THISDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 8TH MARCH 2026

WOMEN OF IMPACT IN AFRICA

WOMEN OF IMPACT IN AFRICA 2026

COVER NOTE

Every March 8th, the world pauses to acknowledge the undeniable force of women, their work, sacrifice, brilliance, and quiet, determined reshaping of societies. But in Africa, this moment lands differently. Here, womanhood has never been passive. It has always been an architecture of building, rebuilding, creating, healing, negotiating, transforming, and, above all, enduring. African women have held up communities long before their stories were ever recorded, let alone celebrated.

And yet, recognition has often lagged behind contribution. The work has always been visible on the ground , in boardrooms, classrooms, laboratories, courtrooms, farms, start-ups, ministries, and homes but rarely assembled into one shared moment of acknowledgement. That is what makes this year distinct. In honour of International Women’s Month, ARISE News pays tribute to 100 Women of Impact in Africa. Visionaries whose contributions reflect the pulse of a continent in transition. Selected through audience nominations, editorial deliberations and focus-group insights drawn from across Africa and the diaspora, these honourees represent leadership that is not theoretical but lived, measurable and deeply felt. Their influence spans governance, business, entrepreneurship, technology, law, media, science, medicine, academia, philanthropy, and social innovation.

They are the women shaping the African renaissance in a rapidly shifting world not by fitting into old definitions of power, but by redefining what power can look like.

EDITOR’S LETTER

WEXECUTIVE EDITOR KONYE NWABOGOR 08111847087

DEPUTY EXECUTIVE EDITOR OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI 08111847086

CONTRIBUTORS

AYO LAWAL, ALIYAH OLOWOLAYEMO

DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

SUNDAY NEWSPAPERS

EDITOR: DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN

DEPUTY EDITORS: FESTUS AKANBI, EJIOFOR ALIKE

MANAGING DIRECTOR : ENIOLA BELLO

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI

EDITOR NATIONS CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN: NDUKA OBAIGBENA

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS: SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE

DEP. DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR: OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI

SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: ERIC OJEH

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: PATRICK EIMIUHI

CONTROLLERS: ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION: CHUKS ONWUDINJO

orking on this issue came with a sense of pride, the kind that grows each time you look at the continent and realise just how much African women are accomplishing, often without the systems, resources, or allowances their peers elsewhere might take for granted. Yet, regardless of the obstacles, the progress is undeniable. African women are not just participating in national development; they are steering it. Across the continent and in Nigeria, women run the majority of small and medium enterprises. They dominate the healthcare workforce. They are getting increasingly visible in governance, in technology, in academia, in the creative economy, and in the structures that hold countries together — policy drafting, institution-building, community organising, scientific research, and sustainable development. And the most interesting part? None of this is happening quietly anymore. The hesitation has disappeared. The shrinking has stopped. We are watching women step into leadership with clarity, authority, and competence, redefining what power looks like, what expertise feels like, and what progress requires. The ecosystem has not fully adjusted yet, but the momentum is no longer in question.

Which is why today’s Women of Impact 2026 event at the Eko Convention Centre feels particularly significant. As this issue is published, some of the most influential women on the continent will gather under one roof in Lagos to celebrate. The timing is intentional, not just to mark International Women’s Day, but to acknowledge the momentum African women are generating right now. Being in that room today will mean witnessing firsthand the scale of the work women are leading across sectors that determine the continent’s direction. While we celebrate these honourees, it’s important to say this clearly: you do not need to be on any list to recognise your own impact. If you are showing up in your home, your work, your community, your choices, your goals — your story is valid. Progress is not always public, and influence is not always loud.

Congratulations to the 2026 Women of Impact in Africa.

And also congratulations to every other woman out there doing the work in ways the world may never fully see, but will always depend on.

Happy International Women’s Day.

WOMEN OF IM PACT IN AFRICA 2026

BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR & FUNKE-BABS KUFEJI

Every March 8th, the world pauses to acknowledge the undeniable force of women, their work, sacrifice, brilliance, and quiet, determined reshaping of societies. But in Africa, this moment lands differently. Here, womanhood has never been passive. It has always been an architecture of building, rebuilding, creating, healing, negotiating, transforming, and, above all, enduring. African women have held up communities long before their stories were ever recorded, let alone celebrated. And yet, recognition has often lagged behind contribution. The work has always been visible on the ground , in boardrooms, classrooms, laboratories, courtrooms, farms, startups, ministries, and homes but rarely assembled into one shared moment of acknowledgement. That is what makes this year distinct.

In honour of International Women’s Month, ARISE News pays tribute to 100 Women of Impact in Africa. Visionaries whose contributions reflect the pulse of a continent in transition. Selected through audience nominations, editorial deliberations and focus-group insights drawn from across Africa and the diaspora, these honourees represent leadership that is not theoretical but lived, measurable and deeply felt. Their influence spans governance, business, entrepreneurship, technology, law, media, science, medicine, academia, philanthropy, and social innovation. They are the women shaping the African renaissance in a rapidly shifting world not by fitting into old definitions of power, but by redefining what power can look like. At a time when global narratives often flatten Africa into a single story, these women complicate that story in the best way. They expand it. They challenge it. They enrich it. Their achievements remind us that African excellence is not emerging it has been present, consistent and world-shaping. What is emerging is the recognition. Today at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, these women will stand before leaders, innovators and cultural architects from across the continent, honoured on a global stage and broadcast live to millions. But beyond the cameras and ceremony, this recognition is a mirror to every woman who has pushed against the expectations of her time, carved out possibilities where none existed, and insisted that Africa’s future must include the full brilliance of its daughters.This feature is a celebration, not only of individual achievement, but of what becomes possible when African women lead without apology. Here are the women defining the moment, and building Africa.

