In a star-studded ceremony that gathered Nigeria’s most influential leaders and change-makers, Engr. Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Princess Nkeiruka Nwode was honored with the prestigious Policewoman of the Year 2025 award at the 7th Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX). The event, held on October 31, 2025, at the Nigerian Air Force NAF Banquet Hall in Abuja, celebrated exceptional leadership across various sectors, with CSP Nwode’s recognition highlighting the critical importance of innovative and community-focused policing in national development .
The LEEX Awards, packaged by Igbere TV and endorsed by the African Union and the African Film Institute, have cemented their status as Africa’s premier platform for leadership recognition. The 2025 edition continued its tradition of honoring luminaries from public service, business, and politics. The event saw figures like Tony Elumelu named Man of the Year and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan awarded Woman of the Year, sharing the stage with governors, senators, and other distinguished leaders recognized for their transformative contributions to society .
CSP Nwode’s award is a testament to a career that masterfully blends technical expertise with compassionate service. A certified engineer and a police officer, she brings a unique, modernizing approach to law enforcement. Her trailblazing spirit was most evident during her tenure as the first female Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Anambra State, where she broke gender barriers and reshaped the critical relationship between the police and the public through transparency and strategic communication .
Her leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in community service and ethical policing. Beyond her operational duties, CSP Nwode is widely celebrated for her extensive humanitarian work. In a remarkable act of kindness in 2021, she personally funded and oversaw the construction of a new house for a poor widow in Ebonyi State who had been living in a mud house, completing the project in just three weeks. This is just one of many documented gestures, which also include gifting a youth N1 million to start a photography business, demonstrating that her dedication to uplifting communities extends far beyond her official responsibilities .
The 7th LEEX Awards was more than a ceremony; it was a gathering of Africa’s most influential visionaries. The event underscored a collective commitment to leadership that drives tangible progress. The winners, selected through a widely reported and transparent national online poll monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), represent a public endorsement of their impactful work .
CSP Nkeiruka Nwode’s receipt of the Policewoman of the Year award sends a powerful message about the evolving nature of law enforcement. Her career stands as a compelling model for a new generation of officers, proving that effective policing requires both intellect and heart, and that true security is built on a foundation of community trust and unwavering integrity .
