These are the ladies who steer the course of history in a usually male dominated environment - they have acknowledged the glass ceiling but they would not allow it hold down their lofty ambitions.
Kemi Adetiba: Kemi is a music video director, filmmaker, and television director whose works have appeared on Channel O, MTV Base, Soundcity TV and BET. She has seen tremendous success as a music video director, and has directed music videos for an impressive variety of international artistes. Kemi's other upcoming projects include multiple films and a social-media-driven charity, #PayItForward.
Lala Akindoju: Bright, talented and vivacious, Kemi Lala Akindoju is one of Nigeria's most talented actresses. Beyond acting in movies like Dazzling Mirage, and Alan Poza, Lala is a thespian of note, having featured in over 70 stage productions. In 2014, she produced the immensely successful stage play "The Wives" and is also the casting director for Ndani's "Gidi Up." Is she phenomenal or what?
Linda Ikeji: Her blog which started out as a gossip column has become one of the most celebrated blogs in Africa and the one stop portal for information, entertainment and gossip. Her use of technology to carve a niche for herself and create an innovative platform for information and empowerment, has made her a source of inspiration to many young entrepreneurs.
Lisa Folawiyo: She is the founder and creative director of eponymous fashion label, Jewel by Lisa. The brand that has continually captivated people from Lagos to Cape Town, London, Paris, New York and Hollywood. With the launch of her diffusion line - J Label, and other household items, Lisa Folawiyo is steadily expanding the "jewellette" empire.
Lydia Idakula-Sobogun: CEO of Gbagyichild entertainment, Lydia is best known as the convener of the very popular Taruwa - a bi-monthly gathering for lovers of art and diverse expressions of it. Taruwa has been the 'gestation' site for a lot of popular and mainstream artistes like award winning rapper, M.I Abaga as well as soul musician, Bez Idakula - who co-incidentally, happens to be her younger brother.
Mary Olushoga: Mary is a women and small business advocate. She is founder of com, a platform powering small business success for African entrepreneurs. She is a 2015 Vital Voices Global Leadership Fellow, an IndiAfrica Young Visionary Fellow (2014), a Women4Africa International Media Woman of the Year (2014), a Crans Montana 'New Leader' (2014), the first-ever GOOD Maker/Oxfam America International Women's Day Challenge Winner, a Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) Associate, and an Oxfam America Sisters on the Planet Ambassador.
Mildred Okwo: She is the co-founder of the Audrey Silva company. Okwo is a well-recognized film director and producer whose film "The Meeting," has won several awards to include the Nigerian Entertainment Award, Africa Movie Academy Award, and the Nollywood Movies Award.
Minna Salami: She is a writer, blogger, and commentator on African feminism. Minna is also owner of the MsAfropolitan Boutique, an online shop featuring designs by women of African heritage.
Modupe Ozolua: Modupe boldly pioneered body cosmetic surgery in Nigeria as far back as 2001. She is the CEO of Body Enhancement limited in Nigeria. Also a philanthropist, she's the founder and president of Body Enhancement Annual Reconstructive Surgery (BEARS) Foundation. Ozolua has helped people "achieve an admirable weight, attain the best standard of beauty and be fashionable without regard to age".
Mosunmola Abudu: Mo is the founder of Ebony Life Television and Inspire Africa Foundation. She's also the host of 'Moments with Mo,' a popular Pan-African talk show. As a TV producer, media personality, human resources management consultant, and entrepreneur, Mo is the poster child for those who keep evolving - for the better.
Ndidi Nwuneli: An advocate for social and economic change, She is the founder and managing partner of LEAP Africa, a leadership training and coaching organization which is committed to empowering, inspiring and equipping a new cadre of leaders in Africa. She is also a director of Sahel Capital Partners, a leading advisory firm focused on the agribusiness and manufacturing sectors, and the co-founder of AACE Foods, an agro-processing company. Through her work with Sahel and AACE, she has also shaped agriculture
Nike Adeyemi: Co-Pastor, of Daystar Christian Centre and Founder, Real Woman Foundation, Pastor Nike is at the forefront of reformation of dysfunctional families, with the belief that right parenting and godly values shape children into exceptional Leaders.
Nike Davies-Okundaye: She is an Artist, Curator, and Founder of the Nike Art Gallery. Nike has used her international success to launch a cultural revival in Nigeria. She is the founder and director of four art centres which offer free training to over 150 young artists in visual, musical and performing arts - one of which is the largest art gallery in West Africa, compromising over 7,000 artworks. We love her for her talent, sass and warm, toothy grin.
