Our Woman Crush Wednesday, Zainab Aliyu is one of a kind – successfully navigating the distinct worlds of the creative sector and the extractive sector. She has a 15-year working experience overseeing the finances of companies in the extractive sector, predominantly in oil and gas and in mining, and across five continents. She is also at the helm of affairs of the luxury leather brand AABOUX as the CEO & Creative Director, which she founded in 2017.
A qualified fellow of the UK Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA), Zainab also has a bachelor’s degree in industrial economics with insurance from the University of Nottingham. She also holds a master’s degree in corporate strategy and governance from Nottingham University Business School.
Zainab worked at KPMG Nigeria where she focused on business advisory, moved on to Phillips, Kobbs & Co, London where she worked as an accountant, and then spent four years at Deloitte UK serving clients in the energy industry as well as in risk and assurance. She proceeded to Baker Hughes UK and handled internal audit, risk and compliance projects for companies spread across the global. And till 2020, she worked as a financial controller for a Nigerian oil and gas company.
Through AABOUX, Zainab is on a mission to showcase the craft and quality of African luxury leather goods. The brand creates statement pieces with its stitch-less technique using ethically sourced leathers.
Zainab is involved in worthwhile causes centred around education, healthcare, children, women, internally displaced persons, and mental health. When she is not working, she finds pleasure discovering the world through travelling, reading, and keeping up to date with current affairs.
This Wednesday, Pride Magazine Nigeria celebrates Zainab as our Woman Crush for her desire to change the global narrative on African entrepreneurship and products.