In the last 10 years on every #InternationalWomensDay, Leading Ladies Africa has highlighted the remarkable stories, impact and contributions of Nigerian women through its #100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria list — an annual tribute to groundbreaking women who have defied gender norms and pushed boundaries across various sectors in Nigeria and in the diaspora.
We have highlighted Athletes, Scientists, Artistes, Entrepreneurs, Activists, Politicians, Teachers, Careerists, Preachers, Writers — the full gamut and range of trailblazing women and changemakers disrupting the status quo and making an impact.
Now in its tenth year, and highlighting our commitment to gender equity, equality and diversity — we present the 10th edition of the #LLA100 Women list. Highlighting Nigerian women who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and showcased their invaluable contributions to society. By their very lives, these women exemplify the profound impact one can make through dedication, resilience, and unwavering perseverance. Their stories serve as reminders that with determination and focus, one can surmount any obstacle and achieve remarkable feats.
As you read the list and learn about these incredible women, we hope that their lives inspire you to make change and implement long lasting impact in whatever sphere you find yourself.
Addy Olubamiji — She is the CEO of D-Tech Centric Ltd, an education and career consulting company located in Ontario, Canada, and Indiana. Through professional training, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities, STEMHub has impacted the lives of thousands.
She is a distinguished member of the Forbes Coach Council. Her impactful works in Canada earned her the Women of the Year award by DMZ Canada in 2022 and a recognition among Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.
Adeola Alli — She is the Founder of OneHealth NG, Nigeria’s first Mobile Pharmacy and healthcare platform. In partnership with over 1,000 pharmacies and 200 logistics partners across the country, One Health NG is focused on making healthcare services available, accessible and affordable through innovative digital solutions.
In 2023, she was listed as one of the esteemed recipients of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. To support its healthcare solutions, the organization received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Adesayo Talabi — She is popularly known as ‘Symply Sayo,’ she is a spoken word artist and content creator celebrated for her comedic and satirical viral contents.
Motivated by the loss of her sister and another sibling at a young age due to sickle cell disease, she has channeled her grief into creative activism. Through poetry and online platforms, she raises funds for the Sickle Cell Foundation, honoring their legacies and spreading hope.
Aisha Falke — She is a visionary woman, wholeheartedly dedicated and passionate about enhancing the quality of life for women and youths in Northern Nigeria. Her commitment extends beyond mere rhetoric, as she actively spearheads initiatives aimed at positively impacting the lives of the region’s residents. Notably, she is the driving force behind Northern Hibiscus, an organization that has evolved into a non-profit entity dedicated to uplifting the less privileged in society.
In her unwavering pursuit of a better future for Northern Nigeria, Aisha orchestrated the inaugural Northern Hibiscus Initiative Summit. This summit stands as a testament to her commitment to fostering positive change by placing a particular emphasis on enhancing the entrepreneurial skills of Northern youths. Through this strategic initiative, Aisha aims to empower the younger generation with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the economic landscape, thereby contributing to the overall development of the region.
Alice Halidu — She is the Senior Pastor of Revival House Church, located in Lokoja, Nigeria. Renowned as a Charismatic Christian preacher, she is committed to spreading the gospel of Christ across the globe.
Her dedication to evangelism and mission work beyond the confines of her local church and community singles her out. She actively engages in various forms of outreach, which include preaching at conferences, conducting evangelistic crusades, utilizing media platforms, and supporting missionary efforts in other parts of the world.
Amal Hassan — She is the founder of Outsource Global, a Nigerian contact centre business process outsourcing company. It specialises in delivering BPO solutions, telemarketing, IT services, software development, and customer support services to the international market. She is a technopreneur with diverse interests across different technology verticals. In 2013, she founded Outsource Global which has established its presence with offices in Abuja, Lagos, and Kaduna.
In her quest to create employment opportunities for Nigerian youths, she did her research and discovered that BPO servicing provides millions of jobs to the Indians. She found out that Americans have been outsourcing their customer services to Indians since 1980, and she thought ‘Why not Nigeria’. To address this, she transitioned the company’s business model to a partnership approach. This involved collaborating with experts in various fields such as law, accounting, and software development to design tailored training programs that bridged the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills required by the international market.
Awele Okigbo — She is the Founder and CEO of Credo Advisory, a leading strategic and development communications consultancy based in Abuja and Washington, DC.
She is also the Host of Credo Voices, a podcast that highlights inspiring stories of everyday heroes – ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The podcast is a growing global community of change agents driving the Sustainable Development Goals. For over 25 years, she has led communications teams to raise awareness, build trust and effect change for institutions, including the United Nations, the United States Agency for International Development, the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Ayo Edebiri — She is a talented comedian, writer, and actress who has made notable contributions to the entertainment industry. Her rise to prominence gained momentum with her involvement in the comedy scene, where she showcased her unique comedic style, often blending observational humor with insightful commentary on contemporary issues. Her ability to dissect societal norms and navigate complex topics with humor has resonated with audiences, earning her a dedicated following.
She recently achieved remarkable success by winning prestigious awards across various platforms. Her accolades include recognition from esteemed institutions such as the Emmy Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and most notably, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.
Babafunke Fagbemi — She is the Executive Director at the Centre for Communication and Social Impact Abuja, Nigeria. With an illustrious career spanning over 27 years, she has taken the lead in developing and managing strategic communication initiatives in various thematic areas of integrated health and social development in Nigeria and Africa.
Her commitment towards addressing ‘contextualized’ inequities is driven from the unique lens of Social and Behavior Change (SBC), through human centered focused campaigns.
Betty Harry – She is the Founder of Peppersoup Shop, an online food delivery service. Recognizing the growing demand for convenient and quality food delivery services, she founded Peppersoup Shop. This online platform offers a diverse menu of delicious dishes, including traditional favorites and contemporary culinary creations.
In 2022, she took it a step further by hosting ‘The Pepper Soup Festival’ which served as a platform for other food vendors to showcase the diverse flavors and rich culinary traditions of Nigeria, particularly focusing on the beloved dish of pepper soup. It underscored her passion for promoting Nigerian cuisine and her dedication to creating memorable experiences that celebrate food, culture, and community spirit.
Beverly Adaeze – She is a Creative, Comedian, Professional Color Stylist, MC & Social Media Influencer in Houston, Texas. Her skits on her Nigerian heritage have gained millions of views across the world and have solidified her place in the online comedy world.
As a social media influencer, her vibrant personality and authentic storytelling resonate with audiences across various digital platforms. Through her engaging content and genuine interactions with her followers, she has built a strong and loyal community that values her creativity, humor, and authenticity.
Biodun Stephen — She is the CEO of Shutterspeed projects, a creative film and video production company based in Lagos. She is an award-winning film director, writer and producer, and her artistic vision and storytelling prowess have earned her widespread recognition and numerous accolades within the industry.
Through her work, she has not only made a significant impact on the Nigerian film industry but has also helped to elevate its profile on the global stage. Her contributions as a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and visionary leader have paved the way for a new generation of storytellers and creatives, inspiring them to push boundaries, defy conventions, and pursue their artistic passions with courage and conviction.
