Owen Omogiafo, the President and Group CEO of Transnational Corporation PLC (Transcorp), has described her formative years as the foundation of her success as a woman in leadership.
Speaking to ThisDay Newspapers in commemoration of International Women’s Day, Owen shared how her upbringing with brothers who demanded accountability from her and charged her with equal chores, helped mould her into the woman she is today.
“My brothers protected me fiercely, they also demanded high accountability from me and would ‘reset’ me if I stepped out of line,” she said.
“We were also charged with doing chores, with none reserved for any gender. Thus, my brothers can cook, as I can, and I can also change a tyre as they can!”
Owen, who holds a BSc (Double Honours) in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Benin, an MSc in Human Resource Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and is an alumna of the Lagos Business School and IESE Spain, is the youngest person and first female to have been appointed as both the CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc and the President and Group CEO of Transcorp.
On facing limitations due to her gender, Owen said that she was raised in an environment that did not limit her or her brothers to gender-based roles, and this helped her to be the best she could be without being conscious of her gender.
“I have faced more questions about my age than my gender professionally,” she said.
“Undoubtedly, I have met some people in my professional career who have questioned my abilities due to my gender and my age, but I am happy to say that most have changed their minds when we are engaged. At the end of the day, so long as you are dealing with open-minded people, whatever natural bias they may hold will fade once you prove your competence.”
Owen’s success can be attributed to the grace of God and her preparedness, hunger for success, and value creation.
She also credits her mentors and peers who have played important roles in her life for contributing to her success.
“In life, one must always acknowledge and understand the role of the grace of God in everything that is done, and I am no different,” she said.
“Preparedness, hunger for success, and value creation have propelled me to achieve results in my career journey. From reading GMAT and GRE textbooks as we prepared for entry-level exams to executing my role as President of Transcorp Group, I continue to be guided by these. One definition of luck that I love is preparedness meeting opportunity.”
Owen is not just a successful businesswoman; she is also a wife, a mother, and an enthusiast for wider inclusion.
Her principles of integrity, hard work, respect for the individual, and kindness have contributed to her success.
She is a member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel & Development, UK, the Chartered Institute for Personnel Management, Nigeria, and the Institute of Directors. She is also the Vice President of the Lagos Business School Alumni Association.
Owen’s success story is an inspiration to many young women who aspire to excel in their chosen fields.