ABOYADE FUNKE (SAN)

Lawyer, Principal Partner, Aboyade & Co NIGERIA

Funke Aboyade, SAN, is one of Nigeria’s most respected legal minds. She was called to the Bar in 1983 after graduating in the top 1% at every stage of her legal education. A Cambridge LL.M graduate and Fellow of the CIArb, she built a formidable career in project finance and arbitration before founding ABOYADE & Co. A pioneering columnist and creator of THISDAY LAWYER, she served on key constitutional bodies, including the Lagos Prerogative of Mercy Council. She sits on the Board of NMRC as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

ADAMOLEKUN YEMI

Activist, Immediate Past Executive Director of Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE) NIGERIA

Yemi Adamolekun, former Executive Director of Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), has spent nearly two decades shaping Nigeria’s civic culture through advocacy, accountability campaigns, and votereducation movements such as #RSVP and #OpenNASS. With a background spanning US consulting, church administration, strategy, and brand development, she helped found EiE after earning an MBA from Oxford. A tireless volunteer for organisations supporting women, older people, and peacebuilding, Yemi remains one of Nigeria’s most influential voices for active citizenship and democratic responsibility.

ADETIBA KEMI

Filmmaker/ Tv Director, Kemi Adetiba Visuals NIGERIA

Kemi Adetiba is one of Nollywood’s most dynamic writer-directors, celebrated for redefining contemporary Nigerian cinema. A trained lawyer turned filmmaker, she honed her craft at the New York Film Academy before directing hit features like The Wedding Party and the cult political thriller King of Boys. Beginning her career in childhood modelling and broadcast media, Adetiba has evolved into a formidable creative force whose visual language, genre ambition and cultural instinct continue to elevate Nigerian storytelling globally.

AGBOR

FUNKE (SAN)

Lawyer, Dentons ACAS-Law NIGERIA

Olufunke Agbor, SAN, is a distinguished maritime lawyer and Senior Partner at Dentons ACAS-Law. A University of Lagos and UCL alumna, she became Nigeria’s first female maritime lawyer elevated to SAN in 2016. Her career spans major arbitration matters, regulatory leadership and dispute resolution across the shipping and transport sectors. Consistently ranked by Chambers Global and Legal 500, she also serves as President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association. Her expertise continues to shape industry standards and legal professionalism in maritime practice.

AFOLABI BOSEDE (PROFESSOR)

Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, Academic, UNILAG NIGERIA

Professor Bosede Bukola Afolabi is a leading Nigerian obstetrician-gynaecologist whose clinical practice, academic research and policy influence have strengthened maternal health outcomes nationwide. Educated in Nigeria and the UK, with advanced training from Nottingham and Harvard, she returned to Lagos to join LUTH, where she has served as a Consultant since 2002. Known for managing high-risk pregnancies and pioneering evidence-based reproductive care, she has published extensively on maternal mortality, prenatal health and postpartum wellbeing, advancing women’s health through science and compassionate clinical leadership.

Physician/CEO, Cityblock Health

Dr Toyin Ajayi, Nigerian-American physician and co-founder/ CEO of Cityblock Health, is redefining care for underserved communities in the US. Trained at Stanford, King’s College London and Cambridge, she previously served as Chief Medical Officer at Commonwealth Care Alliance. Cityblock emerged from her conviction that Medicare-Medicaid patients need integrated, dignified care—not fragmented systems. Today, she leads a tech-enabled, value-based platform that delivers coordinated medical, behavioural, and social care, championing equity for low-income and medically complex populations.

9. AKINLUYI TOSIN

Managing Director, Morgan Stanley UK

Tosin Akinluyi is Managing Director and Head of EMEA Macro Research at Morgan Stanley, shaping economic insight and strategy across global markets. With more than 25 years of international finance experience, she serves on key operating committees and champions diversity as Executive Sponsor for the Race at Work Charter. Educated at LSE, Sussex and Columbia Business School, her career spans commodities, consulting, energy strategy and macro research. She also advises academic institutions, reflecting her commitment to inclusive economic leadership.

Entrepreneur, Entertainment Executive, Livespot 360 NIGERIA

Deola Art Alade, co-founder and CEO of Livespot360, is one of Nigeria’s most inventive creative executives. A Harvardtrained strategist, she has built a multidisciplinary career spanning entertainment production, brand storytelling, design and experiential innovation. With ventures such as Soul Muzik, RentA-Rig and Livespot360, she has delivered some of Nigeria’s most culturally resonant events and global-standard productions. Her work continues to redefine the possibilities of Africa’s creative economy through bold vision, technical mastery and relentless creative evolution.

