Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, has been appointed to the Board of the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria (UNGCNN), reaffirming her growing influence in Africa’s sustainable development landscape.

The announcement, made via the UNGCNN’s official platforms and shared by the Foundation’s Public Relations Officer, Chiwendu Isaiah, comes ahead of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where Ibekwe will engage with global leaders across government, business, and civil society to deepen partnerships that accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

Her appointment reflects a proven track record of advancing solutions in education, healthcare access, women and youth empowerment. Under her leadership, Sterling One Foundation has established global affiliations and delivered measurable local impact, reaching thousands of beneficiaries while shaping policies and partnerships across Africa.

Experts say her addition to the board comes at a pivotal moment: with only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently on track globally, Africa faces an annual $200 billion financing gap. Beyond funding, progress requires political will, bold private sector action, and effective cross-sector collaboration.

Reacting to the development, Ibekwe described the role as “an opportunity to further strengthen the localisation of the SDGs,” a mission she has consistently championed through the Sterling One Foundation.

The move also aligns with the UN Global Compact Principles and reinforces synergies with the African Union’s Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI) 2030 initiative — both of which prioritise inclusive growth and responsible private sector engagement.

Observers note that the appointment highlights the significance of convenings like the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS), where Ibekwe has been instrumental in mobilising governments, businesses, and civil society to forge partnerships that unlock Africa’s potential.

With this new role, she brings grassroots experience and continental insights to global conversations — underscoring Africa’s position not just as a recipient of aid, but as a driver of innovation and solutions for sustainable development.

The UN Global Compact Network Nigeria is the local chapter of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, mobilising businesses and organisations to align with universal principles and advance the SDGs.