Rukayat rufai biography of alberta

GE: From a BSc in accounting to leading PWC’s sustainability and Climate Change Practice and Public Sector Risk Assurance Services, how have you managed to position and up skill to attract and perform optimally in diverse roles?

Rukaiya: I have indeed transformed from role to role accidentally.

She graduated from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where she studied accounting.

She is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of industry and consulting work experience. In 5 years’, time, I want to be one of the reputable experts in my field and the first that comes to mind when phenomenal issues arise within sustainability and public sector.

GE: What is your advice for other women seeking to become partners or rise in their organization?

Rukaiya: My advice to other women is to be dedicated, work whole heartedly, be within your ‘blue flame’ (where your passion meets your talent) and this makes work effortless and you will not even notice the long hours being put because you are within an area that you are very passionate about.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science, in collaboration with the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin.

El-Rufai is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience spanning consulting and the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

When things don’t go as planned, and you know you have done your part, just learn to surrender, have grit, pick yourself up and try other things.

I typically have meetings with my team members, clients and meet on other practice management related matters. My mentors & career sponsors are people that I remain thankful to and will appreciate for the rest of my life.

GE: In your experience, what have you seen as the major challenges that hold women back at work?

Rukaiya: I honestly think that this is relative and specific to each woman’s conditions.

What roles and meetings are you involved in and what skills do you deploy daily to succeed?

Rukaiya: My typical workday starts with checking my emails, creating my to-dos and planning my day especially identifying what to prioritize. This has given me breadth of skills. You are continuously exposed to new things and I find that refreshing.

Of course, it goes without saying that you need to able to lead behind people, so you need to be able to have the leadership skills to galvanize & influence people to play their respective parts as well.

GE: In terms of organizational outcomes, what would you say has been the biggest value add you provide to your employers, past and present?

Rukaiya: Results.

With a practical top-level experience at the Ministry of Finance, Budget & National Planning where she served as a Special Advisor to the Minister on revenue where is advised on national revenue matters including Domestic Resource Mobilisation (DRM) and on a broader note, fiscal sustainability. It is to make sure that you are building back the bridges as you go along the way

Glory Edozien is a LinkedIn Professional Branding Coach and Visibility expert who helps mid-senior level career women and executives build visibility and thought leadership on LinkedIn, so they can get the recognition they deserve, earn more money and climb the corporate ladder.

Through her signature LinkedIn Visibility System she is helping African career women across the continent and Diaspora effectively communicate their skills online and build professional credibility in their sectors.

Available for: 1:1, Group Coaching and Corporate Training.

I am curious and do not like mundane, routine work and that what I like the most of my job.

GE: If you could name 3 things responsible for your career progression what would they be?

Rukaiya: Prayer, hard work & self-belief.

GE: How important has building strategic relationships been to your career, including mentors and sponsors, in terms of both on the job performance and career progression?

Rukaiya: Very pivotal.

Her experience covers development of comprehensive strategies and roadmaps for sustainable development. I believe in destiny; you just need to play your part by working hard and doing things right.