Nike Ogunlesi: She is the founder of Ruff 'n' Tumble, a childrens clothing line in Nigeria. From a tiny shop with her and her mother as the main staff, Nike turned Ruff 'n' Tumble into an instantly recognizable, international brand. She has built a reputation for being one of the best manufacturers of children's clothing from Nigeria.
Nimi Akinkugbe: She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bestman Games Ltd, the African distributor of customised editions of Hasbro's Monopoly board game. The City of Lagos Edition of Monopoly, the first African city edition of Monopoly, was launched in December 2012. A special commemorative edition of Monopoly, the Nigerian Centenary was launched in February 2014. Achieving financial security ranks as a major source of anxiety and Nimi seeks to empower people regarding their finances. Through the Monopoly board game, speaking engagements, television and radio appearances and social media, she offers frank, practical insights and advice to create a greater awareness and understanding of personal finance and wealth management issues.
Nkiru Olumide Ojo: Co-Founder, Lighthous network, and also Director Marketing Communications, Stanbic IBTC, Nkiru represents the new wave of women in corporate Nigeria who are breaking boundaries and charting new territory. A columnist with a national newspaper, and a professional compere as well, Nkiru shows that there are no limits to what women can achieve.
Nkem Uwaje: She is the Managing Director of Future Software Resources Nigeria Limited. Her company is also winner of the 2012 Etisalat Nigeria Prize for Innovation. Nkem's company created the iConnect project, focused on making ICT and education more accessible to youths in Nigeria.
Nse Ikpe-Etim: Beautiful, talented and immensely creative, is an award-winning actress and winner of the 2014 Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Awards for playing "Nse" in Journey to Self. Her style is distinct, bold and confident; we expect to see more from her in the future.
Oby Ezekwesili: With the interesting moniker of "Madam Due Process," Oby is as fiery as she is intelligent. A major voice in the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, she shows strength of character, vision and decisive leadership. A trained accountant, she is a co-founder of Transparency International, serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in Berlin, Germany. She also served as Federal Minister of Solid Minerals and then as Federal Minister of Education during the second-term presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo.
Ojoma Ochai: As the Director Arts, of British Council Nigeria, Ojoma is charged with the responsibility of expanding the reach and growth of the creative industries in Nigeria. The long-term project aims to link artists and organisations in Nigeria and the UK and support Nigeria's arts and creative sector development ambitions.
Oke Maduewusi: Soft-spoken and beautiful Oke, is the Founder of beauty and makeup brand, Zaron. Together with her formidable team, she has painstakingly built a hitherto unknown and small brand into an enviable and competitive makeup and hair range.
Ola Orekunrin: She is an innovator and a 2013 New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute. She is a TED fellow, medical doctor, helicopter pilot, and Managing Director of the Flying Doctors Nigeria Ltd, West Africa's first indigenous air ambulance service and a crucial link for critically injured people.
Olajumoke Adenowo: She is a multiple Award winning Architect, and has been called the "Face of Architecture" in Nigeria. She was recenty featured on CNN African Voices, and profiled on CNN as Africa's Star Architect, and has been featured in the world's leading Architectural Publications such as America's Architectural Record Magazine. In 1999, she founded Awesome Treasures Foundation to raise Transformational Leaders, its summits and other initiatives have attracted well over 50,000 attendees.
Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi: Nigeria's first super-model, the story of Oluchi is one that inspires millions. After winning the Face of Africa competition in 1998, she took to the world stage of modeling and fashion and made it big. Currently the host of Africa's Next Top Model, her humble beginnings and current success in her modelling career is a stimulating story of passion, focus and hard work.
Oluremi Shonaiya: The Presidential candidate for Kowa Party in the forthcoming national elections, Professor Oluremi Shonaiya represents the breed of women who will get involved in changing the fortunes of Nigeria. We admire her courage, dedication and grit.
Omotoke Makinwa-Aiyida: From starting out as an OAP on radio, Toke has shown incredible skill and determination in forging a successful media career. She's now a TV host, curates her very popular vlog series and shows no signs of slowing down. Love or hate her, the girl just keeps on moving forward!
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde: Actress, singer, activist and philanthropist, there is almost something magical about Omotola. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, the leading actress has appeared in 300 films, selling millions of video copies, she really is in a class of her own, and should give lessons on how to build a relevant brand. In 2013, she was honoured in Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton.
