Winner of the Women in Finance Outstanding Leadership Award
The lights had barely dimmed on the grand hall of the TechQuest International Conference 2023 when applause filled the air, echoing the spirit of excellence that defines the annual event. Among the distinguished professionals celebrated that evening, one name stood out: Ms. Adaobu Amini-Philips, a finance leader whose career has been marked by precision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to transparency in corporate governance.
As the cameras flashed and colleagues gathered to congratulate her, Ms. Amini-Philips took the stage to receive the Women in Finance Outstanding Leadership Award, an honor that underscored not just her technical expertise but also the quiet strength that has shaped her journey across the Nigerian corporate landscape.
The TechQuest International Awards, hosted during the annual conference, are designed to recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify innovation, excellence, and transformative leadership across industries. Each year, professionals from finance, energy, technology, and sustainability gather under one roof to exchange ideas, celebrate achievement, and envision a future powered by ingenuity. The 2023 edition, themed “Sustainable Innovation for the Next Decade,” placed a special spotlight on professionals advancing transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership, values that have defined Adaobu’s professional life.
With over 15 years of combined experience in Financial Reporting, Contracts, and Procurement, Adaobu’s journey is one of discipline and service. Her role at the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), one of Africa’s most respected energy corporations, has been a masterclass in operational excellence and responsible finance. From leading the company’s revenue accounting and reporting operations to pioneering sustainability initiatives that align finance with decarbonization, she has proven that leadership is not just about figures on a balance sheet, but about people, purpose, and principles.
Her story is that of a woman who has navigated complex corporate structures, championed financial integrity, and bridged the gap between operational performance and sustainability. It is also a reminder that the future of Africa’s energy economy will depend not just on innovation in technology, but also on innovation in governance.
Following the awards ceremony, TechQuest Media sat down with Ms. Amini-Philips for an exclusive conversation about her win, her journey, and her vision for the evolving role of finance in Africa’s energy transition.
Exclusive Interview with Ms. Adaobu Amini-Philips
Winner, Women in Finance Outstanding Leadership Award, TechQuest International Conference 2023
Q1: Congratulations on winning the Women in Finance Outstanding Leadership Award at the TechQuest International Conference 2023. What does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?
Adaobu Amini-Philips: Thank you. Receiving this award is truly humbling. Personally, it represents a moment of reflection, a reminder of the years spent learning, evolving, and contributing to systems that value accountability and transparency. Professionally, it validates the philosophy that has guided my career: that finance is not merely about managing numbers, but about enabling value creation, protecting integrity, and driving sustainable outcomes.
When I began my career, I didn’t imagine that one day my work would be recognized on such an international platform. My approach has always been rooted in diligence and consistency, ensuring that every financial process I touch reflects credibility. This award acknowledges the efforts of many people who have influenced my journey: mentors, colleagues, and teams who share a belief that excellence must always be intentional.
At NLNG, the finance and procurement functions are more than administrative roles; they are the backbone of the company’s governance and commercial structure. Winning this award feels like a shared victory with the exceptional professionals I work alongside daily. It reminds me that the finance function is no longer a backstage operation; it is central to organizational vision and sustainability.
Beyond recognition, I see this award as a call to do more. It reaffirms my commitment to mentoring young professionals, particularly women, to pursue careers in finance with confidence and integrity. In a world that often underestimates the value of ethical leadership, this recognition from TechQuest reinforces why I must continue to advocate for structures that align financial growth with responsible governance.
Q2: You’ve built an impressive career that spans over 15 years in finance, contracts, and procurement. Could you walk us through the pivotal moments that defined your journey to leadership?
Adaobu Amini-Philips: My journey began, quite simply, with curiosity. I have always been fascinated by how organizations translate resources into value, how decisions made in boardrooms ripple through entire economies. After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Port Harcourt, I joined the Office of the Accountant General in Kogi State and later Oceanic Bank, where I gained foundational experience in financial operations. Those early years were important because they taught me discipline and accountability, two values that have guided every professional decision I’ve made.
