In celebration of International Women’s Day, we spotlight Nkiruka Ajah—a powerhouse in
sales, corporate strategy, communications, and entrepreneurship. With over 15 years of
experience spanning multiple industries, including oil and gas, she has demonstrated consistent
professional growth.
Beyond her nine-to-five as a Special Assistant to the chairman to one of a leading
independent oil-producing company, Nkiru is also the founder of two complimentary business
that cater to different aspects of personal care and lifestyle. Her journey is one of resilience,
strategic growth, and impact, proving that women can excel in both corporate and
entrepreneurial spaces.
In this exclusive interview, she shares her career insights, the power of mentorship, and the
challenges women face in accessing business funding. She also speaks on what AccelerateAction—the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day—means to her and how women can take bold steps toward success.

Kindly introduce yourself: What are you doing, and what did you study in school?

My name is Nkiruka Ajah. I hold an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas, with a
Bsc in psychology from my first degree. Currently, I work a nine-to-five job while also running
two complimentary business that cater to different aspects of personal care and lifestyle. I am
married with 2 adorable children.

So can you tell us what you do at your nine-to-five?

My nine-to-five revolves around sales, corporate strategy, communication, and providing
support to management on special projects. I have about fifteen years of work experience across
various sectors, with a strong focus on oil and gas. Currently, I serve as the specialist assistant to
the chairman of one of Nigeria’s Independent oil-producing companies.

Mrs. Nkiru, can you tell us about your journey thus far? How were you inspired into corporate communications and strategy, and what inspired you to start a lifestyle business?

My background started in sales—mostly networking, meeting people, and building
connections. For me, winning is everything. It could be closing a sale or securing a contract, but
it’s also about making a real impact—on individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. The
ability to communicate the value of a service and get people to buy into it is a win. But even
more, seeing that service creates meaningful change is the ultimate victory. At the core of it all,
it’s about impact and winning—whether it’s selling a product, a service, or an idea.

There's this myth that says women hardly make it in the oil and gas sector. So what challenges have you faced as a woman in the oil and gas sector?

I wouldn’t say, unfortunately—in fact, fortunately—I’m not a technical person. But I’m a
non-technical professional thriving in the oil and gas space. For me, it’s about understanding the
technical aspects of any role and how they apply to day-to-day operations. This isn’t about the
cliché that a man can do, a woman can do better. It’s about applying knowledge effectively, and
there are always resources—books and materials—to help bridge any gaps.
I’m not an engineer, but throughout my career, I’ve been a door opener. My strengths lie in
excellent negotiation and administrative skills—two critical tools that have helped me thrive
efficiently.
More importantly, I believe in the power of effective communication at all levels. Whether I’m
engaging with a CEO, a security officer, or a front desk representative, the key is understanding
their perspective and ensuring the message is delivered clearly and effectively.

How has your personal and professional growth shaped who you are today?

Wow. What I would say is that this journey has taught me resilience and the importance
of diversification. I’ve learned to adapt, embrace challenges, and recognize that both my
corporate and entrepreneurial experiences play a vital role in shaping me. Each aspect
contributes to my overall growth, and that’s what truly matters.

What role has mentorship or community support played in your success?

Mentorship can never be overemphasized—there’s nothing like learning from someone
else’s experience. It has played a huge role in my growth, both in my career and my business.
Beyond that, community is crucial. Connecting with others in the same sector has been
invaluable for business development, sales, networking, and achieving my overall goals. The
right connections provide not just guidance but also encouragement along the journey.
The key is to stay open to learning and remain humble. Know when to ask questions—ask the
right questions—and surround yourself with people who inspire, challenge, and push you toward
success.

This year's theme for International Women's Day is Accelerate Action. What does this mean to you personally?

For me, it’s all about taking charge of every opportunity—without waiting for permission.
It’s about proactively creating the changes I want to see. I believe in taking initiative and making
things happen, both in my career and in my business.

So as an entrepreneur, what urgent actions do you think need to be taken to empower women, upcoming women that want to go into entrepreneurship and start a business?

I’d say one major challenge is the ease of access to funding. Of course, this comes with its
complexities—ensuring that your business is positioned to attract investors or even qualify for
funding in the first place. Beyond that, we also need to foster a stronger culture of support,
mentorship, and community-driven growth.

There's a saying that says that men get more funding than women. Do you think it is right, or does it mean that men get more funding?

It all comes down to positioning yourself and being intentional about your agenda. Like I
mentioned earlier, your business needs to be in the right place to access funding. I don’t believe
funding is about gender—it’s about what you’re offering.
What are you selling? How does your product or service impact the community? What value
does it bring?
Beyond that, are your financials in order? Can you account for your revenue over the past year?
Are you compliant with regulatory requirements in your industry? If you have all these in check,
then you’re in a strong position to access funding—regardless of gender.

If you could go back and give 18-year-old you a piece of advice, what would it be?

For me, it’s about setting achievable, realistic goals and following through on them step
by step. And it’s just as important to revisit those goals—reevaluating which ones still align with
your vision for the next five or ten years. Some may need to be adjusted, pushed forward, or
even dropped, and that’s okay.
Beyond that, maintaining a sense of calm, no matter the situation, is key. A clear and steady
mind allows for strategic thinking and problem-solving. That, for me, is essential to making the
right decisions and finding effective solutions.

What’s a quote or personal mantra you live by?

For me, it’s all about living a happy life—and that happiness starts with you. You can’t
pour from an empty cup, so it’s important to create a life you truly love, in whatever way feels
right for you. That mindset is part of what led me into the lifestyle space—because at the end of
the day, it’s all about intentionally shaping the life you want.

on a scale of 1 to 10, how fulfilled are you in your career?

I’d rate myself an eight. I know I can do better, but I’m grateful for every step I’ve taken

and where I am today. So, I celebrate every milestone—because every achievement, big or small,
is a big deal.