Two leading Nigerian figures, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mo Abudu, have been listed among Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women for 2025, highlighting their global impact and groundbreaking accomplishments.
Okonjo-Iweala, ranked 92nd, is the first woman and first African to head the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as Director-General. With more than three decades of experience in international development, she previously served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and briefly as Foreign Affairs Minister.
Her tenure at the WTO has been marked by efforts to promote global trade as a tool for sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Also featured on the list is Mo Abudu, placed at number 98. Abudu, the founder of EbonyLife Media, is widely regarded as a trailblazer in African media and storytelling.
Her platform, EbonyLife TV, broadcasts across more than 49 countries, and her company has secured major partnerships with international giants including Sony Pictures, AMC Networks and Netflix, positioning her as one of the most influential women in global media.
Forbes noted that their inclusion alongside figures such as Ursula von der Leyen, Christine Lagarde and newcomer Kim Kardashian reflects the expanding influence of women shaping global policies, industries and cultural narratives.
