Nigerian Powerhouses Okonjo-Iweala And Mo Abudu Shine On Forbes 2025 Most Powerful Women List

According to industry reports, two prominent Nigerian women, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, and media entrepreneur Mo Abudu, have been named among Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women in the World for 2025.

The annual Forbes list, released on Wednesday, recognises women making significant impacts in business, politics, culture, and technology worldwide.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, ranked 92nd, made history as the first African and first woman to lead the WTO, a position she assumed in March 2021. Forbes describes her as “an economist and international development professional” with over 30 years of experience spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

She previously served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2015, as well as Foreign Minister in 2006. She also chaired the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has immunised over 760 million children globally. A Harvard graduate with a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the 71-year-old is renowned for championing trade as a tool to alleviate poverty in developing nations.

Mo Abudu, founder of EbonyLife Media, was ranked 98th. Forbes describes her as “one of the most influential women in global media.” She launched EbonyLife TV in 2006, which now broadcasts in more than 49 countries, including the UK and the Caribbean. Under her leadership, the company has secured content partnerships with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks, and Netflix, becoming the first African media firm to sign a multi-title deal with the streaming platform. In November 2025, EbonyLife launched its new digital platform, EbonyLife ON Plus, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Born in London, Abudu spent her early years in Nigeria before returning to the UK.

Topping the 2025 Forbes list is European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, followed by European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde, Japan’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum. Other notable entries include AMD CEO Lisa Su, Alphabet’s Ruth Porat, Microsoft’s Amy Hood, and Meta CFO Susan Li. Forbes also highlighted the women behind Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, reflecting the growing global influence of women in entertainment and digital culture.