Two influential Nigerian women, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and media mogul Mo Abudu, have been honoured on Forbes’ prestigious list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women of 2025. The annual ranking, released on Wednesday, celebrates female leaders shaping global business, politics, media, and culture.
Their inclusion underscores the growing footprint of Nigerian women on the world stage—particularly in international trade and entertainment.
This year’s list features an array of global powerhouses, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (No. 1), European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde (No. 2), Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi (No. 3), Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum (No. 5), and Namibia’s Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (No. 79).
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: A Global Force in Trade
Ranked 92nd, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala continues to make history as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. She is not only the first African but also the first woman to lead the WTO since assuming office in March 2021.
Forbes describes her as “an economist and international development professional” with over three decades of experience across multiple continents—including Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
Her illustrious career includes two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (2003–2006 and 2011–2015) and a brief stint as Foreign Minister in 2006. Okonjo-Iweala also previously chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has facilitated the immunisation of more than 760 million children worldwide.
A Harvard-trained economist with a PhD from MIT, the 71-year-old mother of four is celebrated for her unwavering belief in trade as a tool for reducing poverty and driving sustainable development in emerging economies.
Mo Abudu: Africa’s Media Powerhouse
Coming in at No. 98, Mo Abudu continues her trailblazing journey as a media entrepreneur, producer, and founder of EbonyLife Media. Since launching EbonyLife TV in 2006, she has transformed it into a global brand, now broadcasting in more than 49 countries across Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Forbes highlights her role in securing landmark partnerships with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks, and Netflix—making EbonyLife the first African media company to sign a multi-title deal with the streaming giant. In November 2025, EbonyLife also debuted its new digital platform, EbonyLife ON Plus, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Born in London and partly raised in Nigeria, Abudu has been recognised as “one of the most influential women in global media,” thanks to her commitment to elevating African storytelling.
Women Shaping Tech, AI, and Entertainment
The 2025 list also reflects the rising influence of women in technology and artificial intelligence. Notable names include:
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Lisa Su, CEO of AMD (No. 10)
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Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet (No. 12)
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Colette Kress of Nvidia (No. 37)
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Susan Li of Meta (No. 41)
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Amy Hood of Microsoft (No. 16)
The ranking also features Daniela Amodei (No. 73), co-founder and president of Anthropic, who recently became a self-made billionaire after the company reached a valuation of $183 billion. Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI, appears at No. 50.
In entertainment, Kim Kardashian (No. 71) makes her debut on the list following a $225 million fundraising round for Skims, now valued at $5 billion, and the launch of NikeSKIMS in partnership with Nike.
Forbes also acknowledges the cultural impact of the women behind Netflix’s hit film KPop Demon Hunters (No. 100), whose fan base spans continents and crosses demographic lines.