My transition to NLNG in 2008 marked a turning point. I began as a Buyer in the Contracts & Procurement department, where I managed procurement for the corporate head office. It was a rigorous and eye-opening experience. Ensuring transparency and competitiveness in vendor selection taught me how integrity in process directly impacts a company’s reputation. I learned that the procurement function is not just about sourcing goods or services; it is about protecting the organization from reputational and financial risks.
After several years in procurement, I transitioned to Financial Reporting and Control in 2015. That shift was both challenging and rewarding. Suddenly, I was responsible for preparing company financial statements, and ensuring alignment with international accounting standards. I began to appreciate how every figure tells a story, not just of performance but of purpose and direction.
The most defining moment came when I was appointed Head of Revenue Accounting and Secondee Finance in 2019. It was a position that demanded precision and foresight. I was responsible for the timely accounting of company revenues, management reporting, and ensuring compliance with international standards. Leading that team taught me that leadership is not about authority; it’s about clarity. It’s about setting systems that work even when you’re not in the room.
Every stage of my journey built on the last. Procurement sharpened my negotiation and ethical discipline, reporting honed my analytical judgment, and revenue management strengthened my strategic foresight. Together, they shaped me into a finance professional who values both the numbers and the narratives behind them.
Q3: Your work at NLNG reflects a blend of strategic finance and operational excellence. What were some of the most challenging yet rewarding projects you’ve led, particularly in financial reporting and revenue control?
Adaobu Amini-Philips: The most rewarding projects are often the most demanding. At NLNG, I have had the privilege of working on initiatives that required balancing strategic vision with operational precision. One of the key challenges was ensuring billing alignment with our shareholding companies. It might sound straightforward, but achieving full synchronization across such a complex corporate structure required a deep understanding of operational dynamics, diplomacy, and technical accuracy.
That project demanded more than accounting expertise; it required communication, relationship management, and trust-building. By streamlining billing and receivables, we enhanced transparency and revenue predictability, which are critical for long-term financial health. It was one of those experiences that reminded me how financial systems succeed when they are both accurate and trusted.
Another defining project was the seamless financial closure process we achieved over several years. We improved reporting accuracy and timeliness, ensuring that management had reliable data for decision-making. This involved integrating new internal control measures and enhancing cross-departmental collaboration. The reward was not just in the improved financial statements but in the trust it built across the organization.
In financial control, small details matter. A misplaced figure can distort the larger narrative, so I built a culture where every member of the team understood the weight of their contribution. As head of revenue accounting, I introduced policies to continuously improve performance, focusing on accountability, innovation, and professional development.
What makes these achievements meaningful is their impact. When your work enables leadership to make informed decisions, or when your systems reduce risk and improve compliance, you know you’re not just balancing books; you’re shaping the organization’s future. Those are the moments I find truly rewarding.
Q4: We understand you played a key role in the company’s decarbonization efforts and the creation of the finance workstream for Net Zero targets. How did you approach linking financial governance to sustainability goals?
Adaobu Amini-Philips: That initiative was one of the most transformative experiences of my career. The conversation around Net Zero and sustainability is often driven by engineers and scientists, but finance plays a crucial role in making those ambitions achievable. When NLNG began articulating its decarbonization goals, it was clear that financial governance had to evolve to support the transition.
I was part of the pioneering team that created the finance workstream dedicated to supporting the company’s Net Zero strategy. Our task was to translate environmental objectives into measurable financial frameworks, identifying how sustainability could be embedded into budgeting, reporting, and investment decisions.
We started by assessing existing financial structures to determine how they could support ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives. Then we introduced methods for quantifying sustainability performance, allowing the company to track both environmental impact and financial return. Essentially, we ensured that sustainability wasn’t treated as a separate concept but as an integral part of our financial decision-making process.
The most rewarding aspect was laying the foundation for ESG reporting within our finance division. We recognized that the world is moving toward value beyond profit. Stakeholders now demand to know how companies contribute to the planet and society. Through this workstream, we provided that accountability.
