Hello everyone and welcome to a wonderful New Year!
We couldn’t think of a better way to start 2018 than by celebrating the women who have devoted a considerable portion of their lives activities to empowering other women. The women included in our #womensupportingwomen Power List show every day that supporting women is much more than a hashtag or an Instagram post but requires dedication, strategy, execution but most importantly a deep passion to see other women succeed.
Supporting or empowering others may sometimes seem like a thankless task but we hope that by shinning the spotlight on these women we will not only celebrate the very much needed and excellent work they do but also show the amazing drive and impact they continue to create.
We acknowledge that this list may not be entirely exhaustive as there are many more women in the public eye, and outside of it, who continue to inspire, empower, protect, educate, advocate for and make it their lives work to create opportunities for women other than themselves to succeed. The women on this list represent many more women who we continue to celebrate, acknowledge and thank!
HEALTH
1. Tade Alalade
Tade is the founder of BeiBei Haven an NGO set up to offer free support services to women and couples on their fertility journey. Tade saw a need to set up the foundation following personal fertility challenges and the need to support women with similar issues. BeiBei Haven now provides financial support to women undergoing fertility treatments. The organization also organizes annual Fertility Walks with the objective to remove the stigma around fertility issues, support couples and provide education. Her work has brought about local and international recognition as she was chosen as one of BBC 100 women who are impacting and inspiring others globally and one of 100 inspiring Nigerian women for International Women’s Day.
2. Hauwa Ojeifo
Hauwa is the founder of SheWritesWoman, a movement of love, hope and support for women that live with mental disorders. Four months after she was diagnosed with bipolar2 and post-traumatic stress disorder in December 2015, Hauwa created a channel to speak for herself especially when it’s hard getting someone to talk to about mental illness. Today, SWW has grown to become a safe haven for women living with mental illness. In 2017, Hauwa Ojeifo was chosen as one of Queen’s Young Leaders Award winners in recognition of her work
3. Adedamola Ladejobi
Damola is a professional nutritionist and weight loss expert whose passion for her platform spurred out of a Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease which caused her drastic weight increment. Her platform ‘Ask Damz’, is tailored to her personal experience and is dedicated to supporting and advising women who struggle with similar weight-loss issues. Through her social media platform and nutritional programme, she has created a movement of women who are reclaiming their body images and learning more about leading healthier lifestyles.
4. Adepeju Jaiyeoba
Although Adepeju had zero experience in the field of medicine her unwavering desire to help sanitize the health sector and reduce the number of maternal and child mortality led her to start Mother’s Delivery Kit. The enterprise has been a resounding success since it was launched. It is currently in 30 out of the 36 states in Nigeria and more than 50,000 women and babies have been reached with necessary maternal supplies. In 2015 Adepeju was honored by Barack Obama as a Mandela Washington Fellow for Young African Leaders (YALI).
CAREER
- Foluso Gbadamosi
- Chinwe Egwim
Chinwe is a seasoned Economist with the principal focus on sub-Saharan Africa. She currently works in the macroeconomic and fixed income research unit at FBN Capital. Chinwe has over 100 published economic notes under her belt and has co-authored multiple macroeconomic and fixed income reports. She is an associate member of the Nigerian Economic Society and also WIMBIZ (Women in Management and Business). Asides from her 9 to 5 roles, Chinwe continues to support women-run businesses providing mentorship and advisory services for career women and female entrepreneurs.
- Kemi Onabanjo
Kemi is currently a consultant for McKinsey & Company. In addition to her client work, she is a member of the board of trustees for Helping Other People Excel (HOPE), an NGO whose theory of change is that developing leadership skills in Nigeria’s teenagers today will cultivate change agents who will drive social change in the country.
Kemi continues to provide mentorship to young career women through one on one support and through various speaking opportunities where she regularly shares career development tips and opportunities.
