• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

As the world marks International Women's Day 2026, Nigeria joins the global community in celebrating Women's achievements and reflecting on the challenges they face. This year's themes, "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls" and "Give to Gain," emphasise the importance of dismantling barriers and investing in women's empowerment. In Nigeria, women are leading the charge, breaking down barriers and uplifting their communities through art, mentorship, and advocacy. From actresses using their platforms to raise awareness and support for women's rights, to women in tech pioneering innovations and advocating for girls' education in STEM fields, Nigerian women are making a difference. These inspiring women are living out the themes of IWD 2026 by defending, mentoring, and empowering their communities. Their work highlights the impact of investing in women and the collective prosperity that follows. The international community comes together today to celebrate women's achievements and reaffirm commitment to gender equality. In Nigeria, the celebration serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work still needed to ensure equality for all women and girls. In 2025 and 2026, Nigerian women have continued to dominate key sectors, breaking global records in filmmaking, pioneering financial technology, and leading international trade. Here are 20 Nigerian women whose remarkable achievements we celebrate this International Women's Day. Entrepreneurship & Corporate Leadership 1. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: She continues her historic tenure as the first woman and African Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In December 2025, she was ranked among the Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women for her role in global economic policy. 2. Ibukun Awosika: Ibukun Awosika is one of Nigeria's most influential business leaders. She made history as the first female Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria and is the founder of The Chair Centre Group, building a successful enterprise from the ground up. Beyond business, she champions women's leadership and youth empowerment through mentorship programs and initiatives that help young Nigerians develop skills and access opportunities. Through her leadership and advocacy, Awosika continues to inspire a new generation of women to lead with vision and impact. 3. Odunayo Eweniyi: Co-founder of PiggyVest, Nigeria's largest digital savings platform, and FirstCheck Africa, a female-led angel fund. She has been recognised on the TIME100 Next list for bridging the gender funding gap in tech. 4. Adenike Macaulay: Serves as the CEO of Wakanow, Africa's leading travel agency, where she has been recognised as a top role model for diversity and inclusion. 5. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Adichie remains a literary powerhouse whose words continue to shape global conversations about identity, feminism, race, and culture. Her books and talks have connected deeply with readers across continents, helping to redefine how African stories and perspectives are understood. She continues to represent Nigerian literature with grace, intelligence, and cultural influence. 6. Tara Fela-Durotoye: Founder of House of Tara International, she pioneered the professional makeup industry in Nigeria and has empowered over 10,000 beauty entrepreneurs. 7. Amina Mohammed: Serving as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mohammed brings Nigerian leadership to global diplomacy. She plays a central role in advancing sustainable development goals and championing issues like climate action, women's empowerment, and global cooperation. Her work on the world stage continues to uplift Nigeria's reputation and deepen international partnerships for sustainable growth. 8. Hilda Baci: She is an award-winning Nigerian celebrity chef and entrepreneur who officially holds three Guinness World Record titles as of early 2026. Baci first gained global recognition in 2023 for her record-breaking cooking marathon, where she cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes non-stop but she didn't stop there. In 2025, she broke two other records by preparing the world's largest serving of jollof rice, weighing a whopping 8,780 kg. This feat not only showcased her culinary skills but also put Nigerian cuisine on the global map. Hilda's latest record has made her the first Nigerian chef to hold two Guinness World Record titles simultaneously, and she's now a symbol of Nigerian excellence and creativity. Filmmaking & Media 1. Funke Akindele: Known as Nollywood's "Box Office Queen," her late-2025 film Behind The Scenes became the first Nollywood film to gross over N2 billion at the African box office by January 2026. She holds the record for the highest-grossing filmmaker in West Africa with cumulative earnings exceeding N7 billion. 2. Mo Abudu: Founder of EbonyLife Media, she launched the streaming app EbonyLife ON Plus in November 2025. She was named one of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes and one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in 2025. 3. Kemi Adetiba: Renowned for the King of Boys franchise, she announced her fifth feature film in early 2026 following the global success of her Netflix series To Kill a Monkey. 4. Bolanle Austen-Peters: Founder of Terra Kulture, she recently unveiled the BAP Film Village, a 10,000-acre facility in Lagos to support high-quality African storytelling. 5. Toyin Abraham: She is a talented actress, director, and producer breaking barriers in Nigerian cinema. Known for her versatility and captivating performances, Toyin Abraham is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. She's starred in hit movies like "Alakada" and "Oversabi Aunty," and is making her mark behind the camera with critically acclaimed films. Her passion and dedication are inspiring others in the entertainment industry. 6. Ruth Kadiri: A digital pioneer who has expanded Nollywood into Francophone Africa via her YouTube channel and FrenchTV247, which has nearly 2 million subscribers. Music & Entertainment 1. Waje: Soulful singer-songwriter known for hits like "So Good" and advocating for women's rights. She's also a strong voice for social justice and empowerment. 2. Yemi Alade: Energetic performer and empowering lyricist with global recognition. She's known for her vibrant stage presence and catchy songs like "Johnny". 3. Omawumi: Talented singer-songwriter with a unique sound and emotive performances. She's made a name for herself in the Nigerian music industry with hits like "If You Stay". 4. Tiwa Savage: Remains a leading figure in the industry, continuing to represent African music on the world stage through global collaborations and performances. 5. Tems: Sustained her global superstardom through 2025 with international tours and high-profile releases. She has previously won a Grammy and multiple NAACP Image Awards. 6. Ayra Starr: Recognised as a reigning queen of female artistry in 2025, she has shattered records at just 22 years old, rewriting the rules for Afrobeats globally. Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/iwd-2026-celebrating-20-inspiring-nigerian-women/