Two distinguished Nigerians, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and media mogul Mo Abudu have been recognized on Forbes magazine’s prestigious 2025 list of the 100 World’s Most Powerful Women. The annual ranking, released on December 10, profiles influential women who are shaping global policy, business, and culture.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), is ranked 92nd on the list. She is celebrated as the first woman and first African to lead the WTO. Forbes highlights her extensive career, including over three decades in international economic development, two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, and her successful tenure as Chair of the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Her leadership was recently affirmed by member states, who overwhelmingly reappointed her for a second term in late 2024.
Mo Abudu the founder and CEO of EbonyLife Media, is ranked 98th. She is recognized as a leading media executive and philanthropist whose work has significantly impacted the African entertainment landscape. Forbes notes that this year’s list places a strong emphasis on the rising influence of women in technology, politics, and entertainment—a sphere where Abudu has been a pioneering force.
The list also features other prominent African leaders, including South Africa’s FirstRand Group CEO Mary Vilakazi, Democratic Republic of the Congo’s first female Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and Bidvest CEO Mpumi Madisa. This recognition underscores the growing global impact and leadership of African women across diverse sectors.