- Ivie Ogbonmwan
Ivie is the Human Resources Manager at Aspire Coronation Trust and has an extensive Background in HR generalist affairs including change management, HR policies development, HR records management and employee welfare. Through her personal social media platform, Ivie continues to provide prime career development advice and support for young job seekers and professional women alike. Her Instagram feed is a treasure trove of career tips and nuggets and is a must follow for the savvy career woman.
BUSINESS/ECONOMIC
9 and 10 Afua Osei and Yamin Osagie
Both Co-founders of She Leads Africa, need no introduction. In a few years, they have both created what can only be a movement for female entrepreneurs in Africa. SLA is dedicated to empowering the next generation of African Women Entrepreneurs and Career Women. Its flagship program, the Entrepreneur Showcase shines the spotlight on women driving Africa’s growth through leadership, commerce and innovation. The Slay festivals and She Hive events also provide learning and development opportunities for female entrepreneurs.
- Chineye Nnoli
Chineye is a Lawyer, Poet, and Entrepreneur and the CEO/Founder of Metro Woman – a media production company that produces content that inspires, educate and entertains women. Nenye, as she is fondly called, is also the host of the Metro Woman Talk Show – a platform that highlights the achievements of female entrepreneurs and explores the solutions to the challenges modern women face daily. According to her: “Our mission is to help women live their best lives.” Chinenye recently launched the Metro Woman Market Place – a product and ideas showcase for female entrepreneurs.
- Nkem Christiana Okocha
Nkem is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Mama-moni, an initiative that empowers rural and urban slum women with free vocational skills, helps them to embrace banking and thereafter provide access to finance. She is passionate about uplifting poor women out of poverty and to organizing empowerment programs, financial inclusion and mobile money for them. Her mission is aptly captured in the expression: “No woman chose to be poor, but we can choose to help poor women by investing in them.”
- Enimien Etomi Inegbedion
Enimien is the founder of Six Weeks to Startup, an organization that provides essential skills for women who are transitioning into entrepreneurship. She is also the creator of Confessions of Christian Wives, a platform which aims to inspire and encourage women through their life journey as children of God, wives, mothers, as well as in their careers and ministries.
- Nelly Agbogu
Nelly is the founder of Naija Brand Chick, a social media platform which has helped women harness the possibilities of digital marketing to scale their brands and reach new customers. Through her no holds barred approach, Nelly provides one on one coaching and group courses to female entrepreneurs. Her social media platform also provides punchy anecdotes and tips on how to use social media to increase sales.
- Bolanle Olukanni
Bolanle known mostly for her role as a TV presenter, Bolanle switched things up with the launch of her new project #GodsWives-a foundation created to advocate, empower and motivate the needs of marginalized women in our communities. The project which was kicked off by a documentary sheds light on the plight of widows in Nigeria. The documentary was inspired after Bolanle began working with widows from the Self-Worth Empowerment centre, an NGO that provides group therapy, empowerment courses, and access to self-improvement.
- Mary Olushoga
Mary is founder of the African Women Power (AWP) Network a platform powering small business success for African female entrepreneurs. In 2017 Mary won the empowerment award at the Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) conference. Ochem, Founder of AWIEF noted that , “entrepreneurship is indispensable to the economic development of a nation and innovation is a key factor for business growth….We are indeed delighted and honoured to present this award to Mary Olushoga for her work towards supporting and empowering the African woman.”
17. Comfort Sakoma
Comfort has dedicated herself to helping women find fulfillment in their business. She founded Poize Magazine and the Poize Centre for Entrepreneurial Development in Africa, which work together to help women in Africa build businesses that thrive and grow to maturity.Through the network, she has assisted more than 150 women owned businesses to develop brand strategies, pursue global partnerships, and expand their trade capacity. She won the award for Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business and Government in two categories: country (Nigeria) and regional (West-Central Africa) by CEO Global in 2016.
ADVOCACY
18. Esther Ijewere
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.
