In celebration of International Women’s day, we recognize 25 phenomenal women that motivate us with the stories behind their achievements.
These women are blazing the trail in their respective industries, making sacrifices to carve out a niche for themselves.
Our mission is to inspire the younger generation, and all women who dare, that breaking glass ceilings and dominating an industry – even as a woman, is possible.
Take a deep dive at our list as we walk you through a plethora of inspiring women and a shot at their incredible impact.
Women in Corporate Leadership
1 . Juliet Ehimuan – Director for Google, West Africa
Juliet Ehimuan is currently the Director of Google in West Africa, overseeing strategy and operations in the region.
In addition to her role at Google, Juliet Ehimuan is also a board member and advisor for several organizations, including the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Africa, the Alliance for Affordable Internet, and the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre.
Juliet is an Executive Leadership Coach and a member of the Forbes Coaches Council. She is named as one of Forbes’ “20 Power Women in Africa”.
Check out Juliet’s Business Website and Instagram Page!
2 . Adaeze Udensi – Executive Director, Titan Trust Bank
Adaeze Udensi is an Executive Director at Titan Trust Bank.
She is also a co-founder of the African Women in Finance Network. This non-profit organization promotes the participation of women in the financial services industry in Africa.
Check out Adaeze’s Business Website!
3. Funke Opeke – CEO, MainOne
Funke Opeke is the founder and CEO of MainOne, a leading provider of telecommunications services in West Africa.
She has been recognized for her contributions to developing the ICT sector in Nigeria and was named one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Africa by Forbes in 2020.
Check out MainOne’s Website here!
4. Ndidi Nwuneli – Founder, LEAP Africa
Ndidi Nwuneli is a Nigerian social entrepreneur, author, and public speaker passionate about promoting economic growth and development in Africa. She founded LEAP Africa, a nonprofit organization providing young Africans with leadership training and support.
She has also consulted with various international organizations, including the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, and the Ford Foundation.
Ndidi is a TED Fellow, a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and was named one of the 20 Power Women in Africa by Forbes Magazine.
Check out Ndidi’s Business Website and Instagram Page!
Women in Tech
5 . Damilola Olokesusi – Co founder/CEO of Shuttlers
Damilola Olokesusi is the co-founder of Shuttlers, a Nigerian transportation company that provides safe and affordable transportation services to commuters. She is also a social entrepreneur and advocates for youth entrepreneurship and innovation.
Damilola was listed in Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 for 2020 and has been featured in several media outlets, including CNBC Africa and The Guardian.
She is committed to revolutionizing the transportation system in Africa.
Check out Damilola’s Website and Instagram Page!
6 . Oluwatosin Olaseinde – Founder of Money Africa and Ladda
Oluwatosin Olaseinde is the founder of two organizations – Money Africa and Ladda – which focus on financial education and inclusion for underserved communities in Africa.
She has been recognized for her contributions to promoting financial education and inclusion in Nigeria and Africa. In 2019, she was named as one of the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honorees in the Business category.
Check out Oluwatosin’s Website and Instagram Page!
7 . Solape Akinpelu – Co-Founder/CEO of HerVest
Solape Akinpelu is a Nigerian entrepreneur and the founder of HerVenture, a social enterprise that supports women entrepreneurs in Africa.
She has received awards such as the West Africa Innovation Award for Female Empowerment (2018) and was listed in She Leads Africa’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs in Nigeria (2018). Her work has been featured in media outlets like Forbes Africa and CNBC Africa.
Check out Solape’s Website and Instagram Page!
8 . Adebunmi Wellington Ogunlewe – CVO, Credo
Adebunmi is the Chief Visionary Officer and co-founder of Credo. She has over twenty-two years of experience leading and motivating high-performance teams to deliver innovations that solve people and business challenges.
She also sits on several boards, including Hadada Financial. She teaches mentees weekly about products, careers, entrepreneurship, and technology at Product Dojo, a leading Product Management Consulting Firm and Coaching & Mentorship Centre she founded two years ago.
A repeat founder, she is also the founder and co-founder of early-stage startups Aisles, a cuisine-agnostic online grocery delivery service, and Vibe, an online radio respectively.
