Our Woman Crush Wednesday, Chinenye Uwanaka is a dedicated nation-builder driven by a true passion for empowering people and combating extreme poverty and injustice. Aligned with her purpose, she has established a brand and businesses aimed at generating wealth and elevating individuals, particularly youths, out of poverty.
As the Founder and Managing Partner of The Firma Advisory, a boutique law and consulting firm based in Nigeria, Chinenye serves clients across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and America. The firm specialises in energy law, information technology, and intellectual property.
Chinenye is not just a business leader but also an international speaker and instructor. She has organised and moderated numerous stakeholder engagements, conferences, and webinars, engaging with government agencies, policymakers, world-renowned experts, international development organisations, donors, economists, entertainers, and leaders from the technology and creative industries.
Beyond her legal and consulting endeavours, Chinenye actively participates in the board of Hotspot Network Limited, a connectivity company known for its cutting-edge wireless and cabling network engineering solutions across Africa. Additionally, she contributes to the advisory committee for the $5 million Nigerian Youth Futures Fund, supported by the Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation. She also serves as a board member for D & D Media and TAP Initiative.
With her Harvard training in policy implementation, Chinenye is the Convener of the Africa Policy Conversations Initiative (AFPC). AFPC is a Pan-African group of intellectual professionals committed to revolutionizing policies benefiting for Africans living in the continent and in the diaspora. The initiative collaborates with organisations like the World Bank and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
Chinenye plays a pivotal role as the Thematic Lead for Innovation and Intellectual Property within the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER). This initiative fosters collaboration between the legislative and executive branches of the Nigerian government under the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
Her influence extends globally, as she collaborates with Access Partnership, a leading policy and research consulting firm, on tech policy initiatives for countries worldwide.
Chinenye also serves as the Head of the Fundraising Committee for the Nigerian Bar Association Women’s Forum and co-convenes the Lawyers for Creative Initiative, an organisation focused on devising efficient services to the creative industry.
Chinenye has received several accolades, including a Social Impact Award from Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo of Nigeria for her contributions to improving access to justice and providing pro bono legal aid. She has been nominated for the Outstanding CEO award by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and has received the ESQ 40 under 40 Nigerian Rising Star Award. The UK Ministry of Justice recognised her as a legal trailblazer, and she was also recognised by the Nigeria Digital Economy Summit as Innovative Female Founder.
Pride Magazine Nigeria is impressed with Chinenye’s achievements and how she serves as an inspiration to other females; no wonder she is a worthy Woman Crush Wednesday.