Amina Mohammed, Mo Abudu, Somkele Idhalama & more! YNaija.com and Leading Ladies Africa present the 100 most inspiring women in Nigeria

61. Nelly Agbogu

Nelly’s journey to entrepreneurship was birthed from her post-natal experience of body shaming. Nelly took control of her life when she decided to lose weight, by exercising, and eating healthy. Today, not only has she lost weight but she is also building her own food empire in the process with Nellies Foods, a healthy snack and food company, with remarkably indigenous food options, clientele spanning countries all over the world.

62. Nibi Lawson

Nibi is one woman who is tirelessly advocating for the Natural hair trend in Nigeria. She established the Kinky Apothecary in order to promote hair education among particularly Nigerian women seeking to grow and care for their natural hair. As the Founder of the first official natural hair shop in the country, her steady growth and success has been an inspiration to other natural hair stores / naturalistas in the country and abroad.

63. Njideka Akunyili-Crosby

Njideka is a visual artist who doesn’t shy away from showcasing our rich culture and heritage. Her works on paper combine collage, drawing, painting, printmaking, and photo transfers. She tells subtle yet powerful stories through art. She was featured in the Guardian best American art, 2016 and is also listed as a woman of the year 2016 in The Financial Times. More recently, Njideka provided the illustration for Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s latest book: ‘Dear Ijeawele, Or A Feminist Manifesto In Fifteen Suggestions.’

64. Nkechi Harry Ngonadi – Founder, NHN Couture

The ever energetic and stylish, Nkechi is the founder of NHN Couture, a Nigerian women’s wear fashion brand. According to her ““NHN Couture is an inspiration from God and this is rooted in our vision and mission statement –‘Bringing decency back to church first and the society at large, covered yet sexy, fabulous and simply classy.” She is passionate about inspiring and encouraging women to be their best and more importantly, to embrace a Godly womanhood. We love her Instagram posts where she shares inspiration, wisdom and loads of fun moments.

65. Nkechikwu Azinge

She is the founder of Sickle Cell Aid Foundation, an NGO aimed at raising awareness on sickle cell anaemia and helping less privileged victims gain access to quality healthcare. Her selfless acts gained her an award of recognition by Queen Elizabeth II as well as a spot on Commonwealth Young Achievers’ list in 2015. In 2016, she was listed among the 100 most Influential Young Africans by Africa Youths Award.

66. Nkem Okocha

Nkem is the founder and CEO of Mamamoni, an NGO aimed at empowering women in rural communities by enabling them to get access to free skill acquisition, financial literacy and mobile loans to set up small businesses. Her selfless impact is not only being felt by women, but also by children. A Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur Fellow, Nkem was also awarded at the Ebony Life Sisterhood Awards, in the recognition for her huge impact as a social entrepreneur and change maker.

Nkem Onwudiwe

67. Nkem Onwudiwe

Nkem is the Founder of Her Network – a platform that connects and empowers women all over the world. For Nkem, Supporting Women is not just a cute hashtag, it’s a reality that she constantly and consistently advocates for. Through the Her Network platform, Nkem uses her experience as a top-rated PR Consultant to impact, influence and inspire a broad range of women across various sectors.

68. Nkiru N’joku

An Award-Winning Screenwriter, Producer and Director, Nkiru is the head-writer of the M-Net series, tinsel. She also serves as Content Producer for MTN Project Fame, with some of her on-screen work including Hotel Majestic and MTV’s Shuga. We especially love Nkriu because she has inspired all of us to be brave, courageous and open – as she has shared and chronicled all her life lessons and her journey of raising Didi – her gorgeous, special needs daughter. The world definitely needs more Nkirus in it.

69. Oby Ezekwesili

Aunty Oby as she is fondly called, is a true example of what decisive, courageous and intentional leadership looks like. As the Convener of the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG), we have seen how Oby and other members of the group have relentlessly pushed for the release of all the Chibok Secondary School girls who were abducted nearly three years ago. When it comes to advocacy, no other group in the history of Nigeria has been this dogged, determined and focused. Early in 2017, Oby and selected members of the BBOG, went on a guided tour of the North East, including Sambisa Forest, as part of a Federal Government Delegation. If that isn’t leadership, then we are not sure what is. Oby is a Senior Economic Advisor at the Open Society Foundation, and has also served previously as Vice President of the World Bank.

70. Ogwah Ogbeh- Iweze

Co-Founder and Creative Director of Dzyn Couture, Ogwah runs one of Nigeria’s well-known and loved fashion houses. A business she Co-Founded with her sister, Ofure, Dzyn Couture meets the needs of the contemporary, classy woman who desires affordable luxury. A favorite feature of the Lagos Fashion and Design Week, Dzyn Couture is constantly setting new standards in Fashion, Retail and Business. Ogwah is also representative of the burgeoning class of successful female entrepreneurs in Abuja.

