The Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has congratulated one of its members, Sherifat Adegbenro, on her appointment as Deputy Managing Director of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

Adegbenro was until her appointment the Chief Audit and Compliance Officer at EKEDC. She also serves as Vice President, Power and Renewables, at WIEN. In her new role, she will oversee Operations and Corporate Development at the company.

Ad >>>

Her appointment follows closely after EKEDC’s board, on 14 January, named another WIEN member, Wola Joseph-Condotti, as Interim Chief Executive Officer. The appointment came after Transgrid Enerco took over the board of EKEDC from West Power and Gas Limited (WPG).

Congratulating Adegbenro, WIEN President, Mrs Eyono Fatai-Williams, described the appointment as well deserved and reflective of a forward-looking management approach that prioritizes competence and performance.

According to her, the decision by EKEDC’s board confirms that capacity and opportunity must transcend gender barriers for organizations to achieve their full potential. She added that the appointment signals a growing recognition of women’s ability to provide effective leadership in critical sectors of the economy.

Mrs Fatai-Williams noted that EKEDC’s leadership choices strongly align with WIEN’s vision of expanding leadership opportunities for qualified female professionals across the energy value chain.

Adegbenro is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in audit, compliance, business process optimization and reengineering. She has led the rollout and implementation of entity-level and operational policies, as well as enterprise risk and fraud management frameworks across multiple sectors.

Her career in the energy sector is driven by a strong desire to master operations of the industry and add measurable value.

Since joining EKEDC in 2015, she has led strategic, risk-based internal audits and investigations. She championed the development and implementation of business continuity plans across all departments, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond her corporate career, Adegbenro is deeply involved in community service. She has worked with several organizations in Nigeria and the United States, including Junior Achievement (US and Nigeria), So Others Might Eat (S.O.M.E.) USA, Habitat for Humanity USA, and Cake Love Nigeria (Cake4Kidz).

Describing her as an asset to any organization, Mrs Fatai-Williams said Adegbenro is a vibrant, innovative and discerning leader with a strong drive for results. She added that her education and professional experience position her well for success in her new role.

She also commended EKEDC’s board and management for maintaining a gender-balanced leadership structure that prioritizes proven capacity and performance. According to her, the company has set a strong example of inclusive leadership within Nigeria’s energy sector.

WIEN’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Asanimo Omezi, also described the appointment as a significant step forward for gender balance in corporate leadership.

“Wola’s appointment demonstrates EKEDC’s commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive leadership structure,” Omezi said, adding that WIEN remains committed to supporting its members through visibility, advocacy and leadership opportunities.

Oracle Intelligence reports that is Nigeria’s leading professional platform for women in the energy industry. The organization promotes leadership, diversity, capacity development and sustainable growth across the entire energy value chain.