Omoyemi Akerele: Founder and artistic director of Style House Files, a creative development agency for Nigerian and African designers, Omoyemi Akerele is widely regarded as a driving force behind the burgeoning Nigerian fashion industry. A pioneering agency in image consultancy and creative direction within the West African country, Style House Files works with Nigerian brands on brand positioning and retail strategies. Akerele also helps brands gain essential international exposure through presenting showcases at Pitti Immagine in Italy, and through Lagos Fashion and Design Week.
Ono Bello: Fashion savvy, focused and creative, Ono Bello is the founder and editor of Onobello.com, and also the Lead PR Consultant in PR Uno - a PR fashion agency that boasts of an enviable list of clientele. We love how she's turned her passion for fashion into a money spinner.
Osayi Alile - Oruene: The current Chairperson of WIMBIZ, Osayi is what you would call a "connector." She connects women with their dreams by giving them the necessary tools that enable them thrive and succeed in their careers and businesses. Before exiting in 2013 Ms. Alile was the Executive Director of FATE Foundation, a leading private sector led not-for-profit organisation in Nigeria with a mission to foster wealth creation by promoting business and entrepreneurial development among Nigerians for 8 years.
Oyindamola Honey Ogundeyi: Driven by the desire to impact lives, she is the founder of e-commerce platform, Fashpa. She's all about building a sustainable online retail businesses and is also convinced women are essential to the "Africa Rising" narrative.
Peace-Anyiam Osigwe: She is the founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMMA). Founded in 2005, the awards have since grown into one of the most prestigious film award shows on the continent, changing the way Nigerians are seen around the world. Her passion is film; and by turning that passion into a mission, she has given the African continent a voice on the big screen.
Rita Dominic: With almost 20 years of acting under her belt, the sultry and well-spoken Rita Dominic keeps getting better. Her performance in the movie "The Meeting" showed her versatility and amazing skill. She is also the co-founder of the Audrey Silva company.
Ruth Obih: She is the CEO of 3Invest Limited, a real estate acquisition company in Nigeria. She is a trained lawyer who has a passion for property and real estate. Her company also has several platforms to promote the real estate sector. From her blog to radio shows she talks about property and real estate investing. She's also the convener of Real estate Unite - an annual Real Estate conference.
Ruth Osime: In 2003, Ruth started out as a columnist in This Day, two years later she became the editor of This Day Style, a 24-page, colour, glossy pull-out. Years later, This Day Style has become a staple for fashion and style aficionados, and is has spawned others trying to imitate and copy its style.
Stephanie Linus-Okereke: Actress, film director, model and activist, Stephanie just keeps on re-inventing herself - to the utter delight and joy of her fans. In 2011, she was honoured by the Nigerian government with a National honour (Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR). In 2014, she produced the movie 'DRY' to rave reviews.
Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett: She has been acting since the 70s and is one of Nigeria's most celebrated actresses. Her grace, diction and poise are one of a kind. On February 2008, at an All-Star Gala held at Theatre Royal Stratford East on the 10th anniversary of Tiata Fahodzi, she was honoured as a leader of British-African theatre.
Tara Fela-Durotoye: She is a Nigerian makeup artist and lawyer. A pioneer in the bridal makeup profession in Nigeria, she launched the first bridal directory in 1999, set up international standard makeup studios and established the first makeup school in Nigeria. She is the founder and CEO of House of Tara International, and creator of the Tara Orekelewa Beauty range, Inspired Perfume and the H.I.P Beauty range. In 2007, She was awarded the Africa SMME Award and the Entrepreneur award in South Africa[3] and in 2013, Forbes listed her as one 20 Young Power Women In Africa. She is a graduate of the prestigious Stanford SEED Transformation Program and this has aided her work as a mentor for thousands of young women across Africa and a standout entrepreneur.
Tosin Ajibade: The Editor of popular online site Olorisupergal, has done really well for herself. The site kicked off as a blog on in 2010 and later transformed to a website in 2012. According to the site, OloriSupergal.com is the product of what's trending and the latest news in the entertainment industry.
Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji: A Social entrepreneur, Toyosi is the Founder of RISE NETWORKS, a Nigeria-based private and public sector funded Youth Interest social enterprise with a primary focus on wholesome youth and education development. The organization focuses on creating intellectual development and capacity building programs for young Nigerians between 16 and 30 and receives generous support from several state governments and blue-chip companies. She is also an alumnus of the United States Government's International Visitor Leadership Program.
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