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Happy International Women’s Day to every woman making an impact in their communities.
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Nigerian women making global impacts you should know.
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Rights of women everyone should know and uphold.
From time immemorial, women have been the salt that seasoned homes, societies and organizations. Setting aside a day to celebrate and recognize their labours is something worthy.
The 2025 International Women’s Day is today, March 8, 2025. This day is dedicated to honour the incredible sacrifices women pay, the love they give, the time they create, the counsels they offer and their contributions towards growth and development in families and organizations.
The year’s theme is, “Accelerate Action” which emphasizes the urgent need to gear up toward gender equality.
According to the World Economic Forum, with the current pace of action in the world, full gender equality may not be reached until 2158 (more than a hundred years from !) This is a clear call to push for faster change.
Rights of every woman
- Gender Equality: An equal opportunity for education, life, work, leadership in all sectors including the right to vote and be voted for.
- Elimination of Violence: A woman should not be a victim of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking. All these are to be eliminated. But unfortunately, many nations are yet to do so.
- Economic Empowerment: There is need to bridge the gender gap in labour employment, pay and access to resources.
- Political Participation: Women have the right of participation in government. This shouldn’t be denied of them.
- Health and Education: Every woman should have access to quality health care services and education. Girl child marriage should be abolished.
READ ALSO: Forbes 2025 African Women Awards: Okonjo-Iweala, Tiwa Savage, Nissi Ogulu, Honoured Amongst Others [See Full List]
International Women’s Day (IWD) is more than just a celebration. It is an effort to recognize, appreciate and honour women who inspire, uplift and drive changes in their communities.
Women are great support systems, offering shoulders for burdens, leading proactive teams in their careers and birthing amazing children. Childbirth has been said to be one of the most painful acts in the world according to a study on pregnancy and childbirth.
IWD is also an avenue to showcase the achievements of women in different fields: from leadership, creativity, tech, innovation and activism, women have continued to break limits, set pace and shape a better future.
Daily reports Nigeria has compiled seven iconic women leading the world in powerful ways.
7. Temidayo Odusolu
The brainbox and founder of Ade + Ayo, a children’s clothing brand inspired by traditional African prints. Temidayo Odusolu provided solution to the scarcity of African-culture-based baby products. Her brand enables parents to integrate rich heritage into their children’s lives, fostering cultural pride and accessibility.
6. Aisha Yesufu
Aisha Yesufu is a prominent activist and businesswoman, co-founding the #BringBackOurGirls movement in response to the 2014 abduction of over 200 schoolgirls by Boko Haram. She also played a pivotal role in the End SARS protests against police brutality. Her fearless stance has made her an emblem of resistance and advocacy in Nigeria.
5. Veekee James
Ruth Erikan James popularly known as Vekee Jameson is a distinguished fashion designer, gospel singer, and entrepreneur. Founder of Veekee James Fashion Brand, one of Nigeria’s leading luxury fashion labels. Her self-taught journey from a struggling tailor to a global fashion brand is inspiring. She represents the new wave of young, innovative Nigerian women who have transformed the fashion industry through digital entrepreneurship and modern African design.
Winner of AMVCA Best Designer Award (2022)—one of the most prestigious fashion awards in Africa. Veekee James MasterClass (2023) which empowered over 100 upcoming designers from around the world. Multiple Bridal Fashion Awards, establishing her as the go-to designer for Nigerian celebrity weddings.
Also, her online influence as her brand commands a massive following on social media, setting bridal fashion trends across Africa. She also ventured into FavyTale, a gifting brand and other numerous ones like Zion Worship and the rest.
4. Yemi Alade: Afrobeats Queen
Yemi Alade celebrated as the “Queen of Afrobeats,” continues to elevate Nigerian music on the global stage. Her dynamic performances and vibrant sound with cultural undertone and Africanness have captivated audiences worldwide.
She’s the first female African artist to hit 100M+ YouTube views (Johnny), named UNDP Goodwill Ambassador for her humanitarian work, won MTV Africa Music Awards (Best Female) twice, performed at Global Citizen & United Nations events, engaged in collaborations with Angélique Kidjo, Rick Ross, and Beyoncé (The Lion King: The Gift) and many more.
Alade’s upcoming debut at the WOMADelaide music festival in Australia from March 7-10, 2025, exemplifies her international appeal and dedication to spreading African culture through her artistry.
3. Funke Akindele (jenifa)
Funke Akindele’s influence in Nollywood, pop culture, and box office dominance earned her the name “Nollywood’s Box Office Queen”. She is the most successful Nigerian actress-producer. Her movies Battle on Buka Street (2022), A Tribe Called Judah (2023), and Everybody Loves Jenifa are the highest-grossing Nollywood films ever.
She’s a multiple Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) winner and is celebrated for her acting in Jenifa’s Diary, which reshaped Nigerian TV comedy. Forbes-listed as one of Africa’s most powerful women in entertainment. Intriguing political impact as she ran for Deputy Governor of Lagos State in 2023, showing influence beyond entertainment.
2. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adichie is a powerful storytelling and advocacy personality. As a Renowned author, she has significantly influenced contemporary literature. Her books, including Half of a Yellow Sun, “Americannah” and We Should All Be Feminists, have sparked global conversations on gender equality and African identity.
Her latest novel, “Dream Count,” released earlier this week, delves into the lives of four women navigating personal and societal challenges between Nigeria and Washington, D.C. Adichie’s storytelling continues to shed light on feminist themes and African narratives.
She is the winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction & National Book Critics Circle Award.
Featured in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.
Her TED Talk “We Should All Be Feminists” has over 8 million views.
1. Ngozi Okono Iweala (First African Woman to Lead the World Trade Organization)
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a globally recognized economist and the first African woman to serve as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). She has played a crucial role in shaping global trade policies, advocating for economic reforms, and promoting Africa’s role in international commerce.
She’s the first female Finance Minister of Nigeria, and stood in the fight against corruption in her time. She has been recognized as TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, featured in both 2014 and 2021.
She has an American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2019) membership recognition, Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON, 2022), Golden Plate Award (2022), Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in the World list multiple times. Forbes African Women of the year, which she won the Lifetime Achievement Award 2025. Mrs Okonjo drives global economic policies that benefit developing nations.
Today’s celebration will not also forget Alma Asinobi, the 26- year- old woman who is set to challenge Guinness global travel records by attempting to traverse all seven continents in 60 hours. Her endeavor aims to highlight the challenges of traveling with a Nigerian passport and inspire others to defy limitations. She personifies the adage, “impossibility is possible”.
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