Ada Osakwe is a Nigerian economist, investor, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience across global finance, public service, and business. She’s the Founder & CEO of Agrolay Ventures and the creator of Nuli, a healthy food brand that sources directly from local farmers.
Today, Ada sits on six influential boards where she brings her expertise in strategy, finance, and execution. She serves on the board of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) as the youngest and only female director and chairs its Finance and Investment Committee. She’s also a board member at AGRA, One Acre Fund, Factor[e] Ventures, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), and Infinite Foods. How was she able to get here?
As Ada Osakwe currently sits on six (6) local and international Boards as a Non-Executive Director, one (1) Investment Committee, and has one (1) strategic advisory engagement.
Achieving this wasn’t easy, but Ada Osakwe did it. Here are five essential things she shared that have helped her thrive and embrace possibility:
She Built Credibility Early
With over two decades of experience across investment banking, development finance, private equity, public service, and entrepreneurship, Ada developed a unique blend of public-private expertise. Her industry focus in agribusiness and food systems became a defining advantage, particularly during her tenure as Senior Advisor to Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. Through this role, she helped shape national food systems investments, showcasing her capabilities on global platforms. It came as no surprise that her first board appointment came through referrals, from people who had worked with her closely and seen her technical brilliance firsthand.
She Demonstrated Her Worth Behind Closed Doors
Ada’s board invitations weren’t the result of flashy social media campaigns, they came from a strong reputation for delivering results. As she puts it, “Behind closed doors, people talk, and what they say isn’t based on what they’ve seen online. It’s based on your reputation for getting things done.” She’s known for her strategic insight, critical thinking, and the courage to ask hard questions. More importantly, she brings humility to the table, willing to acknowledge mistakes and open to continuous learning.
She Built a Reputation for Strategic Prowess and Integrity
Ada is known for approaching every board role with a sense of care and responsibility. Her leadership is grounded in data, due process, and values. Over the years, her consistency in thought and action has become her professional signature. She is known to challenge fellow board members and management teams to “use her” , underscoring her commitment to making meaningful contributions, not just filling a seat.
She Built from the Ground Up
Ada’s entrepreneurial venture, Nuli, wasn’t born out of passion, it was born out of a need. She identified a gap in the market for healthy, locally sourced food options and committed to building a solution. From navigating regulations to managing teams and sustaining operations during tough seasons, she gained firsthand experience as a business operator. This operational lens gives her a unique perspective at the board level, insight that comes from walking the talk daily. It’s one of the reasons her voice is deeply respected in every boardroom she joins.
She Invested in Coaching and Mentorship
Ada speaks candidly about battling imposter syndrome as a young woman in leadership. What made the difference? A transformational executive coach who helped her own her voice and show up confidently and authentically in every room she entered. While that confidence may have unsettled some, it also made the right people pay attention. Ada also credits senior board members and mentors, those who provided guidance, shared feedback, and led by example, for helping sharpen her leadership edge.
In Conclusion, She offered valuable guidance to young female professionals seeking board opportunities, emphasizing the following points:
Building relationships rooted in respect and reciprocity.
Doing the work, with a focus on excellence.
Staying prepared for when the opportunity arises.
Showing up with authenticity and confidence.
And most importantly, to stop waiting for permission and claim their spaces.
