Audrey Joe-Ezigbo: A dependable leader in the transformation of SMEs to large multinationals

It is worthy of giving special recognition to one of the top players today in Africa’s Energy sector as a dependable Chief Executive Officer who utilised her intelligence, dedication to research, zero tolerance for corporate governance infractions and belief in collaboration to drive Falcon Corporation from obscurity, with little or no track record in 1994 as a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) to a large multinational by 2023. She is known to be consistent and non-partisan. Hence, our Special focus this week is on Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, the Deputy Managing Director of Falcon Corporation Limited, a company she co-founded with her husband in 1994. Our search for dependable CEOs at a time of several failed contracts made her the choice of our Economic Intelligence Committee. Her role in driving the company’s growth through active engagement and operation in a sector with male professional dominance informed this.

Today, coming across the achievements recorded by Mrs Joe-Ezigbo, the endorsement by Nigerian NewsDirect of this uncommon achiever will help other boardroom leaders firmly believe in the strength of women. It will also confirm that gender is no longer a limitation. We can confidently say that what a man can do, a woman can do better.

Our choice of a woman with an outstanding leadership record across all sectors as a Dependable CEO this month remains unbeatable. Therefore, our selection of Mrs Joe-Ezigbo, the Deputy Managing Director and a Shareholder of Falcon Corporation (a leading, wholly indigenous midstream and downstream Energy, Gas Distribution, and Trading company) shows that women are not just kitchen managers but active business managers.

Audrey, a Dependable leader, serves as Deputy Managing Director,  with principal accountabilities in Finance, Business Development, and Commercial Strategy at Falcon Corporation Limited.

Since 1994, Mrs Joe-Ezigbo has been instrumental in successfully growing the company from minor oil services contracting to a significant player in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry as a licensed distributor of Natural Gas and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in dedicated distribution zones with annual revenues of several billions of Naira currently.

Audrey is an accomplished professional with several Master’s degrees in Finance, Marketing and Business Administration from the Lagos Business School, University of Nigeria, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University. She also holds several executive certifications in Management, Leadership and Governance from Harvard Business School, IE Business School, and the WIMBOARD Institute.

She also served as the immediate past President (2018-2021) of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) – the umbrella association and voice for businesses and professionals involved in the Nigerian Gas industry. She is the first woman to have occupied the position of NGA President in the Association’s 24-year history.

Audrey is a seasoned energy expert Fellow of the Energy Institute UK (FEI), the global body for energy experts. She is the Vice Chair of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria’s Energy & Power committee. She is a founding member of the Women in Energy Network (WiEN), a member and global role model for the Women in LPG (WiNLPG) Nigeria chapter, and a member of the Nigeria Content Development; Monitoring Board (NCDMB) NCCF Diversity Sectoral Working Group.

An experienced leader, advisor and coach, she has 29 years proven track record and deep expertise in Strategic Planning and Execution, Corporate Governance, Investor relations (Finance and Fundraising), Entrepreneurship Development and a vast experience across executive and Board levels.

She is passionate about entrepreneurship in Africa and committed to actualising the potential of SMEs to become large corporates or multinationals. Mrs Joe-Ezigbo is committed to building African institutions that can survive and scale sustainably and developing leaders and managers for these organisations who are global in their thinking and networks.

She was recognised as one of the Leading Ladies Africa 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria 2019, listed on the 2021 PowerWoman 100 list in the Oil; Gas category, and recognised as one of the top 100 Outstanding Female Executives in the African Oil and Gas Industry 2021.

A lover of academics and a firm believer in personal development, Audrey holds several Master’s degrees and executive certifications in Finance, Marketing, Business Administration, and Leadership from, amongst others, the University of Nigeria and the prestigious Lagos Business School and Harvard Business School. She is a dynamic Speaker, a Facilitator and a highly experienced Trainer on various facets of management, entrepreneurship, and business strategy.

Falcon Corporation Limited has received several recognitions and awards over the years for the company’s role in facilitating the commercial and industrial exploitation of the abundant reserves of Natural Gas on the domestic front in Nigeria. Falcon Corporation is a leading, privately held, wholly indigenous company which today has a diverse portfolio of prime investments in Oil & Gas, Energy & Infrastructure, Real Estate & Construction.

