Walter Akpani and his lovely wife, Winifred, are corporate titans in Nigeria’s banking and oil & gas sectors, respectively. Each of them is famous and accomplished in their own right. While Walter bestrides the banking industry like a colossus, with over three decades of experience to his name, Winifred has distinguished herself on the frontlines of the oil & gas business in Nigeria.
Walter Akpani, who holds a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, began his banking career in the Treasury department of ICON Stockbrokers. He later became a restructuring team member at Commercial Trust Bank, a pioneer staff at Standard Trust Bank Plc (now United Bank for Africa – UBA), and a pioneer staff at Platinum Bank Ltd. In the course of this career progression, he distinguished himself not only as a leading Treasurer in the Nigerian banking industry but also shaped and facilitated banking start-ups, playing a key role in their successful set-up, restructuring, and growth. His hands-on experience in bank start-ups and his acumen in financial management have positioned him as a key player in the development of Nigeria’s banking industry. He is the brain behind major advancements in banking operations, client relations, and financial inclusion, driving positive change and setting new standards for the sector.
When he disengaged from Platinum Bank Ltd as Vice President, Institutional Banking, he started United Mortgage Bank Limited, which has now metamorphosed into Providus Bank. His facilitation of the recent merger of Providus Bank with Unity Bank and the rapid expansion of the bank is a testament to Akpani’s strategic thinking and craftsmanship as a foremost change management agent in the Nigerian banking industry.
As the Managing Director and CEO of Providus Bank, Akpani stands out as one of the most accomplished bankers in Nigeria. He has deployed his strong interpersonal skills, industry depth, and vast network of contacts and associates in the most strategic sectors of the Nigerian economy to the service of the bank. He has also brought to bear on Providus Bank his commitment to innovation and passion for creating opportunities. These attributes are reflected in the innovations Providus Bank, under his watch, has brought to E-Business, Personal and Private Banking, Corporate and Commercial Banking, as well as Institutional Banking. They are also the reasons why the bank is growing in leaps and bounds.
Walter Akpani, who is actively involved in youth development in Nigeria, is a winner of The Sun Banker of the Year Award.
While Mr. Akpani displays his craftsmanship in the financial industry, his wife, Winifred, rules her own world as an oil and gas guru and Chief Executive of North-West Petroleum, a leading oil company which she founded over two decades ago. Described as a woman of diligence, excellence, and integrity, Winifred is a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria’s economy. Her entrepreneurial exploits readily qualify her as one of the leading players in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
A chartered accountant, Winifred holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science, and is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and the Institute of Directors. She began her career as a trainee accountant at Oni Lasebikan and Co. (now Ernst & Young) in 1987 and later joined Arthur Andersen & Co. (now KPMG Professional Services), where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990. She left the firm as an Audit Senior in 1992 for Flame Petroleum & Gas Company Limited as a Financial Controller and was promoted to Executive Director in 1997. Mrs. Akpani founded Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited a year later with an initial capital of N200,000. Since then, there has been no looking back.
The company started by distributing diesel in 200-liter drums to homes, guest houses, banks, and corporations. Over time, Northwest Petroleum expanded its operations to include international oil trading and service transactions, as well as investments in the midstream and upstream sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The company now handles international oil trading and services deals worth millions of dollars. It owns and operates two ultra-modern mega Petroleum Products Storage Terminals with a combined capacity of 96.8 million litres and an ultra-modern berthing facility with international state-of-the-art fire-fighting and safety equipment, adjudged one of the best in Nigeria and sited in the Calabar Free Trade Zone, Cross River State, in addition to several unique 24- and 26-nozzle ultra-modern mega filling stations across the country. Now possessing vast experience in the importation, supply, distribution, and storage of petroleum products, Northwest Petroleum has become actively involved in the exportation of crude oil.
Mrs. Akpani has other business interests across the energy, oil, and gas sectors. She is a Director of Millennium Oil and Gas Company Limited, the operator of the Oza Marginal Field, and Northwest Energy Nigeria Limited, a company in the exploration and production sector. She equally has substantial interests in the banking industry and is also a Director of Fleet Travels and Tours Nigeria Limited, a first-class travel agency. Mrs. Winifred Akpani serves as a non-executive director at GDL, a leading diversified financial institution creating wealth, transforming society, and providing unique financial solutions to strengthen and expand the middle class in terms of savings, investment, financial access, infrastructure, housing, employment, and others.
Winifred Akpani is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors. She is also involved in humanitarian work and charitable donations. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI awarded her the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal or Cross of Honour, the highest award of the Catholic Church established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 for distinguished service to the church and humanity.
The Akpanis’ various corporate commitments and contributions to Nigeria’s economic development serve as an inspiration to the younger generation of couples with the message that a successful marriage is not a hindrance to career development. This has earned them a place among The Top10 Magazine‘s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria.
