#Internationalwomensday: Meet Nigeria’s 10 Most Successful Women

Nigerian women have continued to wow the world and put the country’s name on the lips of global citizens.

This International Women’s Day, The Whistler, reviews in no particular order, Nigerian women who have been able to break barriers professionally and steered the course of history in a male-dominated industry.

These set of women, from the billionaire to the media entrepreneur and even the social and political activist, are not just self-made but have become a force to reckon with.

Ibukun Abiodun Awosika

Ibukun Abiodun Awosika is a Nigerian business woman, author and motivational speaker. She currently serves as Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria.

Tara Fela-Durotoye

Tara is a Nigerian makeup artist and lawyer. A pioneer in the bridal makeup profession in Nigeria. She launched the first bridal directory in 1999, set up international standard makeup studios and established the first makeup school in Nigeria.

She is the founder and CEO of House of Tara International and creator of the Tara Orekelewa Beauty range.

Folorunso Alakija

Nigerian billionaire businesswoman is one of the richest African women, and one of the richest black women in the world.

In 2014, she temporarily unseated Oprah Winfrey as the richest woman of African descent in the world. She is involved in the fashion, oil and printing industries.

 She is the group managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group which consists of The Rose of Sharon Prints & Promotions Limited and Digital Reality Prints Limited and the executive vice-chairman of Famfa Oil Limited.

Betty Irabor

Nigerian columnist, philanthropist, writer, publisher and founder of Genevieve magazine. She formerly had a column at Black & Beauty magazine UK.

 She also has a foundation that promotes breast cancer awareness, early detection and treatment.

Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau

 Popularly known by her stage name Kaffy, is a Nigerian dancer, choreographer, dance instructor and fitness coach.

She is also the founder and owner of Imagneto Dance Company and best known for breaking the Guinness World Record for “Longest Dance Party” at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon in 2006.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

An award-winning Nigeria Novelist, Writer of short stories, and non-fiction. Her critically acclaimed novel half of the yellow sun was adapted into a feature film.

Genevive Nnaji

She is a Nigerian actress, producer and director. Once referred to as the Julia Roberts of Africa by Oprah Winfrey.

Her movie lion-heart was the first original film from Nigeria to be acquired by the international streaming company Netflix.

Chioma Ajunwa

First West African woman as well as the first Nigerian to win an Olympic gold medal at 1996 summer Olympic in Atlanta.

She remains Nigeria only Olympic gold medallist.

Linda Ikeji

Ikeji is a Nigerian blogger, writer, and media entrepreneur. She was once featured on Forbes profile of Africa’s 20 most prominent women

Mosunmola Abudu

Usually known as Mo Abudu. She is a human resources management consultant and philanthropist, once described by Forbes as Africa’s most successful woman.

The media mogul’s first shot at movies, “Fifty,” was a hit that was soon followed by The Wedding Party 1 and 2, grossing over a N100m in cinemas in 2017.

Recently one of her creative works Chief Daddy was also acquired by Netflix.