Check out Adebunmi’s Business Website and LinkedIn Page!
Women in Education
9. Temilade Salami – Environmentalist and Youth Ambassador – The Global Temi
Temilade Salami is a Nigerian environmental activist and youth ambassador, also known as “The Global Temi”. She is a vocal advocate for environmental sustainability and climate action, particularly in Africa.
Temilade Salami has also been invited to speak at various international conferences, including the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain in 2019.
Check out Temilade’s Business Website and Instagram Page!
10. Adaora Lumina Mbelu – Brand Story Teller/Coach
Adaora Lumina Mbelu is a Nigerian brand storyteller and coach. She is the founder of Lumination, a brand strategy and storytelling consultancy that helps individuals and businesses to develop compelling brand stories and connect with their target audience.
She has evolved from helping organizations create successful branding strategies to helping groom future brand strategists and storytellers through her academy and mentorship programs.
Check out Adaora’s Business Website and Instagram Page!
11. Blessing Abeng – Co-Founder of Ingressive for Good (I4G)
Blessing Abeng is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, marketer, and founder of Ingressive for Good, a non-profit organization focusing on developing and supporting the African tech ecosystem.
Ingressive for Good has supported over 50,000 African youths through scholarships, training, mentorship, and access to resources in the tech industry. She was listed among Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 in 2018.
Check out Blessing’s Website and Instagram Page!
12. Freda Anyanwu – CEO of EBH Africa
Freda is the Founder of EBH Africa – whose main goal was to equip business owners with the knowledge, resources and community to grow.
This community has grown bigger than she expected, and she now provides coaching and strategy services to entrepreneurs and business owners.
Freda is also an Alumni of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Fellowship.
Check out Freda’s Website and Instagram Page!
Women in Fashion and Lifestyle
13. Ife Agoro – Founder of DANG
Diary of A Naija Girl, DANG, by Ife Agoro, started as a relatable community where women could find solace.
Ife expanded this community from a storytelling brand to a product brand using her love for perfumes and skincare products.
She evolved the DANG community from a safe space for women to an amazing skincare and scent brand, and she never stopped catering to her community’s needs.
Check out Ife’s Website and Instagram Page!
14. Jemimah Oyeleke – Fashion Designer/ CEO of Knanfe
Jemimah was born into a creative background. This was her inspiration for Knanfe – Her fashion Brand. Her mother, a dressmaker and her late father, a photographer who was also a fashion enthusiast, brought about the dream of building this minimalist female fashion brand.
Check out Jemima’s Instagram Page!
15. Andrea Inyamah – Founder, Andrea Inyamah
Andrea Iyamah is a Nigerian fashion designer and entrepreneur who has made a name for herself in the global fashion industry. She is the founder and creative director of the eponymous fashion brand Andrea Iyamah, known for its vibrant prints, bold colours, and unique designs.
She has collaborated with organizations like the African Fashion Fund to support emerging African designers and has worked with local artisans in Nigeria to promote sustainable and ethical fashion practices.
She has inspired many young women in Nigeria and beyond with her determination, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Check out Andrea’s Website and Instagram Page!
16. Powede Awujo – Digital Fashion Creator and Entrepreneur
Powede is an ex-beauty Queen, aviator, serial entrepreneur and lifestyle influencer.
She founded Powede Awujo Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women and children in Nigeria through education, healthcare, and advocacy.
She has been recognised for her contributions to entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment and featured in various media outlets such as CNN, BBC News, and Vogue.
Check out Powede’s Website and Instagram Page!
Women in Business and Entrepreneurship
17. Jumoke Dada – Founder of Taeillo
Jumoke Dada is the founder of the modern furniture brand – Taeillo, which has now grown a strong presence across Africa and beyond.
She was named as one of the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honorees in the Business category, and in 2020, she was selected as one of the finalists for the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award.
She founded the Project Enable Africa initiative, which is focused on promoting digital inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Check out Jumoke’s business Website and Instagram Page!