Blessing Abeng — She is the Co-founder and Director of Communications at Ingressive for Good where she drove the mission of the edtech nonprofit to create and increase the earning power of African youth through tech training and resources for the growth of the African startup ecosystems. She led the growth of Ingressive For Good from 0 to over 250,000 community members, training over 100,000, placing thousands in jobs, and exclusively leading multiple cohorts of women-focused tech training, attracting partners and supporters like Coursera, DataCamp, Facebook, Figma, Alphabet, and a host of others.
She’s an award-winning powerhouse, having achieved remarkable recognition throughout her career. Among her notable honors, she was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and her influence has been acknowledged as one of the UN 100 Most Influential People of African Descent Under 40.
Bose Ogulu – She is also known as Mama Burna, she is a Nigerian academic, businesswoman and talent manager. As the mother and manager of the internationally acclaimed musician Burna Boy, she has played a pivotal role in shaping and guiding his musical career to unprecedented success.
In 2023, she was awarded the History Maker Award 2023’ at Best of Africa Awards in London, this award is a testament to her indelible impact on the music industry and her commitment to promoting African talent on the global stage.
Bola Matel-Okoh – She is the Founder of The Women’s Lifestyle Hub (WLH), which seeks to provide support, advocacy, and a safe space for women to achieve balance and holistic wellness.She is an accomplished attorney with over 30 years of experience in diverse areas of judicial science. She possesses solid legal research skills and expertise in investigating cases, adjudication of clients’ claims, and transactions of clients’ business. She is a New York State Bar, and Nigerian Bar Association admitted attorney. Her legal experience spans areas such as Admiralty Law, Immigration Law, and participation in the final phase of a multi-billion insurance class action litigation.
She is a certified Executive Coach and Founder of BMO Advisory Services, a leadership and personal development consulting firm that provides advisory and counseling services to women in top executive positions. She is passionate about empowering and equipping executive women with transformational leadership skills to achieve professional and personal excellence and all-round success.
Busola Tejumola – She is the Executive Head of Content & West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria Limited. As the Executive Head of Content and Channels West Africa at MultiChoice Group, she oversees the end-to-end delivery of engaging and diverse content for over 20 million subscribers across the continent.
She has more than 18 years of experience in research, strategy and content development, leading the production, acquisition, and distribution of the Africa Magic and Akwaaba Group Channels where she has devised and implemented innovative models that have contributed to the growth and profitability of the business, such as media licensing models, evaluation metrics, and deal terms. She is passionate about telling authentic and compelling stories that reflect the richness and diversity of Africa’s culture and people.
Chiamaka Elujoba — She is the Founder of Green Essence Healthy Lifestyle, a wellness center that helps clients achieve optimum wellness, manage and prevent lifestyle diseases using Cold-pressed juices and a variety of all-natural wellness solutions.
She is committed to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment at Green Essence Healthy Lifestyle, where clients feel empowered and inspired to take charge of their health journey. Through educational workshops, seminars, and community events, she raises awareness about the benefits of holistic living and encourages individuals to prioritize self-care and well-being.
Chiamaka Nnadozie — She is a goalkeeper for the Nigeria women’s national football team and Paris FC in the French Division 1 Féminine. She won the Goalkeeper of the Year Award at the CAF Awards 2024. She has been regarded as the best female goalkeeper in Africa and one of the best in the world.
Beyond her achievements, she serves as an inspiration and role model for aspiring athletes, particularly young girls, across Nigeria and beyond. Her journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of women’s football serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
Chiamaka Nwakalor-Egemba — She is the Founder of Dish L’Afrique, and the Convener of Chow with Amaka, an Afro-fusion dining event.
She is dedicated to exploring and innovating with diverse ingredients to create unique culinary experiences. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is committed to making a difference in her community. As an advocate for Zero Hunger SDG2, she actively contributes by supporting widows and children in need.
Chidiogo Mbelede – She is the Founder of House of Coco Skincare, a simple, safe and active skincare brand with a wide range of moisturizers, serums and face and body wash. She is also a Petroleum Engineer & Energy Economist with a wealth of experience in consulting & project management for full field development/redevelopment.
She is a trailblazer whose entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence have made a significant impact in both the skincare and energy sectors. Through her leadership and innovation, she continues to inspire others to pursue their passions, challenge the status quo, and make a meaningful difference in the world.
Deola Art Alade — She is the CEO of Livespot360, a creative collective company based in Lagos. Known as one of the top event promoters in the country, she and her husband, Dare Alade, recently launched the Entertainment Week Lagos, a platform that brings the entertainment world to the city of Lagos, to collaborate, network, ideate, showcase and exchange knowledge & resources.
She is also the co-creator of the much talked about production ‘Love Like A Movie’ which has featured Darey, Kim Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, Ciara, and the executive producer of the two biggest festivals in Nigeria Livespot X Festival which featured Cardi B and Born in Africa Festival (BAFEST). She is well known for her ability to develop talk of the town concepts and has successfully launched top music artistes in the entertainment industry. She brings her strong experience in content creation and event production to Livespot360.
Dere Akindoju—Oritsedere Akindoju in her over 5-year career worked in the corporate industry from banking to human resources. She currently works with IBM, one of the top IT firms worldwide as a PeopleSoft consultant with a focus in analyzing and auditingpayroll data. She is also a manager leading her team to succession and overall business growth.
As an outstanding sports enthusiast she was named one of the Lululemon Ambassador’s in the year 2022 and holds that position till date. Through her position with Lululemon she has and continue to support her community through run as a lead ofthe “RunwithDere” run club, she has featured on various platforms sharing her story of community and empowerment through sports, represented in her city as an ambassador and racer at the 2023 annual Lululemon 10K tour. She also doubles as a fitness coach in strength, conditioning and run.
Oritsedere is biased to women’s health and empowerment, especially mothers. She believes life does not stop or slow down after you hit a milestone. She is a supporter of women andinspires every woman to go further.
Drea Okeke — She is a Content Creator and a force for positivity and empowerment. With a large following across social media platforms, she amplifies her Nigerian culture, shares her journey with alopecia, and promotes self-love through relatable content and honest storytelling. Her journey from engineering to content creation is a testament to resilience and self-belief, inspiring others to pursue their passions fearlessly.
From hosting the 2022 BET Awards red carpet to securing major brand partnerships and receiving recognition in the Forbes 30 Under 30 and Forbes Annual Top Creators list 2023.
Ejiroghene Udu — She is the Founder of Premium Power Solutions Ltd, a startup that helps businesses, events, construction & telecom sites, keep their power on 24/7 with zero down time through generator rentals, maintenance & other alternative power solutions. She is committed to ensuring businesses in Nigeria thrive despite the challenges posed by unreliable power supply.
Committed to social impact, she spearheads the Lift-A-Girl program, a non-profit organization empowering women with skills and funds to thrive in their circles of influence. Additionally, Ejiro is the driving force behind the Lady Technician Academy, aiming to bridge the gender gap in the power industry, enhance the skill pipeline of young women, and provide job placements in this traditionally male-dominated field.
Ele Babalola — She is popularly known as Ele Gold B and the author of ‘You Are Gold’, a masterpiece crafted to guide and empower women as they navigate their identities, relationships, and inner selves.
