Two Nigerians, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mo Abudu, have been named among Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women for 2025, highlighting their significant influence in global trade, governance, and media. Okonjo-Iweala, ranked 92nd, is the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the first African woman to hold this position. Mo Abudu, ranked 98th, is a media executive and philanthropist, founder of EbonyLife Media.
The Forbes list, released on Wednesday, profiles women shaping policy, business, and culture worldwide. Okonjo-Iweala brings over 30 years of experience in economic development across multiple continents and has served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and briefly as Foreign Affairs Minister. She also chaired the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has immunised over 760 million children globally.
Her leadership at the WTO was reaffirmed in late 2024 when member states overwhelmingly reappointed her for a second term. Okonjo-Iweala views trade as a vital tool for lifting developing countries out of poverty and promoting sustainable growth.
Mo Abudu launched EbonyLife TV in 2006, which now broadcasts in over 49 countries and has secured partnerships with global media giants like Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks, and Netflix.
This ranking recognizes their ongoing contributions to international development and media influence.
