Dolapo Oshiegbu | Operations Manager at Diageo IBC | 16+ Years Leading Supply Chain Excellence | Advocate for Women in STEM | 2025 Top 20 Women Leaders | Committed to Sustainability & Team Development
From the brewery floor in Lagos to global leadership in Belfast, Dolapo Oshiegbu’s story is one of resilience, vision, and servant leadership. With over 16 years of experience in supply chain and manufacturing excellence, she has not only mastered operations but also inspired communities, women in STEM, and future leaders to believe that ambition and purpose can coexist.
Early Beginnings: A Foundation in Education and Resilience
Dolapo’s journey began in Nigeria, where her love for learning flourished at Lantana Private School and later the International School at the University of Ibadan. Her brilliance was recognized early when she received a Certificate of Merit from the National Mathematical Centre in Abuja for outstanding performance in a national mathematics competition.
Life at home was not without challenges, her parents’ resilience and belief in education laid the groundwork for her pursuit of Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, where she graduated with Second Class Upper Division honors. Looking back, Dolapo reflects:
“Have fun whilst you work hard, less you miss the important moments.”
This mix of determination and joy became the cornerstone of her journey.
First Steps: From Banking to Brewing
Dolapo’s career began in finance during her National Youth Service at Intercontinental Bank as an Executive Trainee. Banking, however, felt like a temporary stop. In November 2008, she joined Diageo Guinness Nigeria as a Graduate Management Trainee — a bold pivot into FMCG.
Her first roles, from Trainee Shift Brewer to Quality Assurance Technologist, immersed her in the grain-to-glass process and instilled adaptability. She states,
“I only knew as matter of fact that banking was just a means to an end but not an end in itself.”
Leaving her father’s home for her first solo apartment in Lagos, she embraced independence and growth, laying the foundation for a career defined by bold moves.
Rising Through the Ranks: A Global Leadership Journey
At Guinness Nigeria, Dolapo took on critical leadership roles, including Packaging Shift Manager and Site Environment Manager, sharpening her expertise in sustainability and operational excellence.
Her career soon transcended borders:
• Australia: As Manufacturing Excellence Lead, she standardized processes and introduced efficiency programs.
• Africa Emerging Markets: As Manufacturing Excellence Manager, she drove cross-country performance improvements.
• Nigeria: By 2022, she rose to Site Director, overseeing production with a people-first, safety-driven mindset.
In July 2024, she assumed her current role as Operations Manager at Diageo IBC in Belfast, leading premium beverage production with an emphasis on quality, sustainability, and team engagement.
Her philosophy:
“Building high-performing teams demands a unique blend of technical/functional expertise and exceptional emotional intelligence.”
Her MBA from Anglia Ruskin University, along with certifications in strategic governance and quality management, underscores her commitment to continuous learning.
A Life of Purpose: Faith, Family, and Giving Back
Dolapo’s career is balanced by her faith and family. She describes her guiding principle as:
“FAITH, serving as the foundation of my hopes and beliefs… upheld by my unwavering faith in God, I find strength in knowing that He sees and supports me through every endeavor.”
Happily married with children, she credits her family as her anchor. She channels her passion into mentoring women in STEM through WIMBIZ and as a Women Empowered Ambassador.
Following the loss of her parents, she founded the Modeji Foundation, which provides healthcare and food aid to underserved communities, turning personal grief into a legacy of service.
Recognition and Influence
Dolapo’s leadership has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized as:
• 2025 Top 20 Women Leader (Canada Global Awards)
• 2023 Top 100 Career Woman in Africa
• 2025 Finalist, Women’s Business Club Awards – Women in STEM
• Recipient, Diageo’s Inspire through Purpose Award
Her focus now extends to the future of work, exploring AI-powered smart factories and preparing teams for digital transformation.
The Nectar of Wisdom from Dolapo Oshiegbu’s Journey
• “You are enough! You have a right to wish and dream! You can be all that you want to be with purpose, passion, perseverance, practice & positivity.”
• “Life isn’t without ups and downs because everyone presents the good parts mostly. Even precious stones pass through the heat to get refined.”
• “Tell your story the way you want it to be told, no one but you lived the experience. Sometimes you WIN, other times you LEARN.”
• “Be there for others but never leave yourself behind. Stay positive, tough days pass too.”
• “All it takes is one more step to get closer to everything you’ve ever wished for. Keep walking!”
A Legacy in the Making
As she celebrates 17 years with Diageo, Dolapo remains focused on clarity of purpose and impact. She reflects;
“Clarity of purpose is paramount in any endeavor, illuminating the path forward and discerning what aligns with one’s aspirations.”
Her story is not just about professional success — it’s about using her platform to empower others, champion diversity, and redefine leadership. With her sights set on board-level influence, she continues to shape industries and communities with excellence and empathy.
Editorial Note
Dolapo Oshiegbu’s journey is a masterclass in leadership and humanity, blending professional prowess with heartfelt dedication to others. Her ability to balance family, faith, and a global career while uplifting women in STEM is truly inspiring. This biography captures a woman whose impact reverberates far beyond the boardroom, leaving a legacy of excellence and empowerment. Executives Diary is proud to showcase her story as a beacon of what determination and purpose can achieve.
We Want to Read Your Story in Executives Diary – Preserving Human History and Wisdom
Behind every brand, there is a brain that molds and folds startups into established brands, and behind every brand, there are professionals who drive the business in new directions. If you are a founder or an executive, we want to read and preserve your story.
Executives Diary is an invite-only network, ensuring that every story shared on our platform is authentic. If you’d like to share your journey, reach out to us at mystory@executivesdiary.com
Our mission is to become the world’s largest platform for storytelling. We look forward to hearing your story!
