5 Nigerian Women Who Are Making Waves Globally

International Women’s Month acknowledges the courage, resilience, and enthusiastic determination of women globally. Here’s to celebrating the amazing women in our lives from your mother to your sisters and all the best girls in your life. 

We’ll be holding in high regard, 5 Nigerian women making waves, home and abroad. Paving the way for our corporate baddies, and being good sources of inspiration to the girl child.

Let’s get right into it.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala 

Having worked at the World Bank for more than 20 years, she is your typical Big Mummy. That aunty that’s pretty chill and laid back but still somehow looks intimidating to others.

Serving twice as Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, and currently the Seventh Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), this makes her the first woman and African to achieve this remarkable feat. She doesn’t just chill with the big boys, she is the Queen of the big boys.

She’s a global expert in Finance, an economist, and an advocate for fair trade and sustainable economic development. One of the most talked about Nigerian women making waves globally. She most definitely, is that Aunty, who spoils you well during the festive seasons.

Asisat Oshoala

Asisat Oshoala, Agba Baller! A talented footballer and Nigeria’s female team super striker, she probably was that girl you always see in your street playing football with boys and wondered why.  But her love and consistency towards football have shown that hard work truly does pay.

Coming from Lagos to winning African Women’s Footballer of the Year six times, and the first African player to score in three consecutive Fifa Women’s World Cup tournaments.. Lagos to the world!

A global football icon spotlighting women’s football in Nigeria and overseas. In 2015, she launched the Asisat Oshoala Foundation, a home for Nigerian girls in football, also aiming to empower young girls through sport, education, and mentorship. 

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche

Role Model 101 for every Female Nigerian writer, if Chimamanda had social media back when she started, you most likely would have fallen in love with short poems and stories on her page.

Now a globally recognized Nigerian writer with her work translated into over thirty languages. Her new book, Dream Counts which had its debut on the 3rd of March, is already long-listed for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Chimamanda is now that cool aunt that writes so well and speaks English so fluently. Her first novel, Purple Hibiscus written in 2003, won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and her second, Half of a Yellow Sun, won the Orange Prize. Her novel Americanah won the US National Book Critics Circle Award and was named one of The New York Times Top Ten Best Books of 2013.

Temilade Openiyi

Professionally known as Tems, she is now a global household name. If you don’t have a Tems song on your playlist, you shouldn’t be reading this post because, why don’t you?!.  She is recognized for her unique voice, her versatility between afrobeats, RnB, and soul music.

She has made a significant impact in the Nigerian and International music scene,  with fire hits on her debut EP, For Broken Ears, and some amazing collabs over the years with top artistes like Wizkid, Beyoncé, Drake, and Future to mention a few.

Stargirl Tems won her first Grammy in 2023 from a collaboration with Future and Drake on the song “Wait For U”. This year she won her first solo Grammy award for her song “Love Me Jeje” making her the first Nigerian Artist with multiple Grammys. She’s like that cool cousin you just can’t stop bragging about.

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Amina J. Mohammed

One-time Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, now holding a prestigious role as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.

Your model Arewa big aunty that has high connections in and out of the country, her one phone call can make even a completely blind person secure a job as a pilot.

Ms. Amina continues to shine globally as an enthusiastic Climate Warrior on the frontline according to Vogue. And was also named as one of the World’s Greatest Female Leaders by Fortune.

Women play the most important part in shaping our surrounding communities. These women are living proof that Nigerian excellence knows no bounds. They continue to shatter ceilings and inspire generations.

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So, as International Women’s Month rolls on, let’s celebrate them; not just with hashtags and reposts, but by supporting, amplifying, and championing the women in our own circles. Whether it’s your friend chasing her dreams, your sister breaking barriers, or your mum holding it all together like the superhero she is – give them their flowers now, not later.

Here’s to Nigerian women making waves globally today, tomorrow, and forever! 

Join us in celebrating our strong, amazing women this month on the Fusion community!