On September 18, 2024, Lady Ada Chukwudozie made history by becoming the first Igbo woman to chair a commercial bank in Nigeria, Keystone Bank. This appointment marks her name on the walls of history alongside Ibukun Awosika, the first female chairman of First Bank. This move rewrites the narrative of women in the male-dominated financial sector.
Born on June 7, 1972, in Ezinifite, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chukwudozie grew up in a family that taught her the importance of excellence.
Her career spans nearly three decades. She earned a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, and a postgraduate diploma and a master’s in Business Administration from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. She has succeeded in building a reputation as an intelligent leader, especially in manufacturing, oil and gas, and banking.
One of Chukwudozie’s most notable leadership roles was as the Executive Director of Dozzy Oil and Gas Ltd, where she worked alongside her husband, Daniel Chukwudozie, who chairs the Dozzy Group. The company has since experienced tremendous growth, solidifying its reputation as a force in the oil and gas sector.
She also made history when she became the first woman to lead the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for the Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi regions. This groundbreaking achievement placed her at the forefront of manufacturing in Nigeria and opened doors for other women to take on leadership roles.
She is the Publisher of Vogue Afrique Magazine, a glamorous publication that showcases African fashion, culture, and entrepreneurship on the global stage. She has also been a major supporter of the Nigerian fashion industry. Her love for humanity, especially for vulnerable women and widows in rural communities, led her to set up APWORD (Association of Professional Women on Rural Development). This non-governmental organisation provides financial assistance to these women.
Her achievements, hard work, and dedication have earned her numerous accolades. In 2021, the Nigerian government awarded her the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM). In 2022, The Sun newspaper named her “Industrialist of the Year.” She was further honoured in 2024 when Vanguard newspaper recognised her as “Personality of the Year.”
Ada Chukwudozie, Chairman of Keystone Bank
The devoted wife and mother of six children is the first Igbo woman to chair a commercial bank in Nigeria. She brings almost three decades of experience across various industries, making her well-equipped to guide the bank into a new era of growth and stability.
The new board at the bank, which she now chairs, includes professionals with extensive banking, finance, and corporate governance expertise. Together, they aim to drive the bank towards greater financial sustainability, focusing on emerging economic opportunities in the region.
Ada Chukwudozie is a fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, Institute of Directors, Nigeria (IOD), and National Council member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). She is also a member of the Nigerian Societies of Engineers, Institute of Industrialists and Corporate Administrators, Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, Energy Committee, and Institute of Directors (IOD) Nigeria Council.
The industrialist is also a Member of the Nigerian British Chambers of Commerce and a council member of the Onitsha Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture. Chukwudozie is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IOD) and a National Council member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
