to sustain and grow the initiative, highlighting Zenith's Z-Woman program and 19-year sponsorship of the NBBF Women's Basketball League.