This project reaffirmed my belief that finance professionals must be at the center of the sustainability conversation. The transition to a low-carbon economy cannot happen without financial clarity. It’s not just about allocating funds but about redefining how value is measured. I see that as the future of finance, a discipline that sustains profitability while preserving the planet.
Q5: As a woman in finance leadership, how have you navigated the challenges of representation and inspired the next generation of professionals in your sector?
Adaobu Amini-Philips: Representation matters profoundly. When I began my career, there were fewer women in senior finance roles, particularly in the energy sector. The landscape has improved, but there is still work to do. Navigating this space has required resilience, self-belief, and an understanding that competence is the most powerful argument.
I have faced the same challenges many women encounter: balancing visibility with humility, authority with empathy. What kept me grounded was focusing on the work. Excellence has a voice that cannot be ignored. When people see consistent quality, gender becomes secondary to performance.
I also believe leadership should be inclusive. As a leader, I create spaces where everyone, especially young women, feels seen and heard. I mentor colleagues by sharing both successes and failures because I believe growth comes from honest reflection. Many of the people I’ve mentored have gone on to lead their own teams, and that gives me immense joy.
I tell young women that they do not have to conform to outdated stereotypes to lead effectively. You can be firm without being harsh, strategic without being detached, and ambitious without losing your authenticity. The real challenge is not breaking glass ceilings; it’s making sure the next generation doesn’t see any ceiling at all.
Initiatives like the TechQuest Awards are vital because they amplify stories of women who are leading change. Each recognition sends a message that women’s contributions to finance, technology, and governance are indispensable. I hope my journey encourages more women to step forward, to claim space, and to lead with confidence.
Q6: Looking ahead, what are your thoughts on the evolving role of finance in driving corporate sustainability and innovation across Africa’s energy sector?
Adaobu Amini-Philips: The future of finance in Africa is inseparable from the future of sustainability. We are entering an era where financial leadership will determine how effectively companies adapt to global transitions, from digital transformation to the green economy. In the energy sector, this shift is particularly critical.
Finance professionals must now think beyond balance sheets. We have to anticipate market disruptions, regulatory reforms, and societal expectations. The question is no longer just “How much profit did we make?” but “How responsibly did we make it?” That change in perspective is redefining what financial success looks like.
Africa has a unique opportunity to leapfrog into sustainable growth if we align financial governance with innovation. At NLNG, we’ve seen firsthand how integrating sustainability into financial planning improves both efficiency and reputation. Investors are paying closer attention to ESG metrics; therefore, companies that embed sustainability into their financial DNA will attract long-term capital and trust.
Another aspect is digitalization. The finance function is becoming more data-driven. Predictive analytics, automation, and AI are transforming how we plan and report. This is where innovation meets sustainability, by using technology to make financial operations smarter and more transparent.
My vision for the next decade is a finance ecosystem that supports inclusive growth. One where professionals see themselves as custodians of both capital and conscience. I believe African finance leaders will be instrumental in redefining what responsible capitalism looks like. We will be the bridge between innovation and impact.
Conclusion
As the evening drew to a close at the TechQuest International Conference 2023, Ms. Adaobu Amini-Philips’ calm yet commanding presence reflected the values she has championed throughout her career: integrity, precision, and purpose. Her journey from procurement halls to executive boardrooms tells a story of persistence, excellence, and transformation.
Her work at NLNG continues to shape the intersection between finance and sustainability, proving that leadership grounded in accountability can redefine an entire sector. The Women in Finance Outstanding Leadership Award is not merely a recognition of her achievements; it is a celebration of what principled leadership looks like in practice.
As TechQuest prepares for its 2024 edition, the call goes out once again to innovators, professionals, and changemakers across Africa to step forward, to share their stories, showcase their impact, and contribute to the continent’s growing legacy of excellence. Because, as Adaobu’s story reminds us, leadership is not a destination; it is a lifelong pursuit of value, vision, and virtue.
