The hallmark of greatness is being able to push through oppressive boundaries with sheer force and strong will to reach the apex. Diezani-Alison Madueke remains a force to reckon with, confirming that hardwork and determination is the driving force behind any successful visionary. With her iconic record-breaking career, elegance and charisma, she stands tall as a political hero for Nigerian women in politics.

Diezani-Allison Madueke was born on 6th December 1960 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. And upon completing her primary and secondary school education in Nigeria, she got her degree in Architecture from Howard University in the US. After finishing her university education, she returned to Nigeria, where she joined Shell Petroleum Development Corporation.

At Shell, she was committed to her role as an architectural consultant and working in the estates' area of operations. Here, Allison experienced firsthand the challenges women face in male-dominated organisations. Regardless, she climbed past bureaucratic steps and rose to lead top positions in the company.

Eventually, after almost fifteen years, Allison Madueke was chosen as the first female Executive Director of Shell in Nigeria in 2006. This was no easy task, and it served as an inspiration to other women in the IOCs who wanted a fairer deal and less discrimination in the workplace. During her tenure as executive director, she paved the way for other women to rise to the top.

She often advised young women she coached while working at Shell to 'adjust their frame of thinking' when working in male-dominated industries. Through strong will and determination, she ensured that she fought discriminatory policies that prevented many women from reaching top positions, even when qualified.

Meanwhile, Allison Madueke's crowning achievement is in her political career. In 2007, she was appointed as a Federal Minister of Transportation. She became the Minister of Mine and Steel Development a year later under former President Musa Yar' Ardua's administration. Throughout her years in government, Allison encouraged women's empowerment and publicly spoke against gender discrimination in the Nigerian government.

While former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was working as the acting president in 2010, he dissolved the old cabinet. Then, he appointed a new cabinet, with Allison Madueke as the first female minister of petroleum in Nigeria. She was chosen over other male politicians who were all competing for the highly coveted role.

Other achievements of Allison Madueke are, in 2010, she was the first woman to head a country's delegation at the annual Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) conference; she was elected as the First Female President in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Also, she implemented the government policy to provide 10% of petroleum revenue to communities in Nigeria Delta.

Madueke's prominence spread far beyond Africa to Europe, where she gained international recognition and awards. She's a former recipient of the British Chevening scholarship for future leaders of foreign states. On the International Women's Day in 2015, the British government paid tribute to her and other women in government as women who- "make it happen."

In 2013, she attended The Women in Government and Politics Conference in London. She represented Nigeria alongside other African women political leaders. At the conference, she emphasised the importance of gender equality and women's representation in government. She also encouraged successful women to "pull up as many women as possible up the ladder" and put aside their "petty grievances and nuances."

Furthermore, in an interview with Forbes Woman Africa, she emphasised her role as a women's leader, stating, "All the firsts, each time they came, were very humbling and a great privilege. When you realise that the steps you are taking and the glass ceilings you are breaking open the door for other women to enter that area, it is very pleasing to me."

Allison went on to say, "I believe that as women, it is important to remember that there are many other women who have been shut out of many areas of professional expertise and as you rise the ladder, always remember to turn back and give a helping hand to other women to rise along with you." She has also been identified as a role model for aspiring young women in politics.

Throughout Allison Madueke's outstanding professional and political career, she faced several roadblocks and challenges, both political and economic. However, she remained an unstoppable force to reckon with and a political hero for women working in government. She actively championed new developments and innovations in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

The former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison-Madueke, was in charge of a sector beset by operational difficulties. Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, and Alison Madueke's office was in charge of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), one of the continent's largest state-owned oil companies. The industry is held in high regard as a means of propelling the country ahead.

Her objective when she took over the position was to shift the narrative surrounding Nigeria's key revenue-generating sector and encourage investment. Allison Madueke's tenure has seen some transformative highs in Nigeria's oil and gas sector. Her advocacy for the passing of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill demonstrates her commitment to empowering indigenous businesses.

In 2010, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed the bill into law, impacting indigenous participation and the development of local capacities and transforming the face of the industry. It saw a significant increase in indigenous entrants and Nigerian-owned exploration and production businesses, which was a first for the industry. Most importantly, it resulted in the creation of new jobs.

The bottom line is that several industries in Nigeria, like the oil and gas sector, and government organisations, are overly dominated by men. However, in Nigeria, a small group of women is striving to make a difference, and Diezani Alison-Madueke, the Minister of Petroleum, has been a strong role model for these women.

She led the small group of people who took advantage of the 35% affirmative action to enhance women's participation in government and business corporations. Women's power in Nigeria has steadily increased, with two top cabinet seats held by women under the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration.

There's no doubt that Alison Madueke is a female icon and role model for women seeking a government career. Several supporters of the 35% affirmative action celebrate the few women who soared above all prejudices to attain high positions in government and Alison's case, doubly so given her background as a former employee of a multinational oil organisation.

In addition, she was present at the United Nations World-Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters. Here, she actively participated with other world leaders in discussing the roles of female leaders in government and private sectors. The panel agreed on the need for countries and business communities to increase opportunities for women and advance women empowerment.

Former minister Diezani-Alison Madueke also stated that leaders need to develop a thick skin to ensure crisis-oriented and decisive policy-making. While in office, she worked with various women entrepreneurs in the oil and gas sector to increase women's stakes in the industry. Years after she left office, she continues to empower women-led organisations as a strong advocate for gender equality.

According to Diezani-Alison Madueke, African women's status in society is evolving. Her existence is now recognised with a "no-limit vision" of how far she can go. She emphasises the importance of Nigeria's leadership in educating the people on gender issues within and outside government structures. And she has publicly shared her vision to see more women hold strong government positions in Africa.

She don de plan come back as buhari de go next year

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