VICKY HAASTRUP: Queen of business excellence

2026-03-02 - 06:38

By Morenike Taire Long before her husband, the Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, His Imperial Majesty, the 41st Owa Obokun Adimula Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko the III ascended the throne of his forefathers; Olori Dr Victoria Haastrup has exemplified the qualities of a queen. Born in Ijara-isin Local Government Area, Kwara State about 60 years ago, Olori Haastrup is a true Nigerian who learned very early the dignity of diligence and working with one’s hands. Not one to be intimidated, Vicky Haastrup has not only played in the male dominated field of Maritime, she has conquered it, not only achieving business success through ENL Consortium which she co-founded, but has become a clear industry leader. Her leadership qualities were recognised by fellow concessionaires when she was appointed as the Chairman of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), till date. Olori Vicky Haastrup holds a bachelors degree in Business Management from the renowned Holborn College, London, now known as Kaplan Holborn College. She was at different times at the London Business School, London Corporate Training Centre and Pitman Central College, London. In 1984 she joined the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Petroleum and Energy Resources where she demonstrated tremendous capacity and capabilities in a wide range of oil, gas, energy and utilities issues. Her extensive experience in the secretarial management and administration of large oil and gas processing, pipeline, transportation, trading, corporate business as well as energy projects for twenty (23) unbroken years has been brought to bear in the world of business. In 2006, she retired from the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation and ventured into private business in the Nigerian maritime sector where she became the brain behind the huge and resounding successes of one of the leading maritime companies in the West African hub. She is currently serving as the Executive Vice Chairman, ENL Consortium Limited, the entity that oversees the operational activities of Terminals C&D of the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria. Under the leadership of Princess (Dr.) Vicky Haastrup, Terminals C&D of the Apapa Port has become one of the most efficient port terminals in Nigeria in the area of the discharge of bulk-laden ships, a service which ENL Consortium Limited has been carrying out with ease and remarkable efficiency. Dr. Vicky Haastrup is a fellow of the Certified Institute of Shipping and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, (FCILT, FCIS) and Member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria (IOD). In recognition of her contributions to the economic and social development of Nigeria, she was honoured with the award of a doctorate degree in Business Administration (DBA), (Honoris Causa) by the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho. Dr. Haastrup’s achievements have also won her meritorious awards from various local and international institutions the Maritime Woman of The Year award, the Excellence Humanitarian Service award, the Award of Excellence by WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association), Woman of Valor award by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Centre for women Development as well as the Seatrade Maritime Award (Middle East and Subcontinent) in the United Arab Emirate (UAE), amongst others. As a family woman, Princess, Vicky Haastrup takes seriously her role as the woman of her home and finds time to set trends on the fashion scene. As chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, canvassed more women participation in the shipping sector to reduce the gender gap in the industry. She is a seasoned motivational speaker at women conferences and matron to numerous women organisations such as, Women In Clearing and Forwarding, Women In Logistics and Transport. In May 2025, Vicky Haastrup ‘s responsibilities took a new turn. When her husband was crowned king, her responsibilities doubled. Haastrup, who still doubles as executive vice chairman/CEO of ENL Consortium, terminal operator, and patroness of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), continues to bear her responsibilities with grace, making her a shiny role model for business women everywhere to aspire to.