Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Nigerian-born technology leader, Obiageli Obii Okafor, has made history by becoming the first African woman to win the prestigious Women in Telecoms Champion award at the Comms Council UK Awards 2026, a landmark recognition for outstanding contributions to the United Kingdom’s telecommunications industry.
The award celebrates women driving innovation, leadership, and lasting impact across the UK’s telecoms sector, and marks another milestone in Okafor’s remarkable journey from Nigeria to the global technology stage.
A Senior Product Manager at 8×8, Okafor also founded PMHelp, a non-profit organisation that has empowered more than 52,000 professionals across over 70 countries through mentoring, education and career development initiatives aimed at helping people build successful careers in technology.
Speaking after receiving the award in London, Okafor said she was overwhelmed by the recognition, having only known that she had been nominated by her colleagues.
