Two Nigerian powerhouses, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mo Abudu, have made the cut on Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women list for 2025, standing tall among global leaders reshaping trade, media, and economies. At ranks 92 and 98, they highlight Nigeria’s growing clout in international circles, rubbing shoulders with figures like Ursula von der Leyen at No. 1 and Christine Lagarde at No. 2.
The annual Forbes list, dropped on December 10, 2025, spots women driving real change in business, politics, and culture. It weighs factors like influence, money, media buzz, and impact. For Nigeria, Okonjo-Iweala and Abudu show how homegrown talent is taking on world stages, from Geneva’s trade talks to Hollywood deals.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, 71, sits at 92, leading as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation since March 2021 – the first woman and first African in that role. Before WTO, she spent 25 years at the World Bank, rising to managing director and overseeing billions in projects across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Back home, she served two stints as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003-2006 and 2011-2015, plus a short Foreign Minister gig in 2006, where she slashed debt and boosted revenue. She chaired Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, helping vaccinate over 760 million kids worldwide. With a Harvard bachelor’s and MIT PhD, Okonjo-Iweala pushes trade as a tool to lift poor nations, fight poverty, and build green growth. In 2025, she navigated WTO talks on digital trade and African exports amid global tensions.
Mo Abudu, 61, clocks in at 98 as a media trailblazer and philanthropist behind EbonyLife Media. Born in London to a Nigerian dad and English mum, she grew up shuttling between the UK and Lagos, soaking in stories from her grandma. After banking and HR stints at ExxonMobil and HBO, she launched EbonyLife TV in 2013 – Africa’s first global black entertainment channel, now in 49 countries like the UK and Caribbean. Her hits include The Wedding Party series and Elesin Oba, pulling Netflix’s first big multi-title deal with an African firm in 2018. In November 2025, EbonyLife rolled out ON Plus, a streaming app on Google Play and Apple Store, expanding Nollywood’s reach. Forbes calls her one of the most influential women in global media, with partnerships like Sony Pictures and AMC Networks. She’s also producing Black, Brilliant and Bold docuseries for Netflix with Okonjo-Iweala.
The 2025 list spotlights women’s surge in tech and AI. Lisa Su of AMD ranks 10th, Ruth Porat of Alphabet 12th, and Nvidia’s Colette Kress 37th. Microsoft’s Amy Hood is 16th, Meta’s Susan Li 41st. Newcomer Daniela Amodei of Anthropic hits 73rd as a billionaire after her firm’s $18.4 billion valuation, and OpenAI’s Sarah Friar is 50th.
In entertainment and beyond, Kim Kardashian enters at 71st with $225 million for Skims at a $5 billion value and a Nike tie-up. Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters crew rounds out at 100th, with fans cutting across borders. Other big names include Japan’s Sanae Takaichi at 3rd as first female PM, Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum at 5th, and Namibia’s Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at 79th. Taylor Swift and MacKenzie Scott also feature, showing power’s wide net.
Okonjo-Iweala and Abudu’s spots on Forbes’ 2025 most powerful women list underline Nigeria’s female force in global trade and media. Their ranks at 92 and 98 prove steady impact, from WTO deals to Nollywood streams, inspiring the next wave back home.