19. Mercy Makinde
Mercy Makinde is the founder of Amazing Amazon Initiative- a support group for women from all walks of life designed to mentor, motivate, inspire and empower them to become the very best. Mercy is also a seasoned Entrepreneur, Writer, Speaker and Enterprise advocate. She is the CEO of IASPIRE RADIO – Nigeria’s first Motivational Radio Station- The Voice of Reawakening.
SPIRITUAL
20. Esther Longe
Esther is the founder Girl talk, a platform created to fulfill the need to provide a safe place for Christian women to share, learn and grow together in God.Through Girl Talk Conferences the platform aims to equip women leaders to function effectively by providing an avenue for them to renew, refresh and recharge their minds before God.
21. Funto Ibuoye
Funto is a young and dynamic Nigerian Author and Chartered Accountant. She is passionate about nation building and helping women live up to their full potential and strongly believes that the empowered woman is one of the greatest assets of a thriving society/nation. She is the founder of The Beautified Network, a for-purpose initiative that is focused on enabling women to discover and live in the fullness of their God-given purpose
22. Omilola Oshikoya
Omilola is a certified wealth and life coach, international motivational speaker and talk show host. Her book the Richer Woman is an autobiographical and inspirational book which has inspired various women around the world. In the book, Omilola shares her story of the pursuit of money as a young woman, taking her on a journey of career validation, personal identity, marital conflict, adultery and spiritual enlightenment, leading her to the discovery of true wealth and purpose.
INSPIRATIONAL/LIFESTYLE
23. Nkem Onwudiwe
Nkem is the founder of Her.Network – a platform which seeks to bridge and connect women all over the world. Nkem shows that women inspiring women is not just a buzz word, and in 2017 extended the remit of HerNetwork to include the Her Network Women of the Year Awards- a worthy celebration of everyday women doing extraordinary things.
24. Chinny Okoye
Chinny is the founder of The Women International (TWI), a Self Improvement and Personal Development platform for women dedicated to helping women from all walks of life build a better future for themselves, their families, and their business by creating events geared towards realizing their full potential both personally and professionally in order to live a purpose-driven life.
25. Francesca Uriri
Francesca is a Public Relations and Communications expert with over 10 years’ experience spanning corporate relations, corporate reputation management, event architecture, media management and content development. She is the Founder of Leading Ladies Africa; an organization that equips African women with the skills they need to succeed in life and business. She does this through effective mentoring, organizing capacity building events, and showcasing the achievements of successful women to inspire others. She’s deeply committed to ensuring that African women achieve their set goals in life.
TECHNOLOGY
26. Stephanie Obi
Stephanie is the CEO of ST HUB LIMITED and is popularly referred to as the Queen of Online Courses because she helps women entrepreneurs to create, launch and sell online courses. She is also the founder of Steph B-School, an online business school that helps women entrepreneurs to get more customers online. Through her website, www.stephanieobi.com, she has impacted over 82,000 people in over 10 countries, teaching them how to change their lives and change the world by leveraging on the internet. With more than 500 people enrolled in her online courses, she has developed a proven system of creating irresistible online courses, and selling online whilst impacting lives.
27. Oreoluwa Somolu-Lesi,
Oreoluwa is the founder of WTEC, which stands for Women’s Technology Empowerment Center is a non-profit organization working to encourage Nigerian girls to use technology to empower themselves socially and economically. Well-known for its technology camp, the organization prides itself in introducing young girls to technology and helping to develop their bright minds.
28. Unoma Okorafor
Unoma is the founder of Working to Advance African Women (WAAW) Foundation an organisation well-known for its summer camps and scholarships for African girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – the WAAW Foundation is on a mission to empower girls throughout Africa by increasing the pipeline of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.
29. Chioma Agwuegbo
Chioma is a Communications and Social Media Strategist and an entrepreneur; teaching government agencies, organizations, religious bodies and individuals to communicate effectively with their audiences. She is also Founder of TechHer (www.techherng.com), a community hinged on learning, support, and collaboration for women in technology.