In addition to her work as an author, Ele Babalola is a beacon of inspiration and empowerment in her community and beyond. Through her platform, she uplifts and motivates women to embrace their authenticity, pursue their passions, and live their lives with purpose and intention.
Elizabeth Osho –She is the Founder of SoMedia Solutions Group a Communication and PR first with offices in Washington DC and Lagos and Celebrity Interviewer as a former journalist working now as a communications expert.
Elizabeth Osho is an excellent communicator and a result-oriented strategist and public relations professional with proven expertise in brand management and strategy, project management, digital marketing, content creation and lifestyle consultancy. She has a proven record of producing results in a fast-paced, target driven environment. She is able to balance multiple brand enhancement demands, having worked with brands Netflix, Disney, Marvel Studio, Unilever, Moet, and Chandon South African Tourism, TOMS, Bacardi to improve brand recognition and drive profitability within strict deadlines. She has worked on large scale brand influencing for Lancôme and Maggi and MTN.
She is an author and also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Civilization and literature from The University of Birmingham. She has won several awards for her prowess in the field of Public Relations, and also has been consistently names “100 Most Inspiring Women’ by both Leading Ladies African and The Guardian Nigeria
Elizabeth Oshoba – She is a professional boxer and the First Female Nigerian To Win A World Boxing Title. She is also the current African and Commonwealth boxing champion in the featherweight division. She participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the Featherweight division and won a silver medal .
She hopes to inspire more girls and women to take up boxing and other sports, and to break the stereotypes and barriers that limit them. She also plans to defend her title and unify the belts in her weight class.
Eniola Olanrewaju – She is popularly known as Korty EO, she is a fashion entrepreneur, model, YouTuber and a film-maker. Her storytelling style is incredibly engaging and relatable, making her content enjoyable for viewers of all ages, especially within the gen-zs’.
She was recently featured in the Victoria Secrets World Tour where they documented various sizes and inclusivity in the world of fashion for women. She was also selected by The NBA to represent Africa at the NBA All-Star Weekend 2024.
Fatima Askira – Satomi — She is the Country Lead of the Malala Fund and is responsible for overseeing the Fund’s Nigeria programme, including coordinating, strategizing and implementing the strategic objectives of the organization in the country.
She is also the founder and Executive Director of Borno Women Development Initiative (BOWDI), an NGO based in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, that works to empower women and youth through education, advocacy, food security, and protection activities to become active participants in promoting peace and tolerance.
Favour Ofili — She is a track and field sprinter who shattered both the national and African records in the women’s 300m at the 2024 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, making her the 10th fastest woman in history over this distance.
She is also the 2019 African Games silver medallist in the 400 meters. She also won silver for the 200 meters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She was the 2021 World Under-20 Championship bronze medallist in the 200 m.
Florence San – She is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and lead strategy consultant at Ren San and Co. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the firm and leading initiatives that empower HNIs, SMEs and multinationals to achieve peak performance. Her expertise spans across brand management, risk analysis, business expansion, and project management.
She currently serves as the only Nigerian British woman on the advisory board for the prestigious university college of london (UCL) helping them develop the upcoming business school.
Folake Olowofoyeku — Folake Olowofoyeku, a talented Nigerian actress and musician, who made history as the first Nigerian to act Nigerian on Prime Time Television in the American sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola. Since September 2019, she has charmed audiences with her character ‘Abishola’ in the hit series that beautifully tells the story of a Nigerian family,
Her excellent delivery earned her a nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series at the NAACP Image Awards 2021. In 2018, she won the Best Actress in a Fashion Film at the CineFashion Film Awards and Best Actress at the Reelheart International Film and Screenplay Festival.
Gbemisola Abudu – She is the NBA Africa Vice President & Country Head of NBA Nigeria, where she is responsible for leading the NBA’s basketball and business development efforts in Nigeria, including grassroots programming for youth, elite player development, relationships with current and prospective marketing partners, media, and merchandise partners, and social responsibility efforts that elevate the lives of Nigerians through basketball.
In her role, she was recently recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Women in Sports in the World. She has also been recognized as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD)’s Global top 100 under 40 in the category of activism & humanitarian for her philanthropic work and the impact of the BMGA Fellows Program in human capital development in Africa.
Hannatu Musawa — Hannatu Musawa is Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and Creative economy. Upon her appointment, she unveiled an eight point-plan that focuses on utilizing skills development, policy acceleration, and strategic partnerships, to propel Nigeria’s arts, culture, and creative economy to new heights.
One of her legal impacts include playing a crucial role as one of the lawyers on the prosecution’s leading team in the 2003 Presidential Election Petition between General Muhammadu Buhari and General Olusegun Obasanjo. As a newspaper columnist, she amplified the voices of marginalized Nigerians, using her platform to advocate for peace, justice, and the rights of the voiceless.
Hauwa Lawal — She is an award winning Nigerian content creator and brand influencer known for telling stories with humor. From anonymously creating content on the side, Hauwa took a bold step by leaving her prestigious digital marketing role in a tech company to fully embrace the world of content creation.
Driven by a desire for intentional living, she unveiled her face during the launch of her debut comic book, ‘Hauwa’s Madhouse’. The award winning creator continues to inspire others to follow their passions and be true to themselves.
Hilda Effiong Bassey (Aka Hilda Baci) — She is the CEO of My Food By Hilda. She is a Nigerian chef, restaurateur and the former holder of the Guinness World Record for marathon cooking (Cook-athon) with 93 hours 11 minutes.
She has contributed to both the culinary world and representing brands all over the world. With a desire to help individuals grow, she kicked off her culinary masterclass where she teaches over 300 recipes and provides content creation guides for them.
Hon. Bolaji Dada — She is the current Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Lagos State. She has worked extensively in Public Service with over 20 years’ experience at both Local and State Government levels as an Executive.
She was a former member of the Lagos State Sports Commission, where she served as the Executive Secretary, Apapa Local Government and received an award as the best Vice-Chairman during her tenure as the Local Government Vice-Chairman.
Ifeoma Nwobu – She is the COO of Sendstack, a mobility-tech startup focused on building digital infrastructure for last-mile logistics starting within Africa. She is an entrepreneur with over 5 years of experience across industries like fashion and technology.
As the COO of Sendstack, she has led the adoption and growth of the product to over 5,000 users and has overseen the processing of over 30,000 deliveries and counting. With her unique background and skillset, she is passionate about creating new approaches to solving problems for SMEs across Africa as well as driving innovation and growth within the logistics-tech space. She is passionate about building high-functioning teams and plans to build more strategic businesses for Africans globally.
Inya Ajanaku — She is the Co-founder of Aya Care, the viral period care brand with a mission to provide comfortable and affordable sanitary pads to women across Nigeria.
She is also a high Performance Computing Consultant at Chevron and has worked as a volunteer teenage teacher and mentor for over 15 years at her local church. She is passionate about addressing social issues such as literacy support and period poverty.
Jumoke Shotanwa — She is the Founder of Kwasee Style Company which was recently nominated for an award by La Mode Magazine as the fashion stylist brand of the year and has also been recognized as one of the top 5 bridal stylists in Nigeria. She is the Co-founder of The Lagos Wardrobe & Exhibition (TLWE), promoting upcoming fashion creatives in Lagos.