71. Omasan Ogisi

Professional, knowledgeable and with an incredible amount of expertise, Omasan is the General Manager for Corporate Affairs at MTN, a position she assumed in 2016. Prior to that she was the former Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility for Ericsson Sub-Saharan Africa. A consummate professional, Omasan is one of the few women with adepth competence and skill in Information Communications Technology, and her love for the industry, is evident when she speaks. A passionate business developer and telecommunication strategist, Omasan is a proud advocate for women in STEM careers.

Omolola Faleye

72. Omolola Faleye

When it comes to makeup and beauty in Nigeria, Omolola is a key player in the industry. She is the Convener, of The Make Up Fair, arguably Nigeria’s biggest gathering of beauty vendors, beauty editors, bloggers, makeup artists and other industry players. Under her leadership, Pops! Concepts has organized over 15 successful editions of the Make Up Fair Series in six major cities in Nigeria. When she’s not planning another event, she devotes her time to motivating young people to follow their dreams and their passion.

73. Omotade Alalade

Omotade Alalade is a fine blend of beauty, brains and compassion! After struggling with infertility, she decided to help other women struggling to conceive through the Beibei Haven Foundation. She helped shine the light on a subject that was hitherto a taboo in these parts. Omotade has helped raise millions of naira to fund couples who can’t afford fertility treatments. It didn’t come as a surprise to us therefore, when she was recognized on the BBC’s ‘100 Women’ list in 2016.

Onos Ariyo

74. Onos Ariyo

When Onos sings, the world literally halts in its tracks. An award-winning Singer, Gospel Minister and Vocalist, Onos is recognized as one who ministers hope, inspiration and salvation to all who listen to her. Her music prowess has been felt on stages such as the The Experience and she has performed alongside gospel music icons such as Don Moen, Ron Kenoly and Fred Hammond. A self-avowed lover of God, Onos is working on her sophomore album which should be released sometime in 2017.

75. Osaretin Demuren

Osaretin Demuren is a leading Nigerian banker who has carved an amazing record setting profile for herself in the male dominated industry. In 1999, she became the first female director for Trade and Exchange, Central Bank of Nigeria, and In 2015, she became the First Female Chairperson of Guaranty Trust Bank PLC. She is indeed a strong role model to the younger generation of women.

76. Ozoz Sokoh

Most popularly known as Kitchen Butterlfy, Ozoz is a globally respected Chef, and gives an imaginative and creative twist to seemingly ordinary dishes and food. She is also a writer and exploration geologist, traits which are somehow reflected in her explorative dishes and evident love for arts. Ozoz is an inspiration because through her we see that the mundane can become extraordinary. Recently, she was featured as a guest chef, at the prestigious GTBank Food and Drink Fair.

77. Rimini Makama

Recognized by Forbes as one of the 20 Youngest Power Women under 40 in Africa, Rimini is the Head of Corporate & Governmental Affairs Director at Microsoft Nigeria. She was formerly the Communications Director at Africa Practice; Africa’s foremost strategy and communications consultancy. A Lawyer by profession, Rimini previously worked at (INTERPOL) in Lyon, France where she was instrumental to the drafting of cooperation agreements between the 190 member countries and reviewing notices and individual requests safeguarding international security and safety across borders. Talk about being a ‘Power Woman.’

78. Sandie Okoro

Sandie Okoro is a lawyer and the Senior Vice President of The World Bank Group. She also serves as the Global General Counsel for HSBC Global Asset Management and Deputy General Counsel of HSBC Retail banking and Wealth Management. She is a globally respected foremost woman leader and has been described as “a highly regarded thought leader with a strong track record of developing new legal approaches in the field of international finance” by President Of The World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim.

Shade Ladipo

79. Shade Ladipo

Vivacious, ambitious and extremely intelligent, Shade is the Founder/CEO of Avienti Limited; a Destination Management and Travel Company. Her love for travel and tourism is evident, and through that she has assisted countless individuals and organizations on fabulous tour and travel packages. A woman of many hats, she is also the Executive Director of WEConnect International, an organisation that is involved in

the registration and certification of women-owned business enterprises outside of the United States. An acclaimed Public Speaker and Influencer, Shade was recently appointed as an ambassador for Friska Weight Loss Tea.

80. Shola David-Borha

Until very recently Sola was the Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc – a full service financial services Group with subsidiaries in Commercial Banking, Investment Banking, Pension and Non-Pension Asset Management and Stockbroking. In January this year, she was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Rest of Africa, for the Standard Bank Group – a huge feat for a woman, and inspiration to millions of others. Described as “extremely fair and a bright shining light,’ Sola is definitely a strong woman leader. An associate Pastor at RCCG, City of David Parish, she was recognized in 2016 as the ‘All Africa Business Woman of the Year’ at the All Africa Business Leaders Awards in Partnership with CNBC Africa.

Simbo Ukiri

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