Dr Mrs. Patience Dappa, Group Chief Executive Officer of Masters Energy Group, has been named Female Business Leader of the Year in recognition of her exceptional leadership, corporate acumen, and transformative impact on one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous conglomerates. Her emergence reflects decades of professional excellence and a remarkable record of steering complex organizations toward sustainable growth.
A seasoned legal practitioner and corporate strategist, Dr. Barr. Mrs. Dappa brings over 30 years of professional experience to the boardroom, with more than 15 years of dedicated service within the Masters Energy Group. Over the years, she has occupied several strategic leadership positions including Group Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Group Head of Human Resources, and Group Chief Operating Officer. These roles positioned her at the heart of the company’s governance, people management, and operational execution.
In 2019, following the resignation of the company’s President and Founder, Dr. Sampson Uche Ogah, to pursue public service and his subsequent ministerial appointment, Barr. Mrs. Dappa was appointed Acting Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Her performance during this transitional period was widely adjudged outstanding, leading to her confirmation as the substantive Group Managing Director and CEO. Under her stewardship, the company recorded stability, renewed investor confidence, and a clear strategic direction.
Since Dr. Ogah’s return to the company after his ministerial service, Dappa has remained a central pillar of the leadership team, working closely with management to drive bold investment decisions and expansion initiatives. Over the past two years, Masters Energy Group has embarked on deliberate repositioning aimed at deepening market presence, diversifying product offerings, forging strategic partnerships, and achieving accelerated revenue growth. This renewed drive has resulted in enhanced operations as well as the introduction of new products and services across its business lines.
Widely praised for her strategic foresight, Dr. Mrs. Dappa has demonstrated uncommon resilience in navigating complex business environments. Her leadership style is defined by clarity of purpose, operational discipline, and an unyielding commitment to integrity. As Chairman of JUHI 2, she continues to provide visionary leadership marked by prudent decision making and long term value creation.
Beyond the boardroom, Barr. Mrs. Dappa is deeply committed to continuous learning and leadership development. She has attended executive education and leadership programmes at globally respected institutions including the Saïd Business School of the University of Oxford, Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in Canada, and Lagos Business School. These exposures have strengthened her global perspective and sharpened her leadership effectiveness.
Her professional standing is further reinforced by her affiliations. She is a Chartered Arbitrator and member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in the United Kingdom, a member of the Chartered Institute of Directors, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management Administration. These credentials reflect her depth in governance, dispute resolution, and financial management.
In a glowing tribute, industry observers describe Dr. Mrs. Patience Dappa as a disciplined, inspirational, and results driven leader whose calm strength and intellectual depth have restored confidence and momentum to Masters Energy Group. Her ability to empower teams, manage transitions, and convert challenges into opportunities has earned her widespread respect across the private sector.
Her nomination as The Top10 Magazine’s Female Business Leader of the Year stands as recognition of her pivotal role in turning around the fortunes of Masters Energy Group after a challenging period, and for strategically repositioning the company as a strong and relevant player in the Nigerian economy.
