Nigerian-born technology executive, Obiageli Obii Okafor, has made history after becoming the first African woman to receive the Women in Telecoms Champion Award at the Comms Council UK Awards 2026 in recognition of her contributions to the United Kingdom’s telecommunications industry.
The award celebrates women whose work has advanced innovation, leadership and sustainable growth within the UK’s telecoms sector, marking another milestone in Okafor’s professional journey from Nigeria to the global technology landscape.
Okafor currently serves as a senior product manager at 8×8 and is also the founder of PMHelp, a non-profit organisation that supports professionals seeking careers in technology.
Through mentoring initiatives, educational programmes and career development opportunities, PMHelp has assisted more than 52,000 individuals across over 70 countries.
Speaking after receiving the award in London, Okafor described the recognition as unexpected, saying she only knew she had been nominated by colleagues.
“I was genuinely shocked. My first thought wasn’t that I had won an award. It was gratitude,” she said.
“I thought about everyone who believed in me from my family and close friends to my colleagues at 8×8 and the PMHelp community. Then I thought about the younger version of myself in Nigeria who could never have imagined standing on a stage in London receiving recognition from an entire industry.”
She explained that she only discovered she had become the first African recipient of the award after receiving a congratulatory phone call from a friend.
“I felt deeply humbled. Being the first African to receive this recognition means our people now know there are no barriers stopping us from achieving what we want. I hope it sends a message that talent has no borders and that African women belong in every room where technology is being built and decisions are being made,” she said.
Before relocating to the United Kingdom, Okafor built a diverse career that included working as a poet, shoemaker and product manager, leading technology products and partnerships in both Nigeria and Dubai.
She, however, said establishing herself in the UK technology sector came with significant challenges after relocating.
According to her, repeated job rejections forced her to take up three different jobs while striving to secure opportunities within the industry.
“There were moments when I wondered if leaving home had been a mistake. My confidence slowly disappeared, but I decided I wouldn’t allow relocating to define the ceiling of my career,” she said.
Rather than abandon her ambitions, Okafor said she focused on improving her skills, strengthening her professional profile and expanding her network, efforts that eventually opened doors to leadership positions in telecommunications.
She added that those experiences inspired the creation of PMHelp to provide free career guidance and support for aspiring technology professionals, particularly those facing similar obstacles.
Speaking on gender inclusion, Okafor stressed that women should not only be represented within organisations but also occupy strategic leadership positions where they can influence business decisions.
“Representation isn’t just about having women in the room. It’s about ensuring they’re leading products, influencing revenue, shaping strategy and making decisions that define the future of the business. Leadership shouldn’t just be symbolic; it has to be operational,” she said.
According to figures cited by techUK, women account for fewer than 20 per cent of the UK’s telecommunications workforce, while an even smaller proportion occupy senior leadership positions.
The latest recognition adds to Okafor’s growing list of honours, including TechWomen100 Winner, She Inspires Awards Winner for Women in Digital Innovation and Communication, She Inspires 100 Female Impact Leaders UK, Brummell 30 Rising Stars of London and 50 Women Tech Titans Nigeria.
Encouraging young African women interested in careers in technology and telecommunications, Okafor urged them to pursue their ambitions with confidence and determination.
“Don’t wait for permission to belong. Build your skills, own your voice and walk into every room knowing you deserve to be there. Action breeds confidence, so act.”
