21. Chinwe Ohajuruka

Chinwe is currently changing the face of architecture in Nigeria. She discovered the enormous housing, energy and water challenges facing Nigeria and swung into action

with the construction of sustainable houses that run on solar energy and are self-cooling. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, the CEO of Comprehensive Design Services (CDS) and award winning architect is also passionate about making more women home owners and she is making this happen.

22. Chioma Ude

Chioma Ude is the brain behind the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) which has been described as the hub for film makers in Africa. The festival has been held successfully six times, with each edition bigger than the last. Apart from celebrating great African films, free training, talent development for participants, film screenings, training, parties and an award ceremony are part of the activities featured during the program. It is not surprising that Chioma is referred to as one of the most influential women in entertainment in Nigeria.

23. Crystal Chigbu

Crystal is definitely a woman with a heart of gold. After going through the experience of removing her daughter’s limb, Crystal extended a hand to other children and started The Irede Foundation. Not only has the foundation helped to provide prosthetics to children, it has also successfully improved the awareness of children living without limbs through its annual walk, Out on a Limb.

24. Didi Akinyelure

With each story she covers, Didi retells the story of Africa to the international community. As the recipient of the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award in 2016, it may be hard to believe that Didi studied chemical engineering and worked as an investment banker before making the switch to journalism.

25. Ebele Okobi

Ebele is fondly referred to as the Secretary of State of Facebook. In her role as the Head of Public Policy Africa of Facebook, Ebele has at several times, met with various African presidents to reason with them whenever internet access is shut down in their country. Beyond her job, the voracious reader and mother of three is passionate about women’s rights and reclaiming African narratives.

26. Eleanor Goodey

Eleanor is your favorite photographer’s favorite. She is well known for taking fresh, stunning, and timeless pictures. Since entering the industry, the Paris trained Nigerian Portrait Photographer has taken pictures of high profile millenials like Arese Ugwu, Ink

Eze and Kudiratu Olayinka. Eleanor has also worked for brands like Business Day and Access Bank.

27. Eniola Fadayomi

Eniola is the chairman of African Prudential Registrars. Prior to this, she served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, the first Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, as well as the Commissioner for Establishment, Training & Pensions at different times in the State. She currently serves on several boards, both in the Public and Private Sectors.

28. Esther Ijewere-Kalejaiye

Fierce yet kind at heart, Esther is a leading voice in advocating for the right for women and the girl child. Her NGO, Rubies Ink Initiative for Women and Children, organizes walks and workshops against rape. Her passion to speak about the cruelty of rape led to write her first book, Breaking the Silence. Esther’s work was recognized in 2016 when she won the Young Person of the year award organized by Miss Tourism Nigeria beauty.

29. Fati Abubakar

Fati is not your regular photographer. Despite the obvious danger, she has chosen to rebuild the reputation of Borno State, widely known as the birthplace of the brutal Boko Haram insurgency through photography. With her vivid images and words she tells the story of the city, its people, their culture and their resilience to live despite everything.

30. Fatima Jidayi

Fatima is the CEO of Mamza Beauty, an innovative makeup and beauty firm currently based in Abuja. Her motto is, “There is beauty in simplicity” and this is obvious with every face that she beats. She has carved a niche for being the go-to Make Up artist for women in the Northern part of the country, and her clientele base boasts of celebrities like Zara Buhari Indimi, and others.

31. Foye Ikyaator

Dr. Foye made history when she, alongside her husband, opened Life Savers Emergency room in Houston, one of the first in America. She is combining her love for medicine, her passion for entrepreneurship and her desire to help people in a single pursuit. Although running an emergency room comes with its challenges, Dr Foye’s vision is to improve on the services and level of care patients are given in hospitals.

32. Funke Awobokun

Funke has carved a niche for herself in the events industry. As the CEO of Cocktails In and Out and Grill In and Out, the stunning mother of three caters for top notch events. Her cocktail company is at the forefront of introducing new ideas and trends with their variety of exciting drinks and creative delivery. We love how she’s constantly innovating and staying ahead of the pack. Funke is also one of the visible and highly successful female entrepreneurs based in Abuja, Nigeria.

33. Funto Ibuoye

Dynamic, petite, and power packed, Funto is the Founder of The Beautified Network – a for-purpose and faith-based initiative aimed at inspiring women to live their best lives. She hosts two life changing events – The Beautified Annual Conference and Queens Arising. As if this is not enough, she recently started her interior design company Five28Interiors. We love that she’s living her faith out loud and re-inventing herself.

34. Gloria Oloruntobi

If you don’t know Maraji on Instagram then we wonder what’s happening. Her hilarious skits are one of the hottest things on social media right now. What started as a way to get out of boredom has grown into something great and has made her one of the biggest Instagram comedians in the country. Her skits have also earned her corporate nods from brands like Indomie and Coca-Cola. You go girl!

35. Huda Fadoul Abacha

Her eye for detail and ability to create bespoke wedding dresses and exquisite luxury pieces is what sets Huda apart from the crowd. As the founder of Huddaya Bridal Emporium, a leading Bridal Couture company, Huda has created dresses for several high profile clients that have left fashion lovers speechless and breathless. She’s also one of the prominent female entrepreneurs in the Northern part of the country creating value.

36. Ifeyinwa Afe (MD, HP Nigeria)

As the MD of HP Nigeria, Ifeyinwa has introduced amazing products like the HP Spectre, one of the worlds thinnest laptops, into the Nigerian market and she is ensuring that the company stays ahead of its competition. With the call to have more women represented in STEM careers, having women like Ifeyinwa actively leading that charge is inspiring!

37. Ijeoma Ndukwe

Fondly referred to as Nwanyi Akamu, Ijeoma is proof that no skill or passion is too insignificant to turn into a thriving and sustainable business. Deploying her creativity,

Ijeoma has turned the regular locally made pap (Ogi) into a thriving brand with several unconventional flavours that did not previously exist in the Nigerian market. Through Bubez pap, and other products on the Bubez Foods stable, she is meeting the diverse needs of the Nigerian public.

38. Isabella Akinseye

Her irrepressible love for arts and her desire to diversify her talent led her quit a job at Nestle to start her own production outfit, Yellow Tamarind Productions. Today, Isabella is an award winning essayist, writer, film journalist and OAP. She currently has three TV shows ‘Clapperboard’ ‘The Movie Buff Show’, and ‘Africana Literati’, shows that focus on her love for all things African cinema and literature.

39. Isio Wanogho

Isio is an amazing bundle of several talents is not afraid to explore all of them. When she’s not modeling, she’s painting, writing, or designing beautiful spaces. As the CEO of IDDS, her firm is credited for the design of Ayo Van Elmar’s spectacular showroom, the redesign of My Extentionz Beauty Parlour, and a number of other impressive projects. Isio has shown that a woman can constantly recreate and redefine herself.

40. Isioma Osaje

The story of Isioma Osaje is one of courage, determination laser-sharp focus, and shiploads of hard work. At a relatively young age, Isioma has racked up nearly a decade of experience across various sectors which include Talent Management, Acting, Film Marketing, and Public Relations. Through her company, Agency 106, Isioma is building one of the most formidable talent management companies in Nigeria, with an enviable rack of talents which include: Blosssom Chukwujekwu, Adesua Etomi, Iretiola Doyle, Deyemi Okanlawon and Linda Ejiofor.