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MOST STRATEGIC CFOs RESHAPING THE ROLE OF FINANCE in 2025
The Strategic CFO Reshaping Finance
N K E C H I
Editors Insights
Welcome to The Fortune Leader’s Special Edi on:
The Most Strategic CFOs Who Are Redefining the Role of Finance in 2025! In this edi on, we're highligh ng finance execu ves who are not just protec ng their organiza ons' performance but are also transforming the way businesses think about strategy, innova on, and growth.
One of the standout leaders highlighted in this edi on is Nkechi Igbokwe Ojeyokan, the Chief Financial Officer of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc. Her career showcases an impressive mix of strategic insight, resilience, and a peoplefocused approach in Nigeria’s ever-evolving business landscape. From honing her skills in major corpora ons to guiding Berger Paints toward opera onal excellence and profitability, Nkechi has redefined the modern CFO role by blending financial exper se with innova on, mentorship, and a forward-thinking vision.
At present, a CFO's job goes way beyond just keeping an eye on balance sheets and making sure everything is compliant. Now, it is all about strategy, innova on, and fostering sustainable growth. Nkechi is a perfect example of how this role has evolved.
Her professional journey kicked off in the United Kingdom and has since taken her through various leadership roles in finance, procurement, and IT at some of Nigeria’s top companies. At Berger Paints, she has been a game-changer, driving revenue growth, op mizing opera ons, and building high-performing teams. Her leadership clearly shows how finance can be a powerful driver of overall business success.
This feature shines a spotlight on Nkechi, not just as a guardian of financial performance, but as a visionary who is ac vely shaping the future of corporate finance in Nigeria. Her journey serves as an inspiring roadmap for aspiring CFOs, showcasing how skills, flexibility, and strategic insight can transform the finance func on and create a las ng impact on organiza ons.
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Sco Edward
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Lily Hayler
Business Development Manager
Lauren Green, Millie Butler, Rosie Jonas
Business Development Execu ve
Victoria Ma hews, Ashley Tucker
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Paul Brown
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Robert Smith
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OJEYOKAN N K E C H I Igbokwe Igbokwe 10 CO VER ST OR Y
Igbokwe N K E C H I Igbokwe OJEYOKAN
The Strategic CFO Reshaping Finance
S tory
Inthefast-movingcorridorsofNigerianbusiness,where
volatilityinmarketsandunpredictabilityinpolicyshifts oftentesttheresilienceofcompanies,onefinanceleader standsoutforherabilitytocombinedisciplinewith innovation.NkechiIgbokweOjeyokan,theChiefFinancial OfficerofBergerPaintsNigeriaPlc,hasbuiltherreputation asoneofthemoststrategicCFOsredefiningwhatfinancial leadershipmeansin2025.
HerjourneyfromayoungfinancegraduateintheUKtothe executivesuiteofoneofNigeria'smostrespected manufacturingcompaniesisnotjustachronicleofsteady careerprogressionitisacasestudyinadaptability,foresight, andthepoweroffinancetoinfluencecorporatedestiny.
TheMakingofaFinanceLeader
Nkechi'sstorybeginswitharigorousacademic grounding.In2007,sheearnedanMSc.inFinanceand InvestmentattheUniversityofUlster,Coleraine.Like manyambitiousyoungprofessionals,shecutherteethin temporaryrolesinaccountsreceivablesintheUKbefore returninghometoNigeria.Thatdecisionsetherona trajectorythatwouldeventuallyestablishherasoneof thecountry'sleadingvoicesinfinance.
In2009,shejoinedNigerianBreweriesPlc,amemberof theHeinekenGroupandoneofthelargestcompaniesin WestAfrica.HerentryroleasaFinancialControl Analystgaveherafirstrealtasteofwhatcorporate financedemanded:accuracy,speed,andinsight.She handledproductvarianceanalysis,functionalexpense reporting,anddeviationcommentariestasksthat sharpenedheranalyticaleyeandtaughtherhow numberstellastoryfarbeyondledgers.
AssherotatedthroughrolesincludingInterimPayment AccountantandInternalAuditAssistantshedevelopeda well-roundedskillset.Vendorpayments,ERPmigration, auditpreparation,andthecreationofakeycontrol frameworkexposedhertoawidespectrumofbusiness operations.Theseyearsbuiltthefoundationforher abilitytoseefinancenotjustasanadministrative function,butasalensforunderstandingtheentire business.
