Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and Mo Abudu, the media entrepreneur, have been named among the ‘world’s 100 most powerful women in 2023’ by Forbes, the US business magazine.
In a feature published on Tuesday, Forbes said the list was compiled using four metrics — money, media, impact, and spheres of influence.
The magazine said approach ensures the list recognises women who are not only financially powerful but also making a significant impact on the world.
“The 2023 Power List was determined by four main metrics: money, media, impact, and spheres of influence,” Forbes wrote.
“For political leaders, we weighed gross domestic products and populations; for corporate chiefs, revenues, valuations, and employee counts were critical.
“Media mentions and social reach were analyzed for all. The result: 100 women who are shaping the policies, products, and political fights that define our world.”
Okonjo-Iweala and Abudu both secured the 87th and 98th spots, respectively.
Other women who made the list include Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, and Kamala Harris.
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 recognised 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. She is also the founder of the Ebony Life Television.
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.
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