Afrigather Because the world commemorates International Women’s Day 2024 this month with the theme “Spend money on Ladies: Speed up Progress,” let’s look into some distinctive Nigerian girls shining vivid on the worldwide stage.
These trailblazers will not be simply breaking obstacles however are additionally inspiring a wave of ladies throughout the globe. This yr, beneath the marketing campaign theme “Encourage Inclusion,” let’s rejoice some exceptional Nigerian girls who’re making important contributions overseas, throughout varied fields, and setting an ordinary for excellence and management.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a trailblazing Nigerian-American economist who has made important strides in international finance. As the primary Nigerian lady to function Finance Minister and Minister for Overseas Affairs, she performed a pivotal function in negotiating a considerable debt cancellation for Nigeria. Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure on the World Financial institution and her historic appointment as the primary feminine Director-Normal of the World Commerce Group are testaments to her management and experience. Her efforts in enhancing Nigeria’s monetary stability and selling fiscal transparency have earned her worldwide acclaim, making her one of the vital influential girls on the planet.
Ndidi Nwuneli
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is an entrepreneurial powerhouse with over 25 years of expertise in worldwide improvement, notably in African agriculture and vitamin. Because the founding father of LEAP Africa and African Meals Changemakers, and co-founder of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Vitamin Ltd. and AACE Meals Processing & Distribution Ltd., Nwuneli has been on the forefront of social innovation in Africa. Her latest appointment as CEO of the ONE marketing campaign underscores her dedication to combating excessive poverty and preventable illnesses in Africa, main a world group to drive change and encourage inclusion.
Adejoke Bakare
Adejoke Bakare is a culinary genius from Nigeria who has taken the UK by storm along with her West African-themed restaurant, Chishuru. Positioned in London, Chishuru has the consideration of being the UK’s first black female-owned restaurant to obtain a Michelin star, a testomony to Bakare’s distinctive cooking abilities. Her modern West African delicacies has attracted a large clientele and earned an ideal evaluation rating in The Sunday Occasions Journal. Bakare’s achievements have been acknowledged by Nice British Cooks and the Nationwide Restaurant Awards, the place her restaurant was listed among the many high 100 within the UK.
Abigail Marshall Katung
Abigail Wok Marshall Katung, a Nigerian-British politician, made historical past because the Lord Mayor of Leeds, changing into the primary elected African within the Leeds Metropolis Council. Her tenure has been marked by important achievements, together with the profitable prosecution within the case of David Oluwale, a Nigerian migrant who tragically died within the UK. As a two-term consultant for the Little London and Woodhouse Ward and co-chair of Leeds Metropolis Council’s official ‘Meals Champion,’ Katung has demonstrated her dedication to neighborhood service and social justice.
Simidele Adeagbo
Simidele Adeagbo, a Nigerian-born athlete, has made exceptional strides on the planet of winter sports activities. Competing within the 2018 Winter Olympics, she turned the primary African athlete to take part in bobsleigh on the IBSF World Championships. Adeagbo’s historic win within the 2022 EuroCup’s girls’s mono bob occasion marked her as the primary athlete from Africa to win a global sliding competitors. Her dedication to selling girls and women in sport by way of the SimiSleighs Basis and her recognition as an Olympian for Life spotlight her contributions to winter sports activities and the promotion of Olympic values.
Zain Asher
Zain Ejiofor Asher, a British Nigerian information anchor, has change into a outstanding determine at CNN Worldwide, co-anchoring the community’s primetime present One World from New York Metropolis. Asher has lined main international occasions, together with the Beirut explosion and the Finish SARS protests in Nigeria. Her memoir, The place The Kids Take Us, impressed by her Tedx discuss “Belief Your Battle,” displays her journey and her mom’s resilience in making certain her kids’s schooling and alternatives in England. Asher’s success and affect proceed to encourage girls worldwide.
Wunmi Mosaku
Wunmi Mosaku, a Nigerian-born British actress, has achieved exceptional success in her performing profession. Her highly effective efficiency in Damilola, Our Cherished Boy earned her a BAFTA TV Award for Greatest Supporting Actress.
Toyosi Ogunseye
Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye is a Nigerian journalist who broke obstacles as the primary feminine editor of Punch Newspaper in its 50-year historical past. With over 25 media awards, together with the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Yr Awards, Ogunseye’s work has had a major affect. Her management roles on the BBC World Service and as President & CEO of the USA Presidential Precinct exhibit her dedication to delivering impactful management programming and supporting rising leaders.