With her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering talent and innovation, she continues to leave an indelible imprint on the fashion industry, inspiring countless individuals and shaping the future of Nigerian fashion.
Jennifer Awirigwe – She is the CEO of The Fin Tribe, a women’s community that’s focused on empowering women through building wealth, smart investments, and savings. She is also a certified financial instructor and chartered stockbroker, popularly known as ‘Financial Jennifer’. With her multiple financial qualifications, her women’s finance community flourishes with over 5000 members.
Jennifer achieved a milestone by spearheading Nigeria’s first finance fair, themed ‘Challenge Yourself.’ Drawing a crowd of over 6,000 women from across Nigeria and Africa, the event was a dynamic platform that facilitated learning, networking, and access to tailored financial services. Her vision is a future where more empowered women make informed financial choices and cultivate robust savings and investment portfolios, and she sees this through with her educational initiatives and user-friendly platform.
Joy Eghebi – She is a business coach and serves as an accountability partner . She is also a seasoned digital marketing expert with an impressive career spanning over 9 years. She is the ceo of jacbell Group of companies as well as the marketing manager of Jaclloyd Nigeria Limited.
She has an outstanding reputation of helping small business owners increase their sales revenue within 50-100 days, and she has helped over 100,000 small business owners.
Katja Schiller Nwator —She is the Senior Program Officer of Global Policy & Advocacy at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She is also the Founder of Philanthropy Circuit, a media and research organization focused on creating a new narrative to influence the growth and understanding of philanthropy in Africa.
She has led Philanthropy Circuit, to growth by supporting donor agencies, foundations, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropists working to address the sustainable development goals. She has developed in-country programme and funding strategies and delivery plans, led local implementation efforts, and facilitated multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborations.
Keke Hammond — She is the CEO of Road14 Studios, a creative media haven that develops and nurtures young African talent and creates African content for the young audience. She is also the Chief Operations Officer at FlyTime Music Festival, a highly anticipated festival that features an unparalleled lineup of local and international artists, delivering an unforgettable musical experience.
Keke is an experienced Creative Director and has an acclaimed history in Film Theatre, Concerts, Event management, radio, and film production. With Road14 Studios, she is dedicated to ensuring that the African child is adequately and correctly represented on local and global media platforms. Most recently, some of Road14’s young talent starred in Iwájú, the Disney animated film set in futuristic Lagos.
Kike Oniwinde Agoro – She is the Founder and CEO of BYP Network, a multi-million-pound company focused on advancing the careers of Black professionals around the world. Kike was driven by her desire to address the workplace’s diversity deficit. This, compounded by limited opportunities for social and professional networking among black corporate professionals, inspired her to launch the BYP Network.
Since its inception, the platform has grown to an impressive 150,000 members and has attracted over 1600 corporate clients, including Meta, Morgan Stanley, Sainsbury’s, and Gartner. Through mentorship, thought-provoking events, and industry-specific insights, BYP Network has empowered over 48,000 members to enhance their skills, fostering a robust network for all its members.
Lamide Elizabeth — She is the Co-founder of the Professional Elle Network–PEN. She was honored as EY UK Corporate Finance Woman of the Year in 2019 and selected for YouTube’s Black Creator Class in 2022.
She is particularly devoted to creating a community of young women with expertise in finance, wealth, and property management, and through social media, has emerged as a trusted authority in the wealth creation space. With a dedicated following exceeding 140,000 across platforms including YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, she continues to share her valuable insights that garner engagement from her audience.
Layal Jade Tinubu — She is the Founder and Managing Director of Noella Foundation, a non-profit private organization dedicated to addressing issues in education, employability, hunger, and healthcare, among vulnerable and marginalized women, children, and young adults. She is also the founder and CEO of Tots Toys, a store for recreational and educational resources for children.
With the Noella Foundation, Layla is particularly focused on tackling pressing health issues like Sickle Cell Anemia and Maternal mortality. In 2023, the Noella Foundation held a sickle cell round table, with key players and experts to outline an action plan to mitigate the problems faced by people living with sickle cell.
Lillian O Paul — She is the Founder of The Beauty Precinct, an organization that provides makeover products and services for fashion editorials, bridal, TV/film production, and makeup artistry training. She is also a talented and highly sought-after makeup artist in Africa known especially for her professionalism. Some of Lilian’s artistic creations have been featured in acclaimed films like ‘God Calling’ and prestigious fashion runways like Lagos Bridal Fashion Week 2018, Africa Next Few Models, and Arise Fashion Show 2020.
She has contributed to compelling television commercials and campaigns, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and sought-after professional. Her exceptional talent as a makeup artist garnered her recognition with the esteemed Best Makeup Artist award at the AFRICA VIEWERS CHOICE AWARDS 2020 AMVCA.
Linda Iheme — She is the Founder of Vantage Migration, an organization that helps university graduates secure international scholarships. Being an outstanding student with several awards at home and abroad, she teaches graduate students how to search, prepare, and apply for international scholarships, or study loans for Ph.D., or Masters, irrespective of their discipline, grade, or location.
With a strong passion for education, Linda has funded several Nigerian-based initiatives, one of such being a STEM Lab and Classroom project through the NGO —Cleverminds Educational Foundation, for orphans and rural children in the Iyara community, Delta state. She also creates content across her social media platforms, sharing tips for students working towards international scholarships.
Maimuna Ummi Abdullah — She is a personal development and mental health coach and a master practitioner of Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Popularly known as Coach Diddi, she is an optimum result coach and has facilitated training, workshops, retreats, coaching, and counseling sessions in both the public and private sectors as well as schools. She is a motivational speaker and an advocate of mental health awareness, Girl child education, and women empowerment.
Maryam O Belgore – She is the founder of Mob Foundation, an NGO dedicated to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality. She is also a serial entrepreneur, with ventures like Mareebel Events, Styling, and Interiors under her belt. Beyond entrepreneurship, Maryam is also a philanthropist, podcaster, and motivational speaker.
Through Mob Foundation, she has touched the lives of millions across Nigeria, providing essential support such as food, financial assistance, and sanitary supplies to students and girls in need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her foundation went above and beyond, offering relief to vulnerable families and continuing its advocacy for women and girls. Maryam has been recognized by several prominent groups for her outstanding service to humanity.
Maryam Booth — She is an actress and model, best known for her role in The Milkmaid (film) (2020), which was Nigeria’s representative for the best international feature category at the Academy Awards. For her role as ‘Zainab’ in the film, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Her notable performance in a film directed by Desmond Obviagele awarded her the title of Best Supporting Actress during the 2017 edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). Maryam starred in the 2023 Amazon Prime Series, ‘Beyond The Veil’, a drama series that followed the lives of five northern women as they navigated the ups and downs of modern life.
Mercy Johnson Okojie — She is an actress, film director, and film producer. A multi-award-winning actress, Mercy Johnson shot to stardom with popular movies like’The Maid,’ ‘Hustlers’ ‘Baby Oku in America,’ and ‘War in the Palace’. She has also been in partnerships with leading Nigerian brands like Power Oil, Yale, Tiger Foods, and Good Mama Detergent. She is the executive producer of MercyJohnsonOkojieTV, where she recently released movies like Double Doors, and Dorcas the Prophetess. She is currently on set for the movie ‘The Boy Is Good’, and she has recently featured in the movie ‘When the Wind Blows’.