RisingThroughtheRanks
By2012,NkechiwaspromotedtoBusinessUnit ControllerforLagos,arolethatplacedhercloserto managementdecision-making.Suddenly,financewasno longeraboutreportingpastperformanceitwasabout shapingfutureoutcomes.Shepartneredwithbusiness leaders,embeddedcontrols,andensuredfinancial integrityalignedwithoperationalgoals.
Herupwardtrajectorycontinuedin2015whenshewas appointedBusinessControllerfortheWestZone.Here, shemanagedfinancialoperationsacrosssevensales regionsineightstates.Thescalewasstaggering: managingcreditof₦9.2billiontogeneraterevenues exceeding₦124billionby2019.
Underherleadership,NigerianBreweriesachieved remarkablecostdisciplineandrevenuegrowth.Baddebt levelsweremaintainedatlessthan0.05%ofrevenue. Throughrigorousbudgetmonitoring,shedelivered savingsof15%againstplannedspending.Control compliancestoodconsistentlyabove90%from2017to 2019.Butperhapsjustasimportantly,Nkechihonedher skillsasaleaderofpeoplementoringdirectreports, drivingperformancemanagement,andlearninghowto inspireteamstodeliveratscale.
ADefiningChapteratChampionBreweries
IfheryearsatNigerianBrewerieswereabouthoningher craft,hertenureatChampionBreweriesPlcwasabout transformation.In2020,shewasappointedFinance DirectoroftheHeineken-ownedcompanyapromotion thatcamewithsteepchallenges.
TheworldwasinthegripoftheCOVID-19pandemic. Nkechi,nowamotheroftwoyoungchildren,relocated acrossNigeriatoassumehernewrole.Beyondfinance, herresponsibilitiesexpandedtoincludeProcurementand ITfunctionsshehadnopriorexperiencein. Itwasatrialbyfire.Yet,underherleadership,Champion Breweriesthrived.Between2020and2022,revenue surgedby77%andnetprofitskyrocketedby841%.She introducedpricinganddiscountstrategies,optimized distributioncoststhroughinvestmentsinlogistics,and doubledthecompany'scashbalance.
Governanceimprovementswereequallysignificant: policieswereupdated,customercontractsrevised,risk registersoverhauled,andfixedassetverification completed.A2billionloanwassecuredfromtheBank ofIndustryatasingle-digitinterestrate,fuelingcritical projects.Mostimpressively,sheledateamof13 professionalsacrossFinance,Procurement,andIT, moldingthemintoacohesive,high-performingunit.
Thischapter,Nkechirecalls,wasthedefiningmomentof hercareer.Itforcedhertoexpandbeyondhercomfort zone,toleadwithurgency,andtorelyoncollaboration andresilience.Italsodeepenedherunderstandingthat financeleadersmustbebusinessleadersfirst.
DrivingGrowthAcrossIndustries
By2023,NkechitransitionedtoTheBigBottling Company,amemberoftheAJEGroup,asCFO.The challengethistimewasmarketre-entry.Shenegotiated withvendorstorestoresupplychains,engagedbankers toreinstateloans,andcraftedfinancialplanstostabilize thebusiness.Managingacross-functionalteamspanning Finance,IT,andHR,sheensuredthecompanywas positionedforsustainableperformance.
Hertenureherereinforcedoneofhercorestrengths: navigatingvolatilitywithcalm,precision,andcreativity Whetherthroughworkingcapitalmanagement, stakeholderengagement,orvendorrelationship rebuilding,NkechidemonstratedthattheCFOrole extendswellbeyondnumbers.
TheBergerPaintsEra
In2024,NkechiacceptedtheroleofCFOatBerger PaintsNigeriaPlc,acompanywithalegacyasvibrantas itsproducts.BergerPaints,listedontheNigerian Exchange,isapioneerinpaintandalliedmanufacturing. ForNkechi,therolerepresentsbothaculminationofher careerandanewfrontier
Theresultsunderherleadershiphavebeen transformative.Revenuegrewby36%in2024compared to2023,whileprofitaftertaxclimbed31%.Grossprofit marginsimprovedby10%.Shereducedfinancial reportingtimelinesfromtenworkingdaystothree, introducedweeklyandmonthlydashboards,and optimizedworkingcapitalthroughinventory management.
