International Women's Day: 5 Most powerful female celebrities in Nigeria

It's International women's day today, March 8, 2017.

In celebration of the economic, political, and social achievements of women in Nigeria, Pulse presents a list of the most powerful female entertainers in Nigeria at the moment.

From 'Africa's most successful woman' Mo Abudu to 2013 Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, below are 5 most powerful female celebrities in Nigeria.

1. Mo Abudu

Mosunmola Abudu is a Nigerian talk show host, TV producer, media personality, human resources management consultant, entrepreneur and a philanthropist.

Mo comes first in this list as she has been described by Forbes as "Africa's Most Successful Woman".

Abudu is the Executive Producer & host of a TV talk show, Moments with Mo, which is the first syndicated daily talk show on African regional television. Guests have included celebrities, Presidents, Nobel Laureates, and the 67th US Secretary-of-StateHillary Clinton.

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Mo Abudu at her birthday party in Toronto 

(R & B Public Relations)

She launched Ebony Life Television,[10] "Africa's first Global Black Multi-Broadcast Entertainment Network" on 1 July 2013.

In 1993, she joined Arthur Andersen for Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited (now ExxonMobil) to head their Human Resources and Training unit.

She left in 2000 to establish a privately owned specialist human resources development company known as Vic Lawrence & Associates Limited (popularly known as VLA).

2. Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

With a career spanning over 21 years, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is a Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist and former model of an Ondo descent from Lagos, Nigeria.

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Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde visits the Big Brother house

 (twitter)

Her acting career kicked off in the 1995 movie Venom of Justice, directed by Reginald Ebere. She was given the lead role in the movie, which set the stage for a flourishing career in the Nollywood film industry.

Omotola Ekeinde got her big break in the critically acclaimed film Mortal Inheritance (1995).

Ever since then, she has not looked back and has starred in several blockbuster movies, including Games Women Play, Blood Sisters, All My Life, Last Wedding, My Story, The Woman in Me and a host of others.

The leading actress has appeared in 300 films, selling millions of video copies. She has been revered by the press as the "African Magic".

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Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde

She is also applauded for her remarkable humanitarian efforts. Over the years, Omotola has successfully become the most watched actress in Africa.

In 2013, she was honoured in Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton.

3. Genevieve Nnaji

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Genevieve Nnaji

 (Guardian Life)

 

Genevieve Nnaji was born in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria but grew up in Lagos. She started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of 8. In 1998 at the age of 19 she was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie "Most Wanted".

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Genevieve Nnaji

 (Instagram)

In 2010, she starred in the award winning film Ijé: The Journey. Nnaji has starred in over 80 Nollywood movies.Genevieve Nnaji is considered to be one of the best paid actresses in Nollywood. In 2009, she was referred to as the Julia Roberts of Africa by Oprah Winfrey.

In 2004 she signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album One Logologo Line.

4. Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage is a triple threat with her natural songwriting ability, her electrifying stage presence and a voice that stays powerful through many stages.

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Tiwa Savage at the 2017 Essence's 'Black women In Music' event

 (Getty Images)

Tiwa warmed her way into our hearts with the single “Kele Kele Love”, which went on to become an anthem for women everywhere around as it took the number one spot on numerous radio and television stations across the continent.

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Tiwa Savage hangs out with Jay Z and P Diddy

 (instagram)

She has her big break at the age of i6 when she started off a background singer for George Michael. Her determination didn’t stop there as she went on to do backup singing for a host of artistes including Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, Kelly Clarkson, Andreas Bocelli, Ms Dynamite, and much more.

5. Emem Isong

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Emem Isong

 

With a well celebrated film-making career, spanning over a decade in Nollywood, Emem is a filmmaker extraordinaire. Also a writer and CEO of Royal Arts Academy, the Akwa Ibom-born director has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Nigerian film industry.

Beginning her career in 1994, she has excelled in writing and producing movies and has earned her place in Nollywood as one of the best screenplay writers.

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Emem Isong

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts from the University of Calabar and a diploma in computer science from the Computer Science Institute (NCR).

Since 1994, Emem has written and produced more than 17 movies some of which have won awards both nationally and internationally.