She continues to thrive in the film industry making her debut as a producer with the 2020’ epic film, The Legend of Inikpi, a story of the real-life historical Igala princess, Inikpi. This movie broke a record as the highest-grossing epic film in Nollywood. Her recent role as ‘Awele’ in Battle on Buka Street earned her the Best Actress In A Comedy/TV Series award at the 2023 AMVCAs.
Michelle Alozie – She is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Nigerian Women’s Football team, Super Falcons, and on the Women’s Soccer League team, Houston Dash. She is also a cancer research technician at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
Asides for representing Nigeria in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Michelle is also known for her fierce passion in helping others, especially in helping children battling cancer. She specializes in the study of acute leukemia.
Mojibade Sosanya — She is an award-winning TV host, presenter, and the Lead Compere at the Mojibade Show. She is also the founder of the SHELL community, an initiative established to create a safe space for single Christian women.
A multi-talented professional, Mojibade has hosted prestigious events for organizations, some of which include the United Nations, AFREXIM Bank, Lagos Presidential Banquet in honor of Former President Muhammadu Buhari. She is renowned for skillfully moderating high-impact fireside chats, interviews, and panel discussions across diverse subject matters, most recently concerning how women are viewed in society.
Moyosore Odunfa-Akinbo — She is the Founder and Head Chef of Atije Experience. Through Atije Experience, she passionately tells the Nigerian story and curates unforgettable culinary experiences by showcasing a diverse range of Nigerian cuisines.
In 2022, she emerged winner in the inaugural season of The Kitchen Nigeria, a television competition featuring restaurateurs demonstrating their ability to establish and create and operate a successful business. She is an alumna of the African Food Changemakers fellowship and constantly impacts change by organizing dining events and culinary experiences, some of which particularly celebrates women.
Nabila Aguele – She is a lawyer, public policy expert, and gender advocate. Within the public sector, her work has focused on sustainable development at the intersection of fiscal policy, social impact; and data and narrative-based advocacy to shift norms. Nabila has played a pivotal role in advocating for gender-responsive fiscal policies and budgets, notably contributing to the establishment of Nigeria’s gender-responsive budget.
Her extensive experience includes serving as a Special Adviser to Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, where she co-led the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiatives (SRGI), and as a Technical/Special Assistant to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Budget & National Planning. She holds positions on several influential boards, including Women for Women International, INSEAD, and Girl Rising, where she serves as Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee. Additionally, she contributes to Talentx Africa as a member of its Advisory Board, focusing on empowering filmmakers and investors through technology.
Nene Bejide – She is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Blanche Aigle Communications, a leading Marketing Communications Agency redefining public relations (PR) and Brand Communications with strategy and innovation. Renowned in the Communications industry, Nene and her team hold a proven track record of delivering successful marketing and brand communication campaigns and projects for local and international brands in Tech, lifestyle, FMCG, and the corporate sector. In 2023, she led a highly successful media campaign for the record-breaking Hilda Baci Cookathon. Nene’s stellar performance has earned her prestigious recognitions, such as being selected as a jury member for The SABRE Awards 2024. In 2022, Blanche Aigle Communications was honored as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing SMEs. Beyond her work in communications, she is the Co-Founder and Director of the In-Service of Humanity (ISOH) Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on improving societal welfare and health.
Nkiru Achukwu Ayemere — She is the Founder and Creative director of Zephans and Co, a contemporary African fashion brand, synonymous with elegance, quality, and empowerment.
She recently featured Zephans and Co at the Pure London Show Festival of Fashion. In addition to being the founder of Zephans and Co. She is the executive director of Zephans and Co Garment Factory, which oversees bulk garment production for local fashion designers and empowers women of low-income backgrounds with skill acquisition in tailoring and design.
Nora Awolowo — She is the Founder of Rixel Studios Lagos, a full-service production company. A talented film director, cinematographer, documentary photographer, producer, and creative director, dedicated to telling African stories with depth infused, she started out taking pictures on her phone.
Her documentaries, Nigeria: The Debut, Baby Blues, and Herself are critically acclaimed with Nigeria: The Debut winning the 2023 AMVCA award for Best Documentary. Some of Rixel Studios’ film projects have graced the Paris Film Festival and the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival. Nora has worked with international brands like Netflix, FIFA, FTX, and was the lead photographer for Netflix’s hit show, Far From Home.
Olori ‘Ivie’ Emiko-Atuwatse — She is the Queen of the Warri Kingdom, a social entrepreneur particularly dedicated to education and capacity building for women and children. She is also the founder of Abba’s Jewels, a community of over 60 women who, together, raise funds to impact the community through outreaches, food drives, and hospital, and prison visits. She sits on the boards of the Wells Property Development Company, the Wells Carlton, and Wells Bakehouse, and is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to create value through enterprise.
She has provided hundreds of children with scholarships, including a 2022 scheme for 100 children from the Nana Model Girls College Warri, Warri, Delta State. Under her health initiatives, Olori Atuwatse III has promoted access to free healthcare, especially for the poor, and in December 2021, she launched the Wuwu Ore medical and welfare outreach, focused on women, children, and the elderly.. She also convened The Love Drive, a free yard sale that started in Lagos, Nigeria.
Oluwafunke Adeoye — She is the Founder of Hope Behind Bars Africa, a social impact organization working to close the justice gap in Nigeria using legal aid, evidence-based advocacy, data, and technology. She also launched the ‘The Inside-Out Centre’ early this year to break the cycle of reoffending & recidivism in society.
Over the years, she has acquired remarkable recognitions like One Young World Ambassador in 2021, Top 50 Lawyers Changing the World for Better, Commonwealth Scholar in 2023, University of Oxford, 2023 Winner Waislitz Global Citizen Prize, among others. She has led her organization to provide direct support to over 7500 individuals within 5 years. She also co-authored learning resources for pro bono lawyers in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and built ‘Made in Corrections’, Nigeria’s first social enterprise behind bars that uses upskilling to reduce recidivism.
Oluwagbemisola Okunlola – She is the CEO of Alonuko Bridal, a UK-based fashion brand that creates iconic bridal pieces. She is also a mentor for Project BICEY, a free mentoring service operating in Southwark, administered and run by young people. Since the inception of her brand Alonuko, it.
Known for its intricately hand-designed embroideries and perfect matching illusion tulles, especially for women of color, Gbemi’s Alonuko has been internationally recognized by Vogue, Insider, Huffington Post, and Essence to name a few. She designed ‘Orange is the New Black’ and ‘The Color Purple’ actress Danielle Brooks’ stunning wedding ensemble.
Oluwaseyi Moejoh – She is the Founder of U-recycle Initiative Africa, an award-winning youth-led organization, focused on advancing environmental education, circular economy and climate action. She is also the co-founder of African Climate Story, a space for young African climate activists to tell stories that influence policy change.
She has been featured on numerous media outlets worldwide, including CNN and National Geographic. In addition to this, She has spoken on platforms across the world, including the United Nations, Financial Times, and One Young World. She is a contributing Editor for OH-Wake Magazine, which spotlights climate stories from youths’ perspectives globally. Oluwaseyi stands as the executive coach of MULTIPLY YOUR IMPAQT, a platform where she trains hundreds of young leaders across 20+ countries with fundamental tools, resources, and knowledge to grow their initiatives, win grants and maximize their impact towards solving pressing global issues. One of her numerous accolades is The 2022 Diana Award, the most prestigious accolade a young person can receive for their social action and humanitarian work.
