TheCable

Three Nigerian women have made it to the Financial Times top 100 global female executives list.

Funke Abimbola, former general counsel and head of financial compliance at Roche, was ranked 14th while Biola Alabi, the chief executive officer of Biola Alabi Media and Entertainment was ranked 98th.

Bukola Adisa, Barclays’ managing director, head of risk and controls framework, design & execution, was ranked 100th.

Alabi was the only Nigerian-based female executive on the list.

Commenting on the ranking, Alabi, who is a non-executive board member of Unilever Nigeria, said: “I have always placed a strong emphasis on doing what I can to support and nurture talented women in business – through mentorship and creating opportunities for others to excel in business and the workplace across Africa.

“I am humbled and honoured to be recognised alongside so many outstanding female executives who are championing gender diversity and inclusion. Yet I am, also aware of how much there still is to do to increase the representation of women in business at all levels.

“Let me be frank; ‘Africa PLC’ cannot and will not advance at the pace it should, without the amplification of female roles in senior positions.

“Until we see parity in leadership teams and in the boardrooms, I will be resolute, and vocal, in my mission to bring women to the forefront of corporate Africa.”

Biola Alabi Media and Entertainment has an all-female leadership and 75% of its staff are females.