Chinelo Anohu is a lawyer and public administrator, and former Director-General of Nigeria’s National Pension Commission, where she oversaw the country’s transition to the contributory pension scheme and later led the Commission from 2014 to 2017. A graduate of UNN and the LSE, she has served on global advisory boards, including the London Stock Exchange Africa Advisory Group and the University of Edinburgh Business School IAB. Her career spans telecommunications reform, investment advisory and arbitration, reflecting deep expertise in regulatory governance.

AWOSIKA IBUKUN (DR.)

CEO, The Chair Centre Group NIGERIA

Dr Ibukun Awosika is a celebrated Nigerian entrepreneur and leadership advocate, and the first female Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria. Trained in accounting, with executive education from Lagos Business School and IESE, she built The Chair Centre into a leading furniture manufacturing enterprise. A co-founder of WIMBIZ and founder of the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre, she has served on major national and international boards. Her influence spans business, governance, media and social impact, earning her numerous global awards.

BADEJO OKUSANYA OYINKAN (SAN)

Lawyer, Africa Law Practice NG & Co NIGERIA

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, Partner at Africa Law Practice (ALP NG & Co), is a dispute-resolution expert whose career spans litigation, international arbitration and regulatory reform. A former General Counsel in the Lagos State Governor’s Office, she contributed to PPP frameworks and justice-sector legislation. Renowned for her command of complex commercial disputes, she represents private and state clients across trial and appellate courts. A Fellow of CIArb, she chaired the NBA’s AGM—the world’s largest gathering of lawyers—demonstrating her sector-wide credibility.

BRAITHWAITE ONIKEPO Lawyer, Editor THISDAY Lawyer NIGERIA

Onikepo Braithwaite is a Nigerian lawyer, economist and respected THISDAY law editor known for her incisive column, The Advocate. Educated in Nigeria, the UK and the US, she built a long-standing legal career at the renowned Priscilla O. Kuye & Co. Her advisory roles span commercial law, arbitration and regulatory oversight, including positions within national manufacturing and LPG stakeholder bodies. As a public intellectual, she shapes national discourse on law, policy and governance with clarity, depth and informed critique.

BELO-OSAGIE MYMA (DR.)

Lawyer, Co -Founder Udo Udoma & Belo Osagie NIGERIA

Dr Myma Belo-Osagie, Partner Emerita at Udo Udoma & BeloOsagie, is one of Africa’s most influential commercial lawyers. With degrees from Harvard, Legon and the Nigerian and Ghanaian Law Schools, she has advised on landmark transactions in telecoms, energy, restructuring and cross-border investment. Recognised by Chambers Global, IFLR1000 and global bar associations, she has drafted major regulatory frameworks, including Nigeria’s Telecommunications Act. Her board service spans leading businesses and educational institutions, while her philanthropy supports scholarships, children’s health and arts development.

BROWN OLA (DR.)

Doctor/ Investor Healthcare Investment Group NIGERIA

Dr. Ola Brown is a medical doctor, trainee pilot and founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, West Africa’s largest air ambulance and emergency medical service. Since 2009, she has built a network of fixed-wing and helicopter ambulances used to evacuate trauma and critical-care patients across remote and urban regions. A published author and international speaker, she is a TED Fellow, Aspen Fellow and WEF Young Global Leader. Her work continues to redefine medical logistics, emergency care and health-system preparedness in Africa.

BUHARI AISHA

Former First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria NIGERIA

Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady from 2015–2023, leveraged her national platform to champion maternal health, girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment. Through the Aisha Buhari Foundation and the Future Assured programme, she delivered medical outreach, advocacy, and capacity-building initiatives across multiple states. A Public Administration and Strategic Studies graduate, she is also a trained beauty therapist and author. Her work has earned international honours, including the World Leadership Prize from Ajou University for contributions to public health and social development.

COKER-ODUSOTE ABISOYE

Engr., CEO,NIMC NIGERIA

Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission, leads Nigeria’s foundational identity infrastructure—overseeing NIN enrolment, database integrity and nationwide verification systems. Since 2023, she has driven large-scale reforms to modernise backend systems and expand enrolment capacity. Her earlier roles include CEO of Lagos’ Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency and senior IT leadership in telecommunications and oil and gas. Recognised with national public-service awards, she is a Fellow of major technology and administrative institutes with deep experience in digital governance.

CHARWAY SHENIECE

Music Industry Executive, Head of Black Music and Culture EMEA, YouTube UK

Sheniece Charway, YouTube’s Head of Black Music & Culture, EMEA, is a British music executive shaping the visibility and evolution of Black music across Europe. She leads YouTube Music’s Legacy Series and major cultural showcases, including landmark celebrations at the Royal Opera House. Recognised by Music Week and Powerlist Magazine, she has served as a cultural commentator on The Rap Game UK and was appointed Martell’s Cultural Ambassador for Afrobeats. Her work amplifies artists and strengthens global cultural storytelling.