Omolade Oshinubi — She is the Creative Director of Lekki Garment Factory, a mass manufacturing company that produces branded clothing. She is also the founder, speaker, and host of ‘Rich People-Rich Nation Foundation’ which celebrates the richness of Nigerian Expertise. She has a Master’s in Fashion Business from the International Fashion Academy (IFA) in Paris.
She owns and runs the Lade store, with two fashion retail stores in Lagos and an online fashion retail store in Texas. With Lekki Garment Factory, Omolade has made production seamless for designers, providing a production solution for designers at all stages (conceptualization, sample production, and final production), allowing designers or fashion houses to focus on their core, which is designing.
Omowunmi ‘Mimi’ Onalaja — She is the Founder of The Mimi Onalaja Collective, an #WearNigerian initiative created to foster the local fashion scene Movement.
She is a Presenter and Correspondent on VVIP Events, hosts the game Show, Play to Win, is a featured Traveler on ‘Destinations Africa’, and a guest host on the daily news show ‘EL Now’. The stylish presenter has a column on StyleVitae – ‘For The Life of Mimi’, where she shares her awesome style and wonderful experiences.
Oneykachi Iroha – She is the CEO of Beauty Atelier, a multifaceted business specializing in semi-permanent makeup, Brow Grooming, Eyelash Extension, and the production of Medical Grade Products. Not content with just providing beauty solutions, she’s also grooming the next generation of beauty professionals through her state-of-the-art semi-permanent makeup academy.
Beyond her contributions to the beauty industry, she is also a strong advocate for miscarriage and depression awareness. By being open about her experiences, she has served as an inspiration to many, encouraging an environment where discussions about miscarriages and depression are embraced and supported. Through her advocacy, she’s spreading awareness and showing that there’s hope, even in tough times.
Oyin Solebo – She is the Founder of Techstars, a global investment business that provides access to capital, one-on-one mentorship, and customized programming for early-stage entrepreneurs. She is also the Managing director of the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator, the largest pre-seed investor in the world.
A global speaker on startup-focused topics and African entrepreneurship, she is an active voice and driving force in the tech scene, and actively advocates for diversity and inclusion within the tech industry, encouraging more women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in entrepreneurship and investment. She recently held the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator 2nd Demo Day in Lagos for early-stage African start-ups.
Oyinkansola Fawehinmi — She is the author of So Far, So Foza, a memoir that explores her coming of age. She is also an award-winning entertainment lawyer and management consultant. She is a highly recognized figure in the entertainment industry home and abroad, which has earned her a seat as a Voting Member of the Grammy Recording Academy.
In her debut book, So Far, So Foza, Oyinkansola highlighted, in great depth, her experience working as a young woman in the entertainment industry. Her book which touched on instances of ageism and sexism opened a medium for women in the industry to have open conversations about these issues. She has orchestrated high-profile synchronization licenses to industry giants like Netflix, The Ellen Show, NFL, and Coldplay to name a few. With the Afrobeats genre growing faster than ever before in the global market, Oyinkansola has become a loud voice for stricter copyright laws in the African Entertainment industry to protect the creative rights of artists.
Pelumi Nubi – She is a UK-based Nigerian travel content creator and global traveler. She is also a solo digital nomad in the travel space and has traveled to over 80 countries across 6 continents. She has explored road trips like the Lagos to Ghana route twice, explored Namibia for two weeks, and has also driven from London to Lake Como, Italy. These experiences served as a test run for her London to Lagos solo road trip which is expected to be completed by March 2024.
Her planned route includes crossing from England to France, then heading to Spain and Morocco. After that, she will travel through the West Sahara Desert, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin, and finally reaching Nigeria, with Lagos as her ultimate destination. Pelumi’s trip has gained attention from travel enthusiasts globally and Nigerians. She continues to inspire with her grit and determination.
Prudent Gabriel – She is the Founder of Prudential Atelier and Prudential Fashion Academy. She is also one of the most sought-after Fashion stylists in Nigeria. Her brand has caught the eyes of most fashion enthusiasts, as it is known for its uniqueness in bed-spoke bridals, suits, and gowns collection. Her outstanding styling techniques gave birth to ‘prudent styling’.
Her Fashion school has produced over 150 fashion designers with life-changing testimonies. Prudential Fashion Academy has won multiple fashion industry awards including the Academy of the Year at La Mode Magazine Awards in 2020 and the Academy of the Year at Achievers Awards in 2021. She recently launched her first collection of the year 2024 dresses, called the ‘DAZZLE COLLECTION RTW’.
Rahanatu Ahmed — She is the CEO of Turaren Wuta By Ray, an award-winning incense brand in Nigeria. Starting out with one shop in Kaduna, Rahana has contributed to transforming society’s perception of the ‘Turari’ incense, with innovative strategies and a dogged entrepreneurial approach.
Also a philanthropist at heart, she feeds over 700 families annually via fundraising on her brand platform for Ramadan. The Turaren Wura by Ray brand has outlets in Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, and Abuja, and recently launched the Kano and Abuja Outlets.
Rita Uwayah Ginikachukwu — She is the CEO of Neekahs Luxury Beads and a content creator. Known for her comical and entertaining viral content, she emerged as the 2023 winner of the Best Online Content Creator among several heavyweights in a poll organized by NXT Honours, a platform dedicated to celebrating extraordinary individuals across Africa.
She is also the creative director of Ekiema Wellness Center, and Cherry waist trainers. She has influenced brands in different industries, ranging from Health and wellness to fashion brands, jewelry, hair,as well as travel agencies.
Rukayat Shittu — She is the Youngest Member of the State House of Assembly representing Owode/Onire Constituency Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State. She is also a women’s rights Advocate, a fashionpreneur, and a journalist. She also serves as Chairperson House Committee on Youth, sports, information, and Tourism. As the chairperson, she is responsible for the annual budget defense of the Ministries, Department, and Agencies under her committee jurisdiction.
In her commitment to providing access to quality education in Kwara state, through the provision of quality educational infrastructure, she recently announced the completion of the upgrade and renovation of Asa LGEA Primary School, and handed it over to the community. She also made arrangements for educational materials and resources to aid the learning environment for students of the community. She also recently partnered with UBA, under her office to facilitate financial access and inclusion of at least 2000 people from Owode Onire constituency.
Salihat Rahaman — She is the Founder of Abaya Lagos, an Arab-inspired luxury fashion brand for women. She is also a practicing architect and has worked on notable projects such as Eko Atlantic City, International Convention Center, Abuja and Standard Chartered Bank renovation project, among others.
As a practicing architect, Salihat and her sister Salamat, launched Abaya Lagos as a hobby and then built it into a full-fledged business. Abaya Lagos created the remarkable costumes worn by one of Nollywood’s most iconic characters, Eniola Salami in King of Boys, and have been recognized to depict female power and strength.
