Ukpoka-Eyamba
In a moment of pride and celebration, a Canada-based development activist, author, and transformational community leader, Patricia Ukpoka-Eyamba, has been named among the women profiled in the 2026 edition of Nigeria Women Annual: 100 Leading Women.
Her recognition places her in the company of some of Nigeria’s most accomplished female leaders across public service, education, development, advocacy, business, faith, and innovation. It is also a powerful affirmation of a life and leadership journey rooted in service, courage, cultural consciousness, and lasting impact.
Patricia Ukpoka-Eyamba has distinguished herself as a social impact strategist and advocate for inclusive development, building bridges between communities and institutions while championing empowerment, belonging, and wellbeing. Her work reflects a rare blend of compassion, vision, and strategy — one that centers people while driving systemic change.
As the Founder and Executive Director of El-Ubuntu Pathways Inc., Patricia has advanced a bold and deeply human vision inspired by Ubuntu — “I am because we are.” Through youth mentorship, parent engagement, culturally responsive programming, and institutional capacity building, she has helped redefine what meaningful integration can look like for newcomer families and marginalized communities.
She also founded Patricia Ukpoka-Eyamba Inc., a consultancy focused on helping newcomer youth in schools discover voice, identity, and purpose. Through this platform, she supports young people in developing confidence, belonging, and leadership while also helping institutions better understand and respond to their realities.
Patricia’s influence extends across settlement services, trauma-informed practice, nonprofit innovation, community engagement, and leadership development. She is especially known for her ability to bring clarity and action to complex issues, equipping teams and organizations with practical tools around staff resilience, vicarious trauma, psychological safety, inclusive engagement, and bias-conscious leadership.
Her work is both strategic and deeply personal. She has developed mentorship models, leadership curricula, community dialogue platforms, and culturally responsive frameworks that are grounded in research, lived experience, and the voices of the communities she serves. Whether in nonprofit leadership, institutional settings, or community spaces, Patricia continues to lead with excellence, empathy, and purpose.
An accomplished writer and community voice, she has also used storytelling as a tool for visibility, healing, and empowerment. Her growing list of honours includes the Examplers Award, recognition among the 100 Most Outstanding Nigerians in the Diaspora (2023 Edition), the 2024 International Excellence Award for Female Writers, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Coalition of Manitoba Cultural Communities for Families, and listing in Who Is Who in Cross River State, Nigeria.
This latest honour is more than a personal milestone. It is a celebration of the power of values-driven leadership and a reminder of what is possible when women lead with vision, integrity, and commitment to community transformation.
Patricia Ukpoka-Eyamba’s story continues to inspire — across Canada, Nigeria, and beyond. Her work is shaping lives, strengthening families, empowering youth, and helping communities move closer to justice, dignity, and shared flourishing.“Nigeria Women Annual:
100 Leading Women in Nigeria”, is Nigeria’s most qualitative compendium that profiles outstanding women across different frontiers and they include innovators, barrier-breakers, activists, top bureaucrats, captains of industry, and celebrities.
“The Nigeria Women Annual: 100 Leading Women” is the premier qualitative profiling of phenomenal women in Nigeria who have contributed to the development of Nigeria and the world.
It is a gender-specific biographical compendium that responds to existing gender gaps in Nigeria’s biographical documentation and leadership.
Now in its eighth year, the current edition is said to be the most qualitative biographical profile on Nigerian female leaders in 2026
In a statement by the CEO of Profiles & Biographies, publishers of the book, Kammonke Abam, said, “in publishing this compendium every year, we envision that we will continue to contribute to gender equality and women empowerment advocacy efforts towards filling the yawning gender gap in the leadership of Nigeria”.
“As in the previous editions, the array of women who made the list this year all have stories that are inspirational; which we hope, will inspire readers, especially young girls and boys, who constitute our primary target”, he added.