December 11, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s global influence received another boost as two of the country’s most prominent female figures — Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mo Abudu — were named among Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women for 2025, marking a fresh milestone for Nigerian excellence on the world stage.
Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), ranked 92nd on the prestigious list. The globally acclaimed economist continues to shatter barriers as the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, a position she has held since March 2021.
Forbes praised her far-reaching contributions to global trade and development, noting her over 30 years of leadership across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America.
Before her historic WTO appointment, Okonjo-Iweala twice served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and briefly as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
She also chaired the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, where she helped expand access to life-saving vaccines for millions of children worldwide.
Also featured in the 2025 ranking is Mo Abudu, media entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of EbonyLife Media, who placed 98th on the global list.
Abudu has built EbonyLife into one of Africa’s leading media brands, championing authentic African storytelling and exporting it to global audiences.
Her network now reaches viewers in more than 49 countries and maintains high-profile partnerships with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks and Netflix — a major stride for Africa-to-global content production.
In 2025, EbonyLife made further inroads with the launch of EbonyLife ON Plus, a digital streaming platform available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, strengthening Africa’s presence in the global digital entertainment space.
Forbes’ 2025 list highlights women shaping influence across politics, global finance, technology, entertainment and public service.
The recognition accorded Okonjo-Iweala and Abudu places Nigeria alongside global institutions and leaders such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, underscoring a growing appreciation for diverse leadership in shaping global policy and culture.
The achievements of these two Nigerian trailblazers not only reinforce their individual legacies but also spotlight the rising impact of Nigerian women at the highest levels of global leadership.
Their recognition remains a powerful inspiration to millions of young Africans aspiring to excel in governance, media, entrepreneurship and public service.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