FINANCE
30. Tomie Balogun
Tomie is a Certified Financial Educator Instructor (CFEI) and investment club expert. She is on a mission to educate savvy women (and men) on how to put money to work to achieve financial freedom and start investment clubs. Tomie volunteers at Afara Leadership Centre, a centre created for young female college students to learn necessary leadership and entrepreneurial skills not typically taught in the Nigerian education curriculum.
31. Arese Ugwu-
Arese is a Personal Finance and Wealth Management expert. She is the author of hugely popular The Smart Money Woman, a novel that has encouraged women to make more savvy decisions with regards to their finances and wealth creation. In 2016, Arese won the Remy Martin’s ‘Pacesetter’ award, and also an associate member of WIMBIZ.
32. Bola Onada Sokunbi,
Bola is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), money expert influencer and the founder/CEO of Clever Girl Finance- a financial empowerment platform for women who want to take charge of their finances and lay a solid financial foundation for themselves in order to live life on their own terms. Through her coaching and accountability programs, Bola is helping women become women become accountable, ditch debt, save money and build real wealth.
FASHION/BEAUTY
33. Makioba Susan Bob-Manuel Olugbile
Susan is a plus size fashion designer and through her brand Makioba, there is no doubt that she has put the plus size woman on the fashion map. Her unique, sexy and comfortable designs for the curvy woman have made her a power fashion brand and a must wear for the discerning woman.
34. Honey Ogundeyi
Honey is about Africa, Fashion, Technology and building great brands. She is the CEO, Founder at Fashpa.com, one of Nigeria’s first fashion e-commerce platforms which debuted because of her passion to make fashion more accessible for African women.
35. Sophia Ike-Onu:
Sophia is the founder of the The5kShop an online retail store, stocking fashion and home solutions all under the price cap of 5000 Naira. While her site serves both men and women any woman who can provide quality and budget fashion items is aces in our book!
36. Louisa Kinoshi
Louisa is the Founder of BeautyRevNG.com, an e-commerce and online community for African makeup artists, beauty bloggers and makeup enthusiasts. This niche e-commerce site provides cool, edgy global and indigenous makeup brands at the click of a button. Louisa took second place at the 2017 Dark and Lovely-SLA Beauty Accelerator Demo Day. BeautyRevNg is fast becoming every Nigerian and African woman’s go to beauty place.
37. Latasha Ngwube
Latasha is the founder of Aboutthatcurvylife, ATCL, an initiative that started out as a body positive advocacy movement on Instagram for plus size women. At the 2016 edition of Africa’s largest gathering of fashion stakeholders and enthusiasts- Lagos Fashion and Design Week, About That Curvy Life Collective made its debut appearance before an audience who were mostly witnessing the campaign for body positivity and inclusion firsthand, for the first time. Latasha is therefore credited in many quarters for mainstreaming the plus size fashion industry in Nigeria
PARENTING
38. Yetty Williams-
Yetty is the founder of LagosMums.com, the first blog/website in Nigeria dedicated to Mums, parents and caregivers as they go through the parenting journey. LagosMums which won in the Social Media/Online media category in the ELOY (Exquisite Lady of the Year) 2015 Awards has grown organically and is active on social media with a followership across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram of over 50,000 followers. The Company holds events and seminars to discuss various parenting matters.
39. Maky Benson
Maky is an economist turned lifestyle and parenting blogger. She published her cook book titled ‘ Micah’s meals’, a book which contains several recipes for babies, toddlers and beyond. Her book was inspired by her decision to feed her first child, Micah home-made and healthy food. In 2014, she started the lifestyle and parenting blog, Maky’s Corner and later on published her first baby/toddler cookbook, Micah’s Meals.
This list is powered by Inspiredbyglory.com
Powerlist Photo Credit to- Gazmadu Studios
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