COKER, TOLU Fashion Designer, Creative Director, Tolu Coker NIGERIA

Tolu Coker is an award-winning British-Nigerian fashion designer and multidisciplinary artist whose brand intersects craftsmanship, activism and cultural storytelling. A Central Saint Martins alumna with experience at JW Anderson, Celine and Maison Margiela, she launched her label in 2021. Her work champions sustainability, identity politics, and social justice, and she collaborates with global organisations such as Amnesty International, Choose Love, and the City of Joy. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree and Vogue Sustainability Trailblazer, she represents a new era of reformative luxury.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, OON, is Chair/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, leading federal engagement with Nigerians worldwide. A three-term legislator, she chaired the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs and championed landmark bills including the Freedom of Information Act. Before politics, she spent 15 years at NTA anchoring Newsline, shaping national storytelling. Known for diaspora protection, policy coordination and citizen advocacy, she has embedded diaspora affairs firmly within Nigeria’s governance structure.

DANGOTE HALIMA

Executive Director, Dangote Group NIGERIA

Halima Aliko Dangote, Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations at Dangote Industries, drives strategy, revenue and market expansion across Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate. Previously Executive Director at NASCON and Dangote Flour Mills, she led key restructuring and governance efforts. She chairs The Africa Centre in New York and sits on the boards of Endeavour Nigeria and the Aliko Dangote Foundation. With degrees from AIU London and Webster University, she brings business discipline, philanthropic insight, and cross-market leadership to the continental industry.

DAHIRU AHMED AISHATU (AISHA BINANI)

Politician, CEO Binani Air NIGERIA

Aisha Binani, engineer and politician, served as Senator for Adamawa Central and chaired the Senate Committee on SDGs. Previously a two-term member of the House of Representatives, she advanced healthcare, education and infrastructure across her constituency. In 2023, she became the first woman to secure a major-party governorship ticket in Northern Nigeria. Founder of Binani Air, she is among the few women leading aviation enterprises in the country. She holds the traditional title Gimbiyar Adamawa.

DIOP BINETA (DR.)

Senior Envoy, African Union Commissioner SENEGAL

Dr Bineta Diop, Senegalese diplomat and Founder of Femmes Africa Solidarité, served as AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security for over a decade, embedding gender inclusion in Africa’s peace architecture. She has strengthened women’s roles in mediation, democratic transitions and post-conflict reconstruction across the continent. A TIME 100 honouree and recipient of the Légion d’Honneur, her pioneering institution-building has shaped continental frameworks aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and advanced women’s leadership in governance and peace processes.

DOSUNMU, ERELU ABIOLA (HRH)

Queen Mother, Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos NIGERIA

HRH Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, is a custodian of one of Lagos’ oldest royal institutions and a cultural figure whose influence spans fashion, enterprise and philanthropy. Installed in 1974, she has revitalised Aso Oke traditions, built businesses across Nigeria and the UK, and promoted Nigerian culture globally, including through a luxury boutique on London’s Bond Street. Her foundation supports education, skills development and cultural preservation. She remains a central figure in Lagos’ civic and traditional landscape.

EDO- OSAGIE, ANITA

Oil & Gas Executive First E&P NIGERIA

Anita Edo Osagie is a senior executive in Nigeria’s energy sector with over two decades of leadership across oil and gas and banking. At FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company, she oversees corporate strategy, stakeholder engagement, regulatory alignment, and risk management for major upstream and gas projects. She has led complex financing and venture negotiations critical to domestic energy growth. Her work strengthens institutional governance and supports Nigeria’s long-term energy security.

DUROTOYE TARA FELA

Beauty Entrepreneur, CEO House of Tara NIGERIA

Tara Fela-Durotoye, founder of House of Tara International, pioneered Nigeria’s modern beauty industry. Since 1998, she has built a national retail, training and cosmetics enterprise that professionalised makeup artistry and produced thousands of trained artists. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, she has shaped entrepreneurship development across Africa through advisory roles and educational initiatives. Her work institutionalised beauty education, empowered women economically and catalysed a thriving local cosmetics ecosystem.

EDUN AMY ADWOA

Philanthropist , The Cripps-Appiah -Edun Family NIGERIA

Amy Adwoa Edun has a background in public health planning, with a growing focus on the intersections of health, environmental stability, and sustainable food systems. Her work increasingly centres on biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, water security, and food resilience. She co-founded Lokoja Dialogues, a regional platform designed to bridge community experience with national policy and investment strategy. As Executive Trustee, she helps guide a collaborative network working alongside institutions such as the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency to strengthen how water risk is understood and financed.

EKE-ALUKO EHIMWEMA (DR.)

Consultant Paediatrician, Entrepreneur, The Premier Specialists Medical Centre NIGERIA

Dr Ehimwema Eke-Aluko, paediatrician and co-founder of Premier Specialists’ Medical Centre, is an influential figure in Nigeria’s private child-health sector. A University of Lagos graduate with advanced US paediatric training, she is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Paediatrics and the West African College of Physicians. She has built specialist service lines in neonatology, developmental care and special-needs medicine. Her leadership extends to healthcare governance through board service at Wellness HMO.

EYESAN MEYIWA CEO, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NIGERIA

Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, is the first woman to lead Nigeria’s upstream regulator—an institution central to the Petroleum Industry Act reforms. An economics graduate from the University of Benin, she spent 33 years at NNPC, rising to Executive Vice President, Upstream. Decorated with multiple sector awards including WIME’s Lifetime Achievement Award, she has shaped licensing, compliance and investment governance, strengthening confidence and institutional rigour in Nigeria’s petroleum landscape.

