Ndidi Nwuneli; Shaping Visionary, Ethical & Creative Servant-Leaders

1975- A star was born.

1999- She earned a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School. She previously received her undergraduate degree with honours in Multinational and Strategic Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

2000- She returned to Nigeria, leaving the United States and a job as a Business Analyst and Associate with McKinsey & Company, one of the leading consulting firms in the world; she didn’t leave empty- handed though. In her words,

“I gained critical problem solving, analytical, communication and time management skills. I gained exposure to the leading companies in the world, who were my clients and an appreciation for the importance of systems and structures in building ensuring institutions. The experiences and exposure definitely transformed my outlook on life and enhanced my skills. I have definitely applied these skills to my work in Nigeria.” [thenextwoman.com]

2002- She founded LEAP Africa, a non-profit organization that which has successfully launched programmes for entrepreneurs and youth in twenty six cities including the FCT in collaboration with non-profit organizations and leading financial institutions. Many of LEAP’s youth beneficiaries have initiated high-impact change projects in their companies and communities including Toyosi Akerele, Founder CEO, Rise Networks; Tolulope Sangosanya, Founder Executive Director, LOTS Charity Foundation; Ogenefego Isikwenu, Founder, Teo Inspiro Communications; Lanre Messan, Founder of the Green Yaggy Project, a multiple award winning social transformation project and Chris Ibe, Founder, African Youth Initiative on Crime Prevention.

2003- She founded NIA, (Ndu – Life; Ike – Strength; Akunuba – Wealth), with the aim of empowering female university students to achieve their highest potential in life. NIA focuses its efforts on changing the attitudes of young women in order to inspire and motivate them to commit to achieving, through hard-work and discipline.

She was also recognized as a Global Leader of Tomorrow and Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

2004- She received a National Honor, Member of the Federal Republic, from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2005- She was recognized as the Young Manager of the Year 2005 by THISDAY Newspapers.

2007- She received an Excellence Award from the Africa Business Club at Harvard Business School.

2009- She co-founded AACE Foods, an indigenous agro-processing company, which aims to directly address the high levels of malnutrition in Nigeria and capitalize on the dearth of local manufactured food products by processing and packaging nutritious food sourced from smallholder farmers within Nigeria, in partnership with community groups and non-profit associations.

2010- She co-founded Sahel Capital; an advisory firm focused on West Africa and involved in agribusiness, manufacturing, private equity, and management consulting. Through her work with Sahel as the Head, Consulting and Advisory Services, she has helped to shape agriculture policies and supported a range of clients in Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia, including ECOWAS, Oxfam International, AGRA, USAID, UNECA, and Technoserve.

2011- She was recognised by Forbes as one of 20 Youngest Power women in Africa.

2013- Expansion, re-strategizing, re-positioning, scaling, diversifying.

2014- The tale of an amazing woman continues.

“Given our mission and vision, Nelson Mandela is one African leader who encompasses the values that we promote. He was authentic, principled, and dynamic. In his life’s work as a freedom fighter, and later as a president, he led by example, made sacrifices for others, took bold decisions and maintained his humility.

Africa needs more Nelson Mandelas and we have been working diligently over the past ten years to ensure that we do!!!” Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli. [thenextwoman.com]

Unstoppable Ndidi is what we call her!