Okonjo-Iweala, Mo Abudu makes Forbes’s 2023 most powerful women in the world

Ngozi Okonjo–Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation and Media personality Mo Abudu are among the most powerful women in the world.

They rank numbers 87 and 98, respectively.

The 2023 Forbes list of the world’s most powerful women was released Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

The list, curated using ‘four main metrics: money, media, impact, and spheres of influence,’ comprised 100 women excelling in various fields, including politics, business, technology, media&entertainment, amongst others.

This year’s top 100 females list featured women from six categories — business (37), technology (9), finance (19), media & entertainment (12), politics & policy (18), and philanthropy (5).

This is not the first time Nigerian women have been recognized by Forbes.

In 2020, Okonjo-Iweala was named Forbes’ ‘African Woman of the Year’.

She has also been included on Forbes’ ‘most powerful women’ list in 2021 and 2022.

Okonjo-Iweala is an economist and international development professional.

She has more than 30 years of experience working in various parts of the world.

In March 2021, she became the first woman and the first African to serve as the WTO’s DG.

Okonjo-Iweala served as Nigeria’s finance minister for two terms — from 2003-2006 and 2011-2015. She also briefly acted as the country’s foreign minister in 2006.

Abudu, on the other hand, made her first appearance on the list with the 99th position in 2022.

She rose to prominence after she created, produced, and presented ‘Moments with Mo’ in 2006.

Abudu started Ebonylife TV, a network that now airs in more than 49 countries across Africa, as well as in the UK and the Caribbean.

Over the years, EbonylifeTV has struck major partnership deals with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks and Netflix.

The deal with Netflix marked the first time an African media company signed a multi-title film and TV agreement with the streaming giant..

Abudu was born in London but was sent by her parents to live with her grandmother in Nigeria when she was 7; she returned to Britain four years later.

She is a movie producer and has produced several films, including ‘The Wedding Party,’ ‘The Royal Hibiscus Hotel,’ ‘Chief Daddy,’ ‘Your Excellency,’ and ‘Òlòtūré.’

She has also received several recognitions for her craft.

NBA