Sarah Adekola — She is an influencer and social media content creator on finances, money management, and wealth creation. She has also amassed a large following on her social accounts due to her consistency in sharing finance, and travel tips. She is a presenter and a global travel expert who appeals to travel enthusiasts seeking to travel the world and explore different countries.
Her content tips have been featured on media outlets like RTE.ie, BreakingNews.ie, The Sun, Daily Mail Online, The Irish Sun, New York Post, The Mirror, The Independent, and lots more.
Sarah Oboh – She is popularly known as Dope Caesar, she is a full-time DJ who broke out into the industry from her viral appearances at the Obi’s house. She went viral through short videos of her creating fun DJ mixes and uploading them on her social media pages. Through this, she gradually grew her audience and worked on projects that further broadened her reach and access to other artists and DJs.
On one of her sets at DJ Obi’s ‘Obi’s House’ event in Lagos, she cooked up one of the smoothest transitions ever that set the internet on fire. She also recently facilitated a session at The Sound Lab workshop, an audio accelerator program with the principal goal of equipping independent and fast-rising female creatives to thrive in the music industry.
Shaffy Bello – She is an acclaimed actor who skillfully embodies the essence of authentic African narratives in Nollywood. With over three decades in the Nigerian entertainment industry, she has consistently proven herself as a formidable presence.
Some of Shaffy’s incredible performances can be seen in notable films and TV series, like the Netflix hits The Black Book, Chief Daddy, Elesin Oba, and Shanty Town. Shaffy’s performance as Iya Oloja in the cinematic adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival 2022, garnered critical acclaim. In 2023, Shaffy launched the first edition of her masterclass, Shaffy Bello: What I Know, with over 200 participants, in her bid to empower young people in their pursuit of success.
Sharon Nwosu – Sharon Nwosu is a digital content creator and a trained aeronautical engineer. With more than 100,000 followers on Instagram and 47,000 subscribers on YouTube, her content focuses on faith, skincare, haircare, and fashion.
She isn’t just about numbers; she’s about making a difference. She talks openly about her faith and helps others find their way by answering important questions with references from the Bible and sharing her personal experiences. She’s like a lighthouse, leading believers through the storms of life towards a brighter tomorrow.
Stella Ndekile — She is the Founder and CEO of Nuban Beauty Ltd, a leading beauty brand created to suit African skin and climate. She is also the founder of St. Nika apparel, a clothing brand especially for pregnant women and nursing mothers.
A business development strategist and serial entrepreneur that has created innovative solutions to real problems faced by African women, Stella launched her first book, Success Uncharted in 2023. The book is a transformative guide for aspiring and existing business owners, providing a practical roadmap for success in the entrepreneurial world, and she shared tested-and-tried tips, personal insights and invaluable strategies. Additionally, she has created a resource bank of courses, training and one-on-one sessions for entrepreneurs.
Sunmisola Agbebi — She is a gospel singer and songwriter. She has released worship gospels like ‘He’s Alive’, ‘Amazing’, ‘Closer Than Close’, and others but came into the limelight in November 2020 with her hit single ‘Koseunti’, a reworked version of an old Christ Apostolic Church Worship song. She is also well known for her hit single like ‘my daddy, my daddy’ a modified version featuring the original singer Lawrence Oyor, recorded at her live music concert titled ‘As It Is In Heaven’ (AIIIH).
Another hit single recorded live at AIIIH is ‘B’ola’, released in 2023, featuring the gospel singer Sola Allyson. She released yet another hit single ‘Oba Ni’ featuring minister Nosa in December 2023. She recently ministered at the just concluded ‘WinePress2024’, and continues to deliver edifying spirit-filled vocals spreading widely in Nigeria and beyond.
Tamunodiepiriye Nyingierefaka— She is the Founder and Creative director of Children’s fashion brands, Arie and Arin. She is also the founder of Arie and Arin photography studio and Love by Nenes, a bridal atelier curating company.The Arie and Arin brand is especially known for its dazzling ‘princess’ dresses for young girls. From Disney inspired ensembles, to original pieces, Tamunodiepiriye has created outstanding works of art that always puts a smile on the faces of her young clientele.
She is a strong believer in developing skills in children and was a business mentor at 2023 More than Lenses education summer camp, a media and art summer camp for children, designed to foster creative talent at their young age.
Temilola Adepetun — She is the Founder of SKLD (formerly School Kits), a company that provides educational and office supplies, garment manufacturing, and branded product procurement services. She is also on the board of directors of Courage Education Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality education to the Nigerian child.
She started SKLD from her son’s back-to-school list in 2000. She realized the need for a one-stop-shop for all school supplies, and created it. SKLD has now grown into a thriving company with private labeling options and stores around the country.
Temitope Olowoniyan — She is a TV presenter at TVC Communications, co-hosting a live breakfast show called Wake Up Nigeria. She is also an actor, producer, and head content creator at Bayla Studios. Additionally, she runs her accessory brand, Jewels By Tee.
Temitope’s first major role was Aisha Banjo in the Nollywood blockbuster, King of Boys. She has since starred in other Nollywood hits, like Sista, among others. She produced a short film monologue titled Lalacé, the Hausa word for ‘Rotten’ and released it on March 8 to commemorate International Women’s Day. The purpose of the short film was to draw more attention to the persisting issue of Child Marriage in Northern Nigeria.
Tinuola Oladeji — She is the CEO of TSmart Concepts, an indigenous fashion company that focuses on making affordable yet stylish African-inspired pieces.
Tinuola’s goal with her fashion brand is to empower Black women at the pinnacle of their careers and businesses to embrace the richness of local fabrics for their clothing, making a bold statement by celebrating the authenticity and diversity of Black fashion. Being environmentally conscious, Tinuola is also an advocate against fabric waste, preaching loudly for a more sustainable and eco-friendly fashion industry. In November 2023, Tinuola announced her ‘The Power Woman Collection’, a collection that celebrates the top female executives in Africa.
Tobi Hamilton – She is the Founder and Managing Director of THE HOUSE, a leading social restaurant with an innovative concept.
A creative entrepreneur and business professional with a wealth of experience across a range of sectors, Tobi’s innovative and disruptive approach and strategies with The House has earned her the titles of ‘Queen of hospitality’ and the ‘Creative madam’. In 2023, she was announced as one of the facilitators and mentors of the In Her Bag Business Fund program powered by Flutterwave, an immersive 5-day training programme for female entrepreneurs.
Tolani Tayo-Osikoya – She is the founder of Diary of A Kitchen Lover, an online food company with more than two million followers across platforms. She is also a certified cuisine chef and blogger.
Her food blog started with her sharing food photos and complimentary recipes but has now grown into a strong business with simplified recipe books, kitchen organization, cookwares, equipment and general lifestyle. Also internationally renowned, Sarah was recognized by the African Food Network as one of the Most Influential People in the African Food Industry. She is also the Nigerian ambassador of Kitchen equipment brand, Buchymix.
Tolulope Tunde-Ajiboye – She is the Founder of Blooming Amazons Ministry (BLAM), a faith-based organization empowering women to discover and walk in their purpose.
