International Women's Day 2021: Meet 9 Most Powerful Nigerian Women In The Entertainment Industry

International Women's Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrates women's achievement across the world, from politics to business to religion to sports to entertainment of all shapes and sizes.

The idea of this celebration is to give a historically marginalised gender it's time to be celebrated without the holds of patriarchy and toxic masculinity.

This year International Women's Day tagged #ChooseToChallenge, AllNews will be celebrating the groundbreaking achievements of women across the planet but focusing on the entertainment industry in order to pave the way for those looking to follow in their footsteps.

Here are just a few of the most powerful women who have made history in the world of entertainment through their reputation and vision to elevate the industry so far.

READ ALSO: International Women's Day 2021: Campaign Theme, History And How To Get Involved

Mo Abudu

Mosunmola Abudu popularly called Mo Abudu is a Nigerian filmmaker, director and media mogul who was rated as one of the "25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television" by 'The Hollywood Reporter' and described by Forbes as "Africa's Most Successful Woman" makes our top list of Nigerian most powerful women that have made history in the entertainment scene.

It could be recalled that Mo’s journey in the media started with 'Moments with Mo' in 2006, after a stint in the corporate world. 24 years later, she calls the shot in Entertainment media in Nigeria and Africa.

At the very top of her successful ventures is Ebony Life TV which has become one of the most important television networks in Africa. With her Ebony Life Films imprint, Mo has produced some of the biggest Nollywood movies in recent years like Wedding Party 1&2, Chief Daddy, Your Excellency and so forth.

Funke Akindele Bello

Funke Akindele Bello is unarguably one of the most powerful Nigerian women making waves in the entertainment industry. She is regarded as one of the prolific Nigerian actresses, film producer and director, her consistency over two decades has made her a force to reckon with.

READ ALSO: IWD #ChooseToChallenge: Exemplary Nigerian Women To Look Up To

Therefore, there is no way we will be celebrating powerful women in the entertainment industry on this occasion of International Women's Day and not mention her. 

From her break-out role in the popular 1990s educational TV drama series 'I Need To Know’ to the release of her 2008 hit movie Jenifa, Funke’s influence has since stretched from just in front of the camera to behind it.

Kemi Adetiba

This compilation of the most powerful Nigerian women in the entertainment industry is incomplete without mentioning a veteran Nigerian filmmaker and music video director, Kemi Adetiba.

Adetiba who kicked off her film career as a music video director with Niyola ‘Toh Bad’, Waje’s ‘Onye’, Tiwa Savage'sMy Darling’ among others is one of the most respected Nollywood directors in the entertainment scene and She was selected among groundbreaking women in the entertainment industry around the world for Netflix & United Nations Women initiatives ” Because She Watched ” to celebrates International Women’s Day yearly.

Adetiba is known for her unhinged creativity which has earned her intellectual acclaim after she directed her first movie titled 'The Wedding Party', one of Nollywood’s highest-grossing films and her sophomore feature film as a director of 'King of Boys' released in 2018, grossed N 244,011,753, earning it its spot as 5th highest-grossing Nollywood film. 

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a renowned Nigerian writer who is attracting a new generation of readers to African literature" through her novels to short stories to nonfiction.

The 43-year-old award-winning novelist and writer completely redefined the notion of who a woman should be as she speaks strongly on feminism and equal rights. Not only did her novel, Half of the Yellow Sun get recreated into a hit movie, but she has also received outstanding international accolades and has spoken in prestigious places like Harvard University, Yale University, Wellesley College to name a few.

And let’s not forget her feature in Beyoncé’s hit music, Flawless and her book Americanah which is already being adapted into a movie by Oscar-winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o

Wangi Mba-Uzokwu

Looking for the brain behind the success of the popular Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality television show, Wangi Mba-Uzokwu, M-Net  West Africa’s regional director is the real madam making all the viewers at home looking forward to the next edition. 

Aside from her role in the BBNaija show, Mba-Uzokwu is also known for the growth of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, an award platform that honours African film.

She is an expert in media and business strategist, and she is dedicated to creating entertainment content that attracts the African audience by Africans hence her passionate approach to Africa Magic originals featuring films and Series.

Genevieve Nnaji

Genevieve Nnaji is one of Nigeria's Nollywood’s trailblazing actors with international acclaim. The 41-year-old actress is Nollywood’s first director to have her film Lionheart acquired by Netflix and the first Nigerian film to be submitted for Oscar consideration.

 She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, making her the first actor to win the award. With nearly 2 decades of experience in the Nollywood industry, The ‘Nnaji’ brand is one to be reckoned with.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is also one of the women of influence in the Nigerian entertainment scene,  Osigwe who is a Nigerian filmmaker and entertainment executive fondly called "the queen of Nollywood films" is the founder of the globally acclaimed  Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), an annual award that recognises Africa’s film industry.

The media mogul’s passion for growth from Africa’s film content birthed the 15-year-old award that’s been applauded for immensely supporting African film industries.

She was bestowed a Member of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contribution to the entertainment industry and she is a Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) fellow. Aside from directing P-Square hip hop sensation in 2012.

Linda Ikeji

When you are talking about online media or blogging business in Nigeria, the name Linda Ikeji will surely be on top your presentation or discussion. Her success and influence over the last 13 years in Africa’s online media space can never be overstated.

Africa’s Blogging Queen started blogging in 2006, when Nigeria was yet to tap into the internet content marketing business. Her dedication and persistence over the years eventually paid off in a few years as she became one of the most powerful persons in the media.

However, the influence of her blog might have waned over the past few years, but she remains a force with the diversification of her media company.

Tiwa Savage

Tiwatope Savage, better known as Tiwa Savage is a Nigerian sensational singer, songwriter and music producer who have make name for herself in the Nigerian music scene.

The 41-year-old multi-awarding winning screen diva is a testament to the power of work ethic and perseverance. With multiple local and international awards under her belt, she is the aspiration of the African female act

While 2019 was slow for her, she still managed to get a deal with Universal Music Group aside from other ambassadorship deal she has won over the years.

She has multiple hit songs with local and international awards under her belt, she’s a symbol of hope for every aspiring young girl in Africa.