HARRIMAN JOSEPHINE

Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Europe UK

Josephine Harriman, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, is Co-Head of Cyber & Privacy Legal and Head of EMEA Technology & Data Legal. Responsible for global data governance, cyber regulation and AI oversight across one of the world’s largest financial institutions, she manages complex crossborder compliance structures. Dual-qualified in Nigeria and the UK, she has spent over two decades shaping technology-driven legal frameworks in the financial sector. Her work underpins the digital resilience of modern global capital markets.

IBRU DA- SILVA, KEMI (DR.)

Specialist, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Founder, WARIF NIGERIA

Dr

Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, founder of WARIF, established Nigeria’s first integrated, survivor-centred response to sexual and gender-based violence. A University of Lagos-trained physician with postgraduate training at Howard and Johns Hopkins, she has advanced clinical, forensic and psychosocial interventions for survivors. She sits on the UN ACT Steering Committee for West and Central Africa and delivered a defining TED Talk on the “shadow pandemic” of violence during COVID-19. Recognised globally, she continues to reshape gender-justice frameworks across Africa.

ADELEYE-FAYEMI BISI

Former First Lady, Author, Gender Advocate, Ekiti State Government NIGERIA

Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, feminist advocate, author and policy leader, co-founded the African Women’s Development Fund, Africa’s first continent-wide women’s rights grantmaking body. As First Lady of Ekiti State, she advanced genderresponsive laws, including the GBV Prohibition Act and Equal Opportunities Bill. A creator of the African Women’s Leadership Institute and Senior Advisor to UN Women Nigeria, she has trained thousands of emerging leaders. Honoured across Africa, her career bridges philanthropy, governance, movement-building and feminist intellectual tradition.

GURIB-FAKIM AMEENAH (DR.)

Biodiversity Scientist, Politician, ImpactHER/ World Agriculture Forum MAURITIUS

Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, biodiversity scientist and former President of Mauritius, is the first woman to lead her nation and one of Africa’s most distinguished scientific voices. A PhD in organic chemistry, she has authored influential works on medicinal plants, led major research institutions and served on global advisory boards. Decorated with the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award, France’s Legion of Honour and Mauritius’s highest national distinction, her career bridges science, public service and sustainability diplomacy.

IDIGBE ELIZABETH

Lawyer/ Managing Partner, Punuka Chambers NIGERIA

Elizabeth Oyenike Idigbe, Managing Partner of PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors, is one of Africa’s leading commercial lawyers, steering high-value transactions across energy, real estate, restructuring and capital markets.

A Fellow of CIArb and former ExCo member of its Nigeria Branch, she is recognised by Lexology and Law Digest Africa for excellence in construction, insolvency and corporate practice. Her work reflects decades of leadership at the intersection of economic development, dispute resolution and commercial governance.

Florence Ita-Giwa, former Senator for Cross River South, is a political matriarch known nationally as “Mama Bakassi” for her decades-long advocacy on behalf of the Bakassi people. A former nurse and pharmaceutical representative, she entered politics in the 1990s, serving in the House of Representatives and later as Special Adviser to President Obasanjo. Decorated with national honours, including the OON, she has championed women’s rights, anti-trafficking efforts, and Niger Delta issues with characteristic tenacity.

JOHNSON OMOBOLA (DR.)

Former Minister of Communications, Chairperson Global Alliance NIGERIA

Dr Omobola Johnson, Nigeria’s former Minister of Communication Technology, is a technocrat whose leadership produced the country’s first National Broadband Plan and secured Nigeria’s entry into the Alliance for Affordable Internet.

A former Country Managing Director of Accenture, she has over 30 years’ experience in ICT strategy, transformation and financial services. After ministerial service, she chaired A4AI globally, guiding international policy on digital affordability. Her work anchors Nigeria’s early digital-economy reforms.

Textile Designer & Fashion Entrepreneur, Creative Director, Banke Kuku NIGERIA

Banke Kuku, British-Nigerian designer and textiles artist, is renowned for her vibrant, culturally layered prints and luxury loungewear. A graduate of Central Saint Martins and Chelsea College of Art, she has worked with global fashion houses and major interior brands before launching her label and Lagos boutique. Stocked internationally, her collections draw from Lagos-London duality, heritage motifs and modern femininity. Her expanding womenswear, accessories and childrenswear lines reflect a growing global footprint in contemporary African luxury.

KABA NIALÉ

Economist, Politician , Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Côte d’Ivoire COTE D’IVOIRE

Kaba Nialé, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, is a seasoned economist and statistical engineer shaping national and regional development strategy. A graduate of Sorbonne’s CESD and the IMF Institute, she has served as chief of staff, director-general, minister and government negotiator across multiple administrations. She is the Governor for both the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. Architect of major investment platforms, she positioned Abidjan as a continental hub for Africa’s emergence discourse.

MADUEWESI OKE Beauty Entrepreneur ,Zaron Group NIGERIA

Oke Maduewesi, founder and CEO of Zaron Group, is one of Africa’s most successful beauty entrepreneurs, building a cosmetics brand with over 25 franchise outlets and 800+ distributors. A former Zenith Bank manager with an MBA from the University of Leeds, she launched Zaron in 2009 to deliver accessible, quality beauty products while driving job creation and youth empowerment. Her leadership blends commercial strategy with strong CSR values, shaping a modern African beauty ecosystem anchored in integrity and purpose.