Leadingateamofsevenfinanceprofessionals,shehas fosteredacultureofaccountabilityandperformance.At BergerPaints,sheisnotjustastewardofthebalance sheetsheisastrategistdrivinggrowth,profitability,and long-termsustainability
RedefiningtheCFORolein2025
ThemodernCFOisnolongeraback-officeguardianof books.In2025,theroleisdefinedbystrategy,risk management,regulatorycompliance,andtechnological adaptation.Nkechiembodiesthisevolution.
Sheengagesactivelywithfunctionalheadstohighlight performancegapsanddrivetimelycorrectiveactions. Shekeepsherselfinformedthroughprofessional membershipsandindustrynetworks,ensuringher knowledgeofcompliance,governance,and technologicaltrendsremainscurrent.Justascrucially, sheprioritizespeopledevelopment,mentoringherteam toachievebothorganizationalandpersonalcareergoals.
Forher,theCFOroleisaboutpartnershipwiththeCEO, withtheboard,andwitheveryfunctionofthebusiness. Financeistheanchor,butstrategyisthesail.
PrinciplesandResilience
AttheheartofNkechi'sleadershiparetwocore
principles:qualityandbusinessknowledge.Accuracyin financialdata,sheinsists,isthebedrockofgood decision-making.Equally,anintimateknowledgeofthe businessallowsfinanceprofessionalstospotanomalies, understandcostdrivers,andmakerecommendationsthat trulymatter
Herresilienceisrootedinperspective.Shereminds herselfthatsheisneveralonemanyprofessionalsface similarpressures.Bystayingorganized,prioritizingkey tasks,andkeepingcommunicationchannelsopen,she maintainsfocuseveninhigh-pressuresituations.
MentorshipandGivingBack
Nkechi'ssuccesshasbeenshapedbymentors, particularlyduringhertimeatNigerianBreweries.A structuredmentorshipprogramprovidedherwithclarity, guidance,andaroadmapforcareerprogression.Today, shepaysthatforward.Shementorsyoungprofessionals, encouragesthemtodefinecareerpaths,andchallenges themtodeveloptheskillsandfocusrequiredfor leadership.
Forher,mentorshipisnotjustaboutgivingadviceitis aboutopeningdoors,sharingexperiences,andinstilling confidenceinfuturefinanceleaders.
LessonsfromRiskandVolatility
The2023-nairadevaluationandrisinginflationrates posedoneofthetoughestfinancialrisksofhercareer. Withrawmaterialandenergycostssoaringwhile consumerpurchasingpowerdeclined,pricingstrategies alonewereinsufficient.Instead,shechampioned alternatives:sourcingsubstitutematerials,adjusting productionschedules,andintroducingnewproducts.
Theepisodereinforcedacriticallesson:agilityisnonnegotiable.Intoday'sbusinessenvironment,leaders mustalwayspreparealternativestopivotswiftlywhen circumstanceschange.
AdviceforTomorrow'sCFOs
Forfinanceprofessionalsaspiringtobecomestrategic CFOs,Nkechioffersfiveguidingprinciples: Knowthebusiness—financeleadersmustunderstand
theirindustriesbeyondthenumbers. Buildstrongteams—engaged,motivatedpeopledeliver sustainableresults. Networkandlearn—stayconnectedwithpeers, associations,andindustrytrends. Beatruepartner—workwithfunctionalheads,hold yourselfaccountable,andupholdthehigheststandards. Thinklong-term—buildstrategiesthatdeliveronboth immediateandfuturecompanygoals.
TheLegacyofaStrategicCFO
Intheworldoffinance,fewrolesareaspivotalasthe CFO's.Yetfewleadersmanagetotransformtheroleinto aleverfororganizationalgrowth,resilience,and innovation.NkechiIgbokweOjeyokanhasdonejust that.
Hercareerisablueprintforthefutureoffinancial leadershiprootedinstrongtechnicalexpertise,expanded throughstrategicthinking,andelevatedbypeoplecenteredleadership.AtBergerPaintsNigeriaPlc,sheis provingthattheCFOofthefutureisnotjustanumbers custodianbutastrategist,mentor,andvisionary.
As2025unfolds,Nkechistandsasasymbolofwhat financecanachievewhenitisbold,forward-looking, anddeeplyattunedtothebusinessitserves.Sheis, withoutquestion,oneofthemoststrategicCFOs reshapingtheroleoffinanceinNigeriaandbeyond.