Audrey is also the Managing Director of Optimera Energy, an integrated energy solutions provider. Optimera Energy is a consortium comprising Falcon Corporation Limited, FHN Gas Limited, and ND Western Midstream Limited (the “Consortium”). The Consortium was formed in 2022 to play a significant part in Nigeria’s energy transition, focusing on developing and executing gas distribution.

Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezigbo is the chairperson and a member of several corporations’ Boards. She has served for several years in different capacities on the Executive Council of the Nigerian Gas Association, the umbrella association for professionals and businesses involved in the Nigerian gas industry.

Audrey gives herself in service to society, humanity and womenfolk in particular through various avenues, including her roles as Co-Founder and Member of the Board of Advisors Woman Act Now (WAN) Nigeria Chapter, a non-profit organisation set up to provide affordable mentoring and coaching to women, thereby helping them to live, learn and launch their dreams. She is a member of the International Women’s Society (IWS), a non-profit socio-philanthropic society committed to improving the lives and culture of women worldwide. Audrey served on the Executive Committee of IWS as the Programs Secretary until November 2013, receiving an award for exemplary service during her stay in office. She is also a member of Women in Management, Business & Public Service (WIMBIZ), a non-profit professional association with the mandate to act as the catalyst to elevate the profile and empower women in these areas.

In 29 years, Falcon (and the Falcon brand) has become a multiple award-winning, wholly indigenous mid- and downstream Energy, Natural Gas Distribution and LPG Trading company in Africa, enabling the deployment of Natural Gas and LPG as drivers of economic growth and industrialisation.

Her entrepreneurial and industry expertise have made her receive many prestigious awards, recognitions and appointments, such as:

• Recognised as one of LLA’s 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria 2023 (The Enterprise Edition)
• ABCD Africa 50 Most Impactful Voices (African Women Using Their Voices and& Digital Content as A Tool for Change) 2023
• Lagos Business School Distinguished Alumni Award 2018
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year West Africa Award 2014
• Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 Award
• Listed on the 2021 Power Woman 100 list in the Oil & Gas category
• Recognised among the 100 Outstanding Female Executives in the African Oil & Gas Industry 2021
• Recognised as one of 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria 2019 by Leading Ladies Africa
• Appointed Advisory Board Member, Lagos Business School, PAU
• Appointed Advisory Board Member, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) – PAU
• 1st female President, Nigerian Gas Association (NGA)
• Fellow, Energy Institute
• Founding Member, Women in Energy Network (WiEN)
• Member & Global Role Model, Women in LPG (WiNLPG) Nigeria
• Member, NCDMB NCCF Diversity Sectoral Working Group
• Served as Member WIMBIZ Executive Council; Chair, Wimbiz Capital (WIMCAP) and Membership & Programs Committees

She has a clear mandate to help entrepreneurs build sustainable legacy businesses across Africa and help individuals unleash their most impactful and profitable expressions. She is the Founder of the Double Impact Platform, a business training and relationship-building institution for Entrepreneurial Couples in business together, helping them build sustainable businesses. She is referred to as THE IMPACTONAIRE.

An encourager by nature, Audrey’s mission is to add value to the lives of everyone she meets. She is particularly passionate about mentoring early-stage and growth-phase entrepreneurs towards moving their lives and business potentials to greater heights of achievement. She, therefore, gives of her time freely in service as a mentor on the formal Mentoring programs of Lagos Business School (LBS), Women in Management, Business & Public Service WIMBIZ, Apostles in the Market Place (AiMP), and on the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!) women’s enterprise development & mentoring program. Also included is her on-air appearance on Fidelity Bank Plc’s weekly Fidelity SME Forum radio programme. In addition to the above, she is a Certified Transformational Coach, a member of the International Coaching Federation, and the author of four books.

Audrey Joe-Ezigbo is very happily married to Joe – her business partner and husband. Audrey and Joe are blessed with four exceptional children.