MOLOI MOTSEPE, PRECIOUS (DR)

Businesswoman, Philanthropist, Doctor, Motsepe Foundation SOUTH AFRICA

Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe moves fluidly between business, medicine and philanthropy. Through the Motsepe Foundation, she advances programmes in health, education and social upliftment across South Africa and beyond. Her leadership is marked by strategic generosity and long-term thinking, with initiatives designed for measurable community benefit. Combining professional training with civic responsibility, she sustains interventions that strengthen institutions and expand opportunity for future generations.

KYEI AFUA

Financial Executive, Bank of England UK

Afua Kyei, Chief Financial Officer of the Bank of England, is one of the most powerful figures in global finance. She oversees financial governance of a balance sheet that peaked above £1 trillion, co-sponsors DEI strategy and steers climate-disclosure frameworks. A former Barclays and UBS investment banker with Oxford and Princeton credentials, she was named the UK’s most influential Black person in the Powerlist 2026. Her leadership underpins critical national infrastructure, including the RTGS system upgrade.

MOS-SHOGBAMIMU, SHOLA (DR)

Activist, Solicitor of England and Wales, UK

Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu is a solicitor of England and Wales whose advocacy extends far beyond the courtroom. A forthright voice on gender justice and racial equality, she engages policy, media and academia with clarity and conviction. Her work bridges law and public discourse, insisting on accountability and structural reform. Through scholarship and activism, she continues to challenge institutions while equipping others to claim their rightful space.

MOSAKU, WUNMI Actress, BAFTA Winner, Oscar Nominee, NIGERIA

BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Wunmi Mosaku has crafted a career defined by range and emotional precision. From British television to major international productions, she inhabits her roles with intelligence and restraint. Her performances command attention without spectacle, grounded in craft and discipline. As a Nigerian-born actress succeeding on the global stage, Mosaku expands the narrative of African talent in contemporary cinema.

Aku Odinkemelu brings financial acuity and policy insight to her work at the Central Bank of Nigeria, where she operates at the intersection of regulation and national economic stability. A trained arbitrator and respected banking executive, she is known for disciplined judgement and institutional clarity. Her contributions strengthen monetary governance and reinforce public trust. In shaping sound financial frameworks, she advances Nigeria’s long-term economic resilience.

ODUSOTE, OLUGBEMISOLA (DR)

Lawyer, Nigerian Law School NIGERIA

Dr Olugbemisola Odusote serves within the Nigerian Law School, shaping the formation of future legal practitioners through scholarship and institutional leadership. A lawyer of depth and clarity, she brings intellectual discipline to legal education and professional ethics. Her influence extends beyond the classroom into policy and reform discussions within the justice sector. By strengthening legal training, she contributes to a more principled and effective judiciary.

ODUNSI, DUPE (DR)

Haemato-Oncologist, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre & Specialist

Hospital NIGERIA

Dr Dupe Odunsi is a consultant haemato-oncologist and founder of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital, a purpose-built facility expanding access to quality cancer care in Nigeria. Internationally trained and clinically rigorous, she has dedicated her expertise to improving diagnosis, treatment and patient support. Her work addresses critical gaps in specialist healthcare. Through sustained advocacy and practice, she is redefining cancer care standards in West Africa.

OGUNBANJO, MOSUNMOLA Architect, MOE+ Art Architecture, NIGERIA M

osunmola Ogunbanjo is an architect and creative disruptor whose work has quietly redefined standards across architecture, hospitality, sustainability and social impact. Through her practice MOE+, she shaped the architectural language of Guaranty Trust, setting a benchmark for bank design in Nigeria. She founded The Wheatbaker, a boutique hotel that redefined contemporary hospitality in Lagos. She also co-founded Building Women and IOMI Water, advancing economic inclusion and sustainable everyday living in Nigeria.

OGUNLESI, NIKE

Fashion Entrepreneur, Ruff n Tumble NIGERIA

Nike Ogunlesi founded Ruff n Tumble with a clear proposition: children’s clothing produced to international standards, proudly rooted in Nigeria. What began as a retail venture has grown into a respected fashion enterprise with manufacturing capacity and regional presence. She combines creative direction with operational discipline, building a brand trusted by families across generations. Her steady expansion affirms the viability of homegrown fashion at scale.

OKOLLOH, ORY

Lawyer, Activist, Investor, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures KENYA

Ory Okolloh is a Kenyan lawyer, investor and civic voice whose career spans technology, governance and venture capital. As a partner at Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, she backs highgrowth companies shaping the continent’s digital economy. Earlier roles in global technology and public accountability initiatives established her as a principled advocate for transparency. Okolloh continues to pair capital with conviction, supporting enterprises that reflect Africa’s expanding ambition.

OKOLI, CHIZOMA

Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank PLC NIGERIA

As Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Chizoma Okoli plays a defining role in steering one of Africa’s leading financial institutions. Her portfolio spans corporate banking and strategic growth, executed with analytical precision and steady leadership. She has helped drive expansion across markets while maintaining operational discipline. Okoli’s influence underscores the strength of female leadership within Africa’s evolving financial landscape.