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EssentialPracticesforStrategicCFOLeadership
TheroleoftheChiefFinancialOfficer(CFO)has undergonesignificanttransformationssincethedayswhen itconsistedsolelyofaccountingandreporting. TheChief FinancialOfficersoftodayarestrategicleadersthatassist businessesincopingwitheconomicuncertainty,changesin theirindustries,andsignificantgrowthopportunities. For themtobesuccessful,theyneedtobeexpertsinboth managingmoneyandcommunicatingwithothers. A strategicchieffinancialofficer(CFO)leadershipis comprisedoffivecriticalcomponents.
Haveamentalitythatisfocusedonthefuture
Inadditiontolookingatthepast,astrategicchieffinancial officer(CFO)alsoconsidersthefutureandmakesplansfor avarietyofpotentialoutcomes. Byutilisingadvanced analytics,forecastingtools,andmarketintelligence,they aidfirmsinpreparingforchanges,adjustingquickly,and seizingopportunitiesbeforetheircompetitorsdoso. For ensuringthatfinancialplansareinaccordancewithlongtermobjectivesratherthanonlyshort-termperformance measures,thisforward-lookingmethodisutilised.
Encouragecollaborativeeffortsamongstdifferent departments
Thegreatestchieffinancialofficerscollaboratecloselywith otherleaders,suchaschiefexecutiveofficers,chief operatingofficers,chiefmarketingofficers,anddepartment heads,toensurethatthecompany’sfinancialgoalsarein accordancewiththewaythingsreallyoperate. Theymake surethateverybusinessunitisawareofthefinancial repercussionsofthedecisionsitmakesbyencouraging opencommunicationandtearingdownanysilosthatmay impedecommunication. Asaresultofthiscollaboration, theorganisationisbetterpreparedtocarryoutplansthat interactwithoneanotherandtoreactrapidlytochallenging situations.
Encouragetheadoptionofdigitaltechnologyinthe financialsector
Theuseofautomation,artificialintelligence,andcloudbasedfinancialsystemsissomethingthatstrategicchief financialofficersadvocatefortoexpeditedecision-making, simplifyprocesses,andimprovetheaccuracyofdata.
Theyimplementamorecontemporaryapproachtothe financialfunction,whichfreesupresourcesforstrategic projectswhilealsoensuringthateverythingisopenandin compliancewiththelaw. Additionally,digital transformationprovidesexecutiveswithinformationinreal time,whichenablesthemtomakedecisionsmorequickly andbasedonreal-worldevidence.
Putyourselfatthetopofyourlistintermsofrisk managementandresilience
Inaneconomythatisdifficulttopredictonaglobalscale, strategicchieffinancialofficersmakecertainthatrisk managementisincorporatedintoeachaspectoffinancial planning. Bydiversifyingtheirsourcesofrevenue, businessessafeguardtheircashflowandprepareforwhat theywilldoiftheeconomyexperiencesadownturnorthe marketexperiencesashock. Theysupportthe organization’slong-termstabilitybyadoptingmeasuresto copewithpotentialrisksinadvance,suchasalterationsin rules,issuesinthesupplychain,orcyberassaults.These areallexamplesofpotentialhazards.
TaketheRearwithStrategicPower
Whenitcomestostrategicleadership,chieffinancial officersthatareskilledinthisareadomorethanjustkeep trackofstatistics;theyalsodeveloptrust,communicatea compellingvision,andinfluencestakeholdersatalllevels. Theycantransformcomplexfinancialinformationinto valuablefirminsightsthatassistboardsofdirectors, investors,andemployeesinmakingintelligentdecisions. Becauseoftheirreliabilityasbothfinancialmanagersand strategicpartners,theyaresignificantcontributorstothe developmentofthecompany’sfutureplanning.
Inanutshell,themodernchieffinancialofficerisnotonly accountableforthebalancesheet,buttheyarealso accountablefortheprocessofgrowthandthegenerationof newideas. Becausethecorporateworldisconstantly changing,chieffinancialofficers(CFOs)canleadtheir firmsintheproperdirectionbyfollowingthesefivesteps. Thiswillensurethattheirorganisationsarerobust, profitable,andsuccessfuloverthelongrun.
