B.Sc. CIA, CISA, CFSA, FICA, Cert.IFR
Irene Nwankwo is an outstanding business assurance professional, widely respected and celebrated for her over fifteen years of transformative leadership in Internal Audit, Control, Compliance, and Risk Management across diverse industries including Financial Services, Hospitality, and FMCG.
She is Certified in Internal Auditing (CIA), Information Systems Auditing (CISA), Financial Service Auditing (CFSA) as well as the application of IFRS (CERT IFR, ACCA). Her commitment to excellence is further underscored by her membership in the esteemed Institute of Directors, in addition to her pivotal role as a faculty and Board member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Nigeria. She is also an alumnus of the renowned Lagos Business School’s Senior Management Program (SMP).

Before joining AEDC, Irene was Head of Internal Audit at Transcorp Hotels Plc, Nigeria's leading hospitality brand listed on the Nigerian Exchange, where she orchestrated a paradigm shift in audit methodologies, elevating the standards of assurance and governance within the organisation. She implemented rigorous internal controls and compliance frameworks, fortifying the company's resilience against emerging risks and regulatory challenges.

Irene's illustrious career journey started at KPMG, where she honed her skills as a consultant specializing in Internal Audit, Compliance, Risk Management, and Corporate Governance. Having displayed exceptional acumen and dedication, she rose to the role of Assistant Manager, spearheading numerous assurance and consulting engagements with unparalleled finesse. This paved the way for her to assume the pivotal role of Head of Internal Audit at Transcorp Hotels Plc, Nigeria's leading hospitality brand listed on the Nigerian Exchange, where she rose to become an AVP.

Beyond her corporate endeavours, Irene is a revered mentor and educator, having facilitated numerous training sessions for a diverse group of people across different industries. Her passion for knowledge sharing and skill development underscores her commitment to nurturing the next generation of audit professionals and fostering industry-wide advancement.