18. Claire Idera – Fashion Designer and Art Illustrator
Claire is a Lagos-based fashion designer and illustrator. She studied architecture for her BSc, where she developed her love for art. After freelancing for some time, she went for her masters in Fashion Design.
She also started the Claire Idera Illustration Workshop, an art and design institution, where she teaches fashion illustration and design and focuses on helping creatives gain the adequate knowledge they need to maximise their potential.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claireidera
Website: https://claireidera.com/
19. Nelly Agbogu – NaijaBrandChic
Nelly Agbogu is a Nigerian entrepreneur and the founder of Naija Brand Chick, a branding and digital marketing agency that helps small businesses in Nigeria and other African countries establish their brand identity and increase their online presence.
She is also the founder of the African Women in Business and Leadership Club, a platform that empowers African women entrepreneurs through networking and skill-building events.
She has been featured in various media outlets such as Forbes Africa, CNN, and CNBC Africa.
Check out Nelly’s business Website and Instagram Page!
20. Funto Ibuoye – Creative Designer, Five28 Interiors
Funto Ibuoye is the Creative Director at Five28 Interiors. She is also the founder of The Beautified Network, a women’s community and mentoring platform that empowers women to achieve their goals and live purposeful lives.
Ibuoye has been recognised for her contributions to entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment and featured in various media outlets such as Forbes Africa, The Guardian Nigeria, and BellaNaija.
Check out Funto’s business Website and Instagram Page!
Women in Media and Content
21. Bolanle Olukanni – TV Presenter and Digital Creator
Bolanle is an award-winning TV presenter and producer who has anchored many TV shows at home and abroad. Bolanle is also a writer and content creator who uses her social media platforms to educate and share information with her audience.
She has been involved in several humanitarian campaigns and initiatives, including the “End Rape” campaign and the “Cleaner Lagos Initiative.” Bolanle Olukanni is also a UN Ambassador for the “Leave No Girl Behind” initiative.
Now, she is a co-founder of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Self-Worth, which supports widows and single mothers in Nigeria by offering empowerment seminars and other services.
Check out Bolanle’s Instagram Page
22. Precious Gaza – Digital Creator/Career Coach
Precious Gaza is a digital creator, lifestyle influencer and career and personal development coach.
Precious Gaza has inspired and motivated thousands of young people in Nigeria and beyond to pursue their dreams and achieve success in their chosen careers.
She is also a sickle cell advocate who discusses the struggles and challenges she and fellow sickle cell warriors can relate to.
Check Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preshgaza
Website: https://preshgaza.disha.page/
23. Temi Badru – Lawyer/Journalist
Temi Badru describes herself as someone who wears many hats. She is a lawyer, journalist and compere for high-profile events.
She was recently listed as well as one of the 50 Shapers of the New Decade by YNaija and one of the Top 50 Personalities on Linkedin in Nigeria by The Ruby Hub
As a sought-after compere, she has moderated events for major corporates including – the German Embassy in Nigeria, International Chamber of Commerce Africa, Access Bank, the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation, Meristem Securities, Rise Networks and the African Development Bank among others..
Check out Temi’s LinkedIn Page and Instagram Page!
24. Tobi Ayeni – Founder of Miss Techy
Tobi Ayeni is a female tech blogger. She started blogging in 2015 to change the way people think about tech. She hoped to educate and enlighten Nigerians to generate interest in the tech world and embrace the limitless possibilities it can bring them.
She evolved from blogging to creating video content for Instagram and YouTube. This launched her into the world as Miss Techy and has brought her several collaborations with International tech-enabled companies.
Check out Tobi’s Instagram Page!
25. Bella-Rose Okojie – CEO, Techcity NG
Bella Rose Okojie is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and tech enthusiast who founded and is CEO of Techcity NG, a platform that promotes technology and innovation in Nigeria.
Bella Rose has been recognised for her contributions to the growth of the Nigerian technology ecosystem. In 2020, she was named one of the 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria by Leading Ladies Africa.
Check out Bella’s business Website Instagram Page!
We hope you find these women as inspiring as we do, and hopefully, someday, you will be recognized and celebrated as a trailblazer in your field.