Thewealthmanagement
industryisundergoinga technologicaltransformation intheyear2025.Artificialintelligence (AI)isemergingasthedrivingforce behindthedevelopmentoffinancial servicesthataremoreintelligent, faster,andmoreindividualised. Artificialintelligence(AI)solutions thatincorporatedataanalytics, automation,andpredictivemodelling aregainingpopularityamongfinancial advisors,investors,andinstitutions. Thesesolutionsarebecoming increasinglypopular.Theusageof thesetoolsallowsfortheopeningof newopportunities.Toinfluencingthe futureofwealthmanagement,the followingartificialintelligencetools areanabsolutenecessity
IntelligentRobo-Advisors
Itisnolongerthecasethatroboadvisorsofthefuturegenerationare limitedtobasicportfolioallocation responsibilities.Tocustomise investmentplansbasedonthe objectivesofaninvestor,thecurrent marketconditions,andareal-timerisk assessment,deeplearningalgorithms arecurrentlybeingincludedinto investmentstrategies.Thisisbeing donetomakethestrategiesmore personalised.Automaticrebalancingof portfolios,optimisationfortax efficiency,andadaptationofstrategies inresponsetochangesineconomic conditionsareallfeaturesthatare offeredbytheseplatforms.
ConversationalAIAssistants
Customerscanaskquestionsin everydaylanguage,suchas“Whatis theperformanceofmyportfoliothis month?”,andreceiveinstantaneous responsesthataretailoredtotheir uniquerequirementsandaredrivenby data.Thisismadepossiblebyfinancial assistantsthatarepoweredbyartificial
intelligence.Thepubliccangainaccesstomorecomplexfinancialinsights becauseofthesesolutions,whichbridgethegapbetweenprofessionaladviceand user-friendlyparticipation.
HolisticFinancialPlanningPlatforms
Usingcontemporaryartificialintelligencetechnology,theprocessesoffinancial planning,retirementplanning,investmentmanagement,andestateadministration areallconsolidatedintoasingleuserinterfaceenvironment.Toprovidedirection fordecision-makingthroughoutone’sentirelife,theyanalysepatternsofspending, offersuggestionsforcustomisedstrategiesforpreservingone’sfinancialresources, andmodelavarietyofalternativefinancialscenarios.Whenitcomestofamiliesor couples,thereareevensomethatallowfortheutilisationofpooledfundsandthe implementationofcollaborativefinancialplanning.
RiskManagement&ComplianceAutomation
Themonitoringofportfoliorisks,theidentificationoftransactionsthatarenot normal,andtheassuringofregulatorycomplianceareallareasinwhichartificial intelligencesolutionsarealreadyplayingakeyrole.Theautomatedalgorithms havethecapabilitytoprocessmassivedatasetsinamatterofseconds,thereby discoveringpotentialissuesbeforetheybecomemoreserious.Wealthmanagers cansafeguardtheirclientswhilesimultaneouslyboostingtheirefficiencyifthey integrateriskassessmentintotheirday-to-dayoperations.
Institutional-GradeAnalytics
Largefinancialinstitutionsareincreasinglyturningtotheusageofartificial intelligenceplatformsthatcanprocessmarketdata,researchreports,andeconomic indicatorsinrealtime.Thistrendisexpectedtocontinue.Inadditiontosupporting advisorsindraughtingclientreportsmorerapidlyandgivingthemwithactionable insights,thesetechnologiesalsonoticedevelopinginvestingtrends,whichfreesup moretimeforadvisorstoengageincustomisedclientengagement.
ReasonsWhyItIsRelevant
Thefieldofwealthmanagementisundergoingachangefromareactiveonetoa predictiveonethroughtheutilisationofartificialintelligence.Althoughthese technologiesprovidespeed,scalability,andprecision,humanunderstandingisstill requiredtoevaluatedata,interpretthefeelingsofcustomers,andmakejudgements thatarespecifictothecircumstanceitisbeingusedto. Ahybridmodel,notably onethatblendsartificialintelligenceforprecisionandefficiencywithhuman judgementfortrustandempathy,willbethewinningformulaintheyear2025. Thisisbecausethehybridmodelwillcombinethetwosetsofcapabilities.
Intheyearstocome,thosewhocanacceptandadapttothesebreakthroughsin artificialintelligencewillbeinthebestpositiontodelivercompetitivewealth managementservicesthatarecentredonthecustomerinaworldoffinancethatis alwaysevolving.Thisisbecausetheworldoffinanceisconstantlyevolving.