OLORUNSHOLA ,OLUWAYEMISI (DR)

Chairman, WEMA Bank NIGERIA

Dr Oluwayemisi Olorunshola chairs WEMA Bank at a time of renewed growth and digital transition within Nigeria’s financial sector. With a background in banking and corporate governance, she brings steady oversight and strategic clarity to the institution. Her leadership strengthens accountability while positioning the bank for sustained expansion. In guiding one of Nigeria’s established financial brands, she reinforces confidence in long-term institutional stewardship.

Entrepreneur/Investor, Topicals UK

Olamide Olowe is the co founder of Topicals, a skincare brand that has gained international recognition for addressing chronic skin conditions with thoughtful formulation and cultural awareness. Building the company from concept to global retail presence before the age of thirty, she demonstrated uncommon commercial instinct. Her work expands representation within beauty entrepreneurship and signals a new generation of African founders shaping global consumer markets.

OMAGHOMI, EVA

Strategic Communications Expert, The Household of King Charles III and the Queen Consort UK

Eva Omaghomi serves as a senior strategic communications adviser within the Household of King Charles III and the Queen Consort, navigating one of the world’s most scrutinised institutions with discretion and precision. Her expertise in media and public affairs reflects years of careful stewardship at the highest levels. In shaping narratives with clarity and balance, she demonstrates the global reach of African professional excellence.

ORAMAH, CHINELO

Advocate / Painter NIGERIA

Chinelo Oramah brings together advocacy and visual art in a practice that is both reflective and socially engaged. Trained in law and active in civic discourse, she approaches painting with the same clarity of purpose that defines her public interventions. Her canvases explore identity, justice and contemporary African life. By merging legal insight with artistic expression, Oramah broadens the language of cultural commentary.

Odio Oseni, founder and Creative Director of Odio Mimonet, has built a fashion label defined by refined femininity and careful craftsmanship. Her designs balance structure and softness, earning a loyal clientele within Nigeria’s style circles. She leads her atelier with precision, maintaining quality while expanding brand visibility. Oseni’s work reflects the confidence of contemporary African design, poised for enduring relevance.

ONWUGHALU, AMAKA Chairman, Fidelity Bank NIGERIA

As Chairman of Fidelity Bank, Amaka Onwughalu provides governance leadership grounded in experience across finance and corporate oversight. She steers boardroom direction with discipline, ensuring regulatory compliance and strategic focus in a competitive market. Her tenure reflects careful supervision of growth and shareholder value. Through measured decision making and institutional loyalty, Onwughalu contributes to the steady evolution of Nigeria’s banking landscape.

ONYEJEOCHA, NKEIRUKA (PHD) OON

Politician, Public Administrator, Minister of State for Labour and Employment NIGERIA

Dr Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, brings legislative experience and administrative discipline to national governance. With years in public service, she has engaged labour policy, workforce development and social dialogue with measured resolve. Her leadership reflects commitment to institutional process and public accountability. As Nigeria confronts employment reform and economic transition, her stewardship remains central to inclusive progress.

OSIME, IFEYINWA

Chairman, Access Bank NIGERIA

If

eyinwa Osime chairs Access Bank, providing governance oversight to one of Africa’s most expansive financial institutions. Her career in law and corporate leadership informs a boardroom presence marked by diligence and strategic awareness. She supports management in navigating cross-border growth while maintaining regulatory discipline. Under her stewardship, institutional strength and shareholder trust remain central to the bank’s continental trajectory.

Economist, Finance Executive, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford NIGERIA

Arunma Oteh is an economist and global finance executive whose career spans public markets and international institutions. Former Director General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission and later a senior World Bank vice president, she now serves at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Her record reflects reform, transparency and market development. Oteh continues to shape financial thought and policy with authority and global perspective.

PAUL, SANDRA

Lawyer, Kingsley Napley UK

Sandra Paul is a lawyer whose practice reflects discipline, discretion and an understanding of complex commercial environments. At Kingsley Na, she advises on matters requiring careful negotiation and legal clarity. Her approach is measured and solution driven, earning the confidence of corporate clients. Through consistent professional standards and thoughtful counsel, Paul contributes to strengthening Nigeria’s evolving legal and business landscape.

RHODES-VIVOUR, ADEDOYIN (SAN) Lawyer/ Founding Partner, Doyin Rhodes-Vivour & Co NIGERIA

Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is founding partner of Doyin Rhodes-Vivour and Co, where she leads a practice grounded in commercial and dispute resolution expertise. With decades at the Bar, she is recognised for courtroom precision and strategic counsel. Her leadership extends to mentoring younger practitioners and shaping legal standards. Through sustained professional excellence, she reinforces confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.

RHODES OKUNBOR, ADESUWA

Investor / Entrepreneur, Aruwa Capital Management NIGERIA

Adesuwa Rhodes Okunbor is the founder of Aruwa Capital Management, a Lagos based investment firm focused on growth stage companies led or significantly owned by women. An investor with disciplined focus, she channels capital into businesses that expand employment and local production. Her work strengthens Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through patient funding and governance support. Rhodes Okunbor continues to widen access to finance for promising African enterprises.

