In a celebration that brought together Nigeria’s most respected economists and policymakers, Mrs. Vivian Nkiru Aladi, a seasoned finance and cost engineering professional, was conferred with a Professional Doctorate Award by the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN).
This took place at the 29th Investiture and the 16th PfDs Mandatory Conference held on July 26, 2025, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.
Mrs Aladi’s induction came on the strength of over two decades of high-impact service at Chevron Nigeria Limited, where she has led transformational initiatives in finance, engineering support, and strategic planning, leaving behind evident results, not lip service.
For Mrs Aladi, the fellowship is more than just a professional milestone. “It means a lot to me,” she told Techeconomy in an exclusive post-conferment interview. “It is a recognition of my professional affiliation and contribution to the growth of the energy company in Nigeria, where I’ve worked for over 25 years.”
A Career Built on Integrity and Impact
Mrs Aladi’s journey began with a B.Sc. Ed in Economics in 1992, later complemented by an MBA in Business Administration in 2014. Her early days at Chevron saw her managing critical payment processes and overseeing inter-company reconciliations.
From there, she moved into Finance Controls and eventually assumed the role of Finance Analyst in Joint Venture Support, where she oversaw cash flow operations linked to Nigeria’s 60% equity in Chevron’s joint venture operations.
But it wasn’t until she took on the monumental task of resolving a ₦100 billion debt owed to Chevron by the Nigerian government that her career entered a new phase.
“The climax for me is being able to relate with the government of Nigeria to make sure that there’s cash flow in Chevron… I sat down and recalibrated my algorithm… and I said to myself, ‘I’m going to succeed in this,’” she recalled.
What followed was a painstaking six-month engagement; working across ministries, digging through decades of documentation, building over 50 slides of evidence, and defending Chevron’s position before senior government and corporate officials.
“One by one, they accepted every one of them,” she said. “Even the NNPC were happy with the work and the presentation.”
The result? Full payment of the debt and renewed stability for Chevron’s cash flow, a victory that earned her awards and permanently changed her professional course.
Her portfolio of awards reads like a record of transformative change: NUIMS Special Recognition Award (2017) for cost optimization strategies. Project Excellence Award (2018) for helping secure over $120 million in project funding. Leadership and Innovation Award (2020) for initiatives that led to a $50 million reduction in financial leakages. Strategic Cost Management Award (2023) for a framework that improved budgeting accuracy and transparency across Chevron’s major capital projects.
Leading with Strategy, Delivering with Precision
In 2012, Mrs Vivian Aladi was invited to the Facilities Engineering Department, Chevron’s capital-intensive arm, to take charge of project finances.
“They put it open for everybody to apply… we were over 15 people that applied, and I was selected,” she said. “The second person was a distant second to me.”
That role, meant to be temporary, became permanent. Today, she serves as Lead Advisor, Project Controls and Business Services, a role that sees her driving budget realignments, managing service-level agreements, onboarding engineers, and mentoring a cross-section of the workforce.
“I am a result-oriented person,” she said when asked what drives her impact. “I told myself, I’m going to achieve results that will be seen by everybody. And I mapped out the strategy… one by one, they turned into a pyramid for me.”
One of her most recognised strategies was during the 2020 downturn when she introduced a cost-prioritisation model that recovered $15 million in potential losses.
She has also led initiatives that reduced financial leakages by $50 million and implemented frameworks that improved budgeting accuracy and transparency.
Building Systems and Building People
Beyond financial intelligence, Mrs Aladi is also about mentorship and succession planning.
“When you are at that position, you start to think about succession planning… Who takes over this work? Who does this when you’re not there?” she explained. “You train them, mentor them, and take them through the nitty-gritty of what it takes to have a result-oriented mindset.”
She is an active member of AACE (since 2017) and has hosted knowledge-sharing sessions that bridge gaps between finance, engineering, and compliance. Her efforts to onboard new engineers and guide cross-functional teams have contributed to a more cohesive and future-ready workforce.
Her mentoring efforts have borne fruit.
“Yesterday, we were doing a performance review. I was supposed to still be there. It was because of this event that I told my team to take charge. If I didn’t train anybody, I would not be able to do that.”
Mrs Aladi believes in empowering others to stand on their own, not just as workers but as thinkers and builders of systems.
“I realign funds from underperforming projects to high-performing contracts so that we get optimum results from capital stewardship.”
Advice to the Next Generation
To young women hoping to follow in her path, Vivian is clear-eyed:
“It’s a very good profession, but it takes dedication. It’s not something you cut corners. It’s not something you say, ‘You manufacture figures.’ It’s not going to pay you. Shortcuts will cut you short, and you will not be able to get to your end goal.”
She insists on diligence, order, and documentation—not just to survive but to lead. “If you are not that meticulous, if you are not that organised, it will be difficult for you to survive and succeed in that profession.”
The Honour of Fellowship
Fellowship at ICEN is reserved for professionals whose actions, ethics, and national contributions stand out, and Professional Doctorate Award is even a testament of her tenacity and achievements in the field. It represents the high level of distinction in the Institute and comes only after rigorous vetting. It is not bought; it is earned.
Mrs Aladi met the standards and then some.
The conferment of Professional Doctorate Award on Mrs. Vivian Aladi places her among a select group recognised for direct contributions to economic growth and policy execution.
Fellows are viewed as reference points not only in economics but in leadership and service to humanity.
For Mrs Aladi, the honour reflects a lifetime of walking the talk.
“I really appreciate God for seeing me through all this. I’m married with my lovely husband and my children,” she said, grounding her story in both faith and family.
With Nigeria facing economic challenges, including the dual scourge of unemployment and food insecurity, the theme of this year’s ICEN conference, professionals like Vivian Aladi provide a template for impact built on discipline, courage, and purpose.
Her journey is a national asset and in every role she has held, Mrs. Vivian Nkiru Aladi has brought discipline, foresight, and a collaborative spirit. Whether she is navigating high-stakes financial negotiations or simplifying complex reporting structures, her north star reiterates building resilient, efficient, and forward-looking systems that drive national growth.
Her story is a powerful reminder that dedication, knowledge, and empathy can shape industries and leave a lasting legacy.
