Life Lessons To Learn From 7 Powerful Women In The Nigerian Business World

There are women in the Nigerian business world who have and are still inspiring thousands of other women to greatness. As the role of mentorship in self-development can never be overemphasized, you too should get to know some of the women.
They have faced seemingly impossible challenges and succeeded, challenged the status quo in their field of practice and have proven that irrespective of gender, anyone can attain greatness when they put their hearts to it.
On this note, we present to you 7 Nigerian women who came, saw and conquered the world of Nigerian business.

1. Folorunsho Alakija

Listed as the 87th Most Powerful Woman in the world by Forbes as at 2015, Folorunsho Alakija is the epitome of Alpha female in the Nigerian business world. Being the richest woman in Africa, Folorunsho’s incredible rise from being a fashion entrepreneur to owning an oil company and a publishing company is a story that has been retold several times.

One lesson you can learn from this passionate lady is to take advantage of opportunities.

2. Mo Abudu

Mo is just as beautiful as she is media-savvy. Described by Forbes as Africa’s Most Successful Woman, Mo started her career as a recruitment consultant in the UK. In the year 2000, Mo established Vic Lawrence & Associates, a specialist human resource development company and made a success of it as well. In 2013 Mo became the first woman to own a pan-African television channel after establishing Ebony Life TV, a multi-channel broadcaster.

One lesson to take away from this that a CEO is not groomed in one day.

3. Tara Fela-Durotoye

Tara saw the future of makeup business in Nigeria even as an undergraduate studying Law at the Lagos State University. Despite having a Law degree, she took the plunge and went full time into her own makeup business. She is credited to be the pioneer of bridal makeup in Nigeria and the founder of the first makeup school as well.

A lesson we can learn from Tara is to never be afraid to start small.

4. Ibukun Awosika

Business magnate, motivational speaker and author, Ibukun is an all round achiever. On September 7, 2015 she became the first woman to be appointed the chairman of the First Bank of Nigeria. Prior to this Ibukun established the furniture manufacturing company, Quebees  now known as SOKOA chair centre a venture she co-owns with the SOKOA S.A group and Guaranty Trust Bank.

Ibukun’s career has one lesson we can easily pin point ‘Always be prepared to take new challenges.’

5. Bola Shagaya

Hajia Bola as she is popular known is a business mogul and a lover of fashion and arts. She started her business experience with the importation of photographic materials being the one to introduce the Konica brand to Nigeria. She currently serves on the board of Unity Bank Plc an d was awarded the title Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2010.

A lesson one can learn from her is to see opportunities where others see none.

6. Linda Ikeji

Linda is Nigeria’s foremost blogger. Started out as a model but her love for writing later came to pay-off as she is the highest paid blogger in the country presently. Linda worked-odd jobs to support herself and her family while she was in school and after graduating started blogging as an hobby. Today, she has made a multi-million naira business out of it.

One lesson we can learn from Linda is that hard-work pays, in fact it pays really well.

7. Olajumoke Adenowo

Award-winning Nigerian architect, Olajumoke has been described as ‘Africa’s Starchitect ‘ by CNN. At age 19, she got her degree in architecture from the University of Ife now known as the Obafemi Awolowo University. 23 she worked on the Federal Ministry of Finance project in Abuja and by 26 she established her own boutique architectre firm, AD Consulting. Her firm has worked on over 70 of the most notable government and international projects in Nigeria including with Coca-Cola and L’oreal.