FATIMA

Executive Secretary, Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) NIGERIA

Fatima Shinkafi serves as Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, where she oversees financing initiatives designed to unlock Nigeria’s mining potential. With experience in law and finance, she guides policy implementation and project funding within a sector critical to economic diversification. Her leadership promotes transparency and structured investment. Shinkafi’s work supports responsible resource development as a pillar of national growth.

SONGWE, VERA (DR)

Economist / Chairperson, Liquidity and Sustainability Facility , CAMEROON

Dr Vera Songwe, economist and Chairperson of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility, has built a distinguished career across global financial institutions and African policy circles. Formerly Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, she advanced fiscal reform and sustainable financing frameworks. Her analysis carries continental weight. Songwe continues to champion financial mechanisms that expand liquidity and resilience for African economies.

SHASORE, GBEMI

Executive Publisher & CEO, Quramo Publishing / Quramo Productions NIGERIA G

bemi Shasore is Executive Publisher and Chief Executive of Quramo Publishing and Quramo Productions, enterprises dedicated to elevating African literature and screen storytelling. Under her direction, the company has nurtured authors and adapted narratives for wider audiences. She combines editorial instinct with business discipline, building structures that support creative talent. Shasore’s work ensures African stories are documented, produced and preserved for generations to come.

STAN EKEH, CHIOMA CEO, TD Africa Distributions Ltd NIGERIA

Chioma Stan Ekeh leads TD Africa Distributions Ltd, one of Sub Saharan Africa’s foremost technology distribution companies. As Chief Executive, she oversees regional operations that connect global technology brands to local markets. Her tenure reflects operational discipline and steady expansion across borders. By strengthening supply chains and digital access, Stan Ekeh contributes to the infrastructure supporting Africa’s technology adoption.

TINUBU, BOLA

Lawyer, Philanthropist, Cece Yara Foundation NIGERIA

Bola Tinubu is a lawyer and philanthropist whose work through the Cece Yara Foundation focuses on child protection and advocacy against abuse. Drawing on legal training and civic commitment, she has supported initiatives that strengthen awareness, reporting and survivor assistance. Her approach is practical and compassionate, centred on institutional collaboration. Tinubu’s efforts continue to advance safeguarding frameworks for vulnerable children in Nigeria.

Entrepreneur,

Layal Tinubu is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who leads Tots Toys and the Noella Foundation, initiatives spanning retail enterprise and community development. She has built a consumer brand attentive to family needs while supporting health and educational interventions through structured giving. Her leadership reflects commercial focus paired with social responsibility. Tinubu’s evolving portfolio signals a new generation of Nigerian businesswomen shaping both market and community impact.

UDOMA, SALLY

Former General Counsel, Chevron NIGERIA

Sally Udoma served as General Counsel of Chevron Nigeria, guiding legal strategy within one of the country’s largest energy operations. Over a distinguished career, she managed regulatory compliance, complex negotiations and corporate governance at scale. Her counsel supported operational stability within a demanding sector. Udoma’s legacy rests in disciplined legal stewardship that strengthened institutional integrity in Nigeria’s energy industry.

UDOJI, REWA

Finance Professional, Visual Artist, Chapel Hill Denham NIGERIA

Rewa Udoji brings together financial expertise and visual artistry in a career that bridges analysis and creative expression. As a senior professional at Chapel Hill Denham, she operates within Nigeria’s investment landscape with disciplined precision. Alongside finance, her work as a visual artist reflects thoughtful engagement with culture and identity. Udoji’s dual practice illustrates a modern African professional unafraid to inhabit both boardroom and studio.

USORO, MFON EKONG

Former DG, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) NIGERIA

Mfon Ekong Usoro, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, has long been a respected authority in maritime law and policy. Her tenure strengthened regulatory frameworks and advanced Nigeria’s presence in international shipping governance. A lawyer of distinction, she continues to advise on maritime reform and industry standards. Usoro’s career reflects sustained commitment to institutional development within a strategic national sector.

WILLIAMS DE BRUYN, SOPHIE

Anti-apartheid Activist, African National Congress Women’s League SOUTH AFRICA

Sophie Williams De Bruyn stands among the enduring figures of South Africa’s liberation history. As an anti apartheid activist and leader within the African National Congress Women’s League, she organised resistance campaigns that challenged systemic injustice. Her courage during pivotal national protests remains part of the country’s democratic memory. Williams De Bruyn’s life affirms the power of principled activism in shaping a just society.

UKEJE, NNENNA

Politician, House of Representatives, Nigeria NIGERIA

Nnenna Ukeje served in Nigeria’s House of Representatives with a focus on legislative diligence and constituency development. During her tenure, she engaged policy debates and committee work central to national progress. Her approach to public service emphasised representation, consultation and measurable community projects. Ukeje’s record underscores the importance of sustained female participation in Nigeria’s evolving democratic process.

YOUSSOUFOU, ZOUERA

Philanthropist / CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation NIGER

Zouera Youssoufou leads the Aliko Dangote Foundation as Chief Executive, directing large scale philanthropic programmes across health, education and disaster relief in Africa. With a background in international development and finance, she oversees structured interventions that reach millions. Her stewardship combines administrative rigour with humanitarian commitment. Youssoufou’s work strengthens institutional philanthropy as a meaningful force in advancing social welfare across the continent.