Shattering barriers: 10 Nigerian women making waves on the global stage

Nigerian women breaking glass ceilings Internationally.

The contribution of Nigerian women to the international community is immeasurable. Nigerian women have been making waves in different fields, breaking stereotypes, and shattering glass ceilings.

In this blog post, we will be showcasing 10 Nigerian women who are breaking glass ceilings internationally.

Nigeria, the most populous African country, has produced numerous women who have excelled and made a significant impact in different fields, including science, politics, and entertainment. These women are exceptional, and their achievements have paved the way for others to follow. Let us take a look at some of these trailblazing Nigerian women.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian economist and international development expert. She served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015. In February 2021, she became the first African and first woman to be appointed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Funmi Odegbami

Funmi Odegbami is a Nigerian-American lawyer who has been named one of the top 100 Most Influential Black Lawyers in America. She is the founder and CEO of the Mosaic Institute of Legal Diversity, which is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian writer whose works have gained worldwide recognition. Her novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, won the Orange Prize in 2007, and Americanah was named one of The New York Times’ 10 Best Books of 2013. Her TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” has been viewed over 19 million times.

Amina J. Mohammed

Amina J. Mohammed is a Nigerian diplomat who is currently serving as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. She has previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Environment and was instrumental in the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Folasade Yemi-Esan

Folasade Yemi-Esan is a Nigerian civil servant who has held several top positions in the Nigerian civil service. She is currently the Head of the Nigerian Civil Service and has been credited with significant improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service.

Temie Giwa-Tubosun

Temie Giwa-Tubosun is a Nigerian-American entrepreneur and the founder of LifeBank, a platform that provides blood and oxygen to hospitals in Nigeria. In 2019, she was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Next list, which recognizes the next generation of influential leaders.

Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi

Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi is a Nigerian activist and the founder of Stand to End Rape (STER) Initiative, which is committed to ending sexual violence and providing support to survivors. She was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2019.

Kafilat Ogbara

Kafilat Ogbara is a Nigerian-born lawyer who was recently appointed as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). She is the first African and the first woman to hold this position.

Mo Abudu

Mosunmola Abudu is a Media Mogul and Philanthropist. She is the CEO of EbonyLife TV and Africa’s Most Successful Woman, according to Forbes.

She headed the Human Resources and Training department at ExxonMobil.
She also created and produced Moments with Mo , a popular Nigerian TV show.

She has received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Babcock University and an honorary doctorate degree of Doctor of Arts from the University of Westminster.

She has made immense contributions to the Media Industry, with EbonyLife’s partnership with Netflix being one of many.

Yewande Akinola

Yewande Akinola is a Nigerian-British architect and environmentalist. She is known for her work in sustainable design and has won several awards for her innovative designs, including the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Rising Star Award in 2016.

Temi Marcella Awogboro

Temi Marcella Awogboro is a Nigerian-British entrepreneur and the founder of the digital advertising agency, Radiant Collective. She has worked with several global brands and has been named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Europe for 2021.

Conclusion

These Nigerian women are breaking barriers and paving the way for others to follow. They are an inspiration to women all over the world and a testament to the incredible potential of Nigerian women. It is essential to recognize and celebrate the achievements of these women and to continue to support and uplift women in all fields.

FAQs

1. Who is the first Nigerian woman to be appointed as Director-General of the World Trade Organization?

Ans: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the first Nigerian woman to be appointed as Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

2. Who is Funmi Odegbami, and what is she known for?

Ans: Funmi Odegbami is a Nigerian-American lawyer known for founding the Mosaic Institute of Legal Diversity, committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

3. Who is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and what is her famous TED Talk about?

Ans: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian writer known for her works that have gained worldwide recognition. Her TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” is about how stereotypes and limited perspectives can affect people’s understanding of others.

4. Who is Amina J. Mohammed, and what is her contribution to sustainable development?

Ans: Amina J. Mohammed is a Nigerian diplomat and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. She was instrumental in the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

5. Who is Temie Giwa-Tubosun, and what is her company LifeBank about?

Ans: Temie Giwa-Tubosun is a Nigerian-American entrepreneur and the founder of LifeBank, a platform that provides blood and oxygen to hospitals in Nigeria.