Through BLAM, she passionately hosts impactful conferences, mentoring young women to excel in life and their fields, fostering a culture of mentorship. Tolulope also leads The 2705 Events Company, delivering remarkable event experiences to clients. Recognized for her leadership in youth and women’s development, she received an Honorary Doctorate in 2023 and was named a Next Generation Female Leader in 2018. Her books, “Undaunted: The Undiluted Tales of a Yield Woman” and “Bloom: Thriving through Adversity,” inspire and challenge women to fulfill their purpose.
Tomike Adeoye — She is a media personality, TV host, and actress. She is also a lifestyle, events, and reality YouTube content creator who is passionate about storytelling, which solely influences her videos.
She is also the Founder of the Tomike Adeoye Foundation. Known for creating down-to-earth content that endears her to her audience, she began her career as a radio and TV presenter before landing her debut acting role on the popular show ‘Jenifa’s Diary’. Tomike As a host for EbonyLife TV, Tomike has hosted red carpet shows for VVIP events on EbonyLife TV. With the Tomike Adeoye foundation, she has launched outreach initiatives for midwives, mothers and young children in underserved communities.
Tosin Samuel — She is a chef, content creator, and the talent behind the TSpices Kitchen account on social media, famous for its viral, delicious recipes. Her posts resonate deeply with her 1 million + followers, sparking lively engagement on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
She has also collaborated with big names such as UBA, Domino’s Pizza, and Cold Stone Creamery further highlighting her influence. Her recipe book is titled Nigerian Cooking Made Easy, and is critically acclaimed for the simple yet innovative recipes that make Nigerian food easily available and pleasurable.
Toyin Kolawole — She is the CEO of Iya Foods, a food manufacturing brand that creates gluten-free, innovative African superfoods.
Toyin started Iya Foods in a bid to introduce West African flavors to the African palates by spicing up traditional American dishes like pancakes, muffins with flavorful West African ingredients. The main ingredient of her superfoods is Cassava, a key export in Nigeria, and she works with over 10,000 farmers in Nigeria, ensuring that they’re paid fairly and that they are aware of how their products are being used. In November 2023, Iya foods launched a multimillion dollar 37,000 square foot manufacturing facility, and it is the first black-woman owned facility of that size in the United States.
Tracy Ajoku Uwom — She is the Founder of St Tracy, a luxury jewelry brand with stores located in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ghana. She is also a business structure coach who helps SME owners create a hands-off but highly efficient structure for business success.
Tracy ‘diamonds’ has created valuable and result-oriented training resources that include seminars, personalized sessions, staff training seminars and courses, that help business owners create a highly successful business. Most recently, her Organize Your Business Workshop has garnered a lot of positive reviews, pushing her to facilitate another online edition of the course.
Ugonna Ejiogu — She is the Founder of Mitya’s Food Diary, a social media platform she uses to showcase the incredible variety, depth, and cultural richness of the Nigerian food scene. She is also a food tourist particularly focused on exploring the diversity of Nigerian cuisine.
With Mitya’s Food Diary, Ugonna has conducted insightful reviews of over 200 restaurants and hotels, providing helpful information for locals and tourists. In recognition of her significant contributions to the tourism industry, Ugonna was honored as the ‘Tourism Personality of the 1st Quarter of 2022’ by Let’s Go Nigeria. She was also recognized as one of ‘Africa’s 100 Most Influential Travel & Hospitality Influencers 2022’ by Ranks Africa.
Winifred Nwania — She is a TV host, author, and founder of Zeelicious foods, a platform that develops and showcases African cuisine. She is also the host of the DSTV cooking show, My Naija Plate.
Leaving her 9-to-5 job, to follow her passion for cooking, Winifred started a YouTube channel in a bid to present authentic African recipes and elevate the representation of Nigerian food. The channel is almost at a million subscribers on YouTube, with several thousands of followers across other social media platforms. In 2021, she joined the DSTV channel, Honey TV, to host her own food show. Winifred has also authored the cookbook, Winnie’s Sizzling Selections, further solidifying her goal to make African cooking accessible to everyone around the world.
Wunmi Olufeko — She is the Creative Director of Design For Love (DFL Rocks), a brand she uses to promote various African-inspired products including outfits, bags, and accessories to a global audience.
She started Design for love (DFL) in 2004 and it was borne out of her desire to infuse her love for arts into designing classy outfits for women. She has exhibited her designs at the Pure London Fashion Exhibition, United Kingdom, International Trade Centre Women Vendors and Exhibition Forum, Mexico; the Istanbul, Ghana and Lagos Fashion and Design week.
Yetunde Bankole Bernard – She is the Executive Director of Finchglow Group, a Group of 6 companies in the downstream sector of the Aviation, Travel and Tour Industry. She is also the founder of the YBB company, a personal brand and personality development agency.
Also known as the ‘Identity coach’, Yetunde is a staunch advocate of maximizing abilities and thus created the RECALL initiatives, an identity coaching solution that includes; the Recall for Men Conference, the first unbiased city center conference for men in Africa, and the Recall resource—Workbook, Ebooks, Podcasts, Audio CDs and Events on building self awareness, self esteem and confidence, and capacity.
Zainab Buba Galadima — She is the CEO of Bringing The Table, a community and business development initiative that focuses on youth empowerment through skills development. With strong administrative acumen, she was also a Special Assistant on Domestic and Sexual Violence to the President during the Mohammed Buhari administration.
Her dedication to ending the stigma of Gender-Based Violence on its victims led her to establish the awareness initiative ‘Hush not, Speak out’. Zainab is also the founder of Tea & More restaurant, a modernized version of the popular roadside ‘Mai shayi’.
Zainab Usman – She is the Director of the Africa Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She is also an author, speaker and political-economist working at the intersection of institutions, policy and politics.
With previous experience in notable institutions like the World Bank, ECOWAS, International Crisis Group, Zainab is committed to working towards economic development, energy, natural resources and the future of work. In some of her work including her book, Economic Diversification in Nigeria: The Politics of Building a Post-Oil Economy, she has outlined theoretical and practical steps for economic, political and climate transformation. Her 2023 Ted Talk, How Sci-fi informs our climate future — and what to do next highlights the role of science fiction books and movies in predicting climate change.
Zainab Aliyu – She is the Creative Director and Founder of AABOUX, a luxurious leather brand, a Board Member/INED of Leadway Pensure, a leading Pension Fund Administrator serving in the Finance & Strategy, Risk & Compliance and Audit committees.
With Zainab’s innovative entrepreneurial strategies, AABOUX is especially known for its exquisite handcrafted statement accessories created by third-generation leather artisans in Lagos, with ethically sourced leather. The brand is beloved across Africa and the world, with stockists in African countries and in the diaspora. In 2023, AABOUX made its fashion week debut in New York, and has been featured on several notable publications like Essence, Glamour, L’Officiel, among others.
Zulumoke Oyibo —She is a Nigerian film producer and a co-founder of Inkblot Productions, a film production company that has produced some of the highest-grossing Nollywood movies like The Wedding Party, The Wedding Party 2, Up North, Far From Home. She is also the founder of Inkblot Woman in Film, an initiative that tackles social, ethical and professional challenges that women in the film industry face, to create a work environment that is safe for women.
Noted to be one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s film industry, she was recognized in Variety’s 2022 Women’s Impact report. With iWIF, she has created a community of women in the industry – actresses, directors, producers, creatives – actively working to ensure that the Nigerian film industry is a safe place for women to thrive.
