In its quest to inspire a generation of women to do greater things in diverse fields of endeavour, Y!/YNaija.com, in partnership with Leading Ladies Africa project brings you Nigeria’s 100 Most Influential Women – #YWomen100.
These are the ladies who steer the course of history in a usually male dominated environment – they have acknowledged the glass ceiling but they would not allow it hold down their lofty ambitions.
In commemoration of International Women’s Day, we present to you, in particular order, the #YWomen100. See them after the cut..

Abike Dabiri-Erewa: After an enviable career as a broadcast journalist in NTA, particularly with human angle stories on Newsline, Abike extended her frontiers to what has been a very successful stint in politics. We still expect to see/hear more from her in the future.

Adesuwa Oyenokwe: With over 30 years experience in journalism, Adesuwa has run the entire gamut and is still re-inventing herself. From Today’s Woman and One-on-One on NTA, to being the Publisher of TW Magazine, and now hosting ‘Seriously Speaking,’ she proves that there is always room to evolve.

Admiral Itunu Hotonu: Smart, articulate and very intelligent, Admiral Hotonu is the first woman to attain the rank of Rear Admiral (a two-star General), in the Nigerian Navy.

Agatha Amata: Many will recognize her hugely popular talk-show ‘Inside-out.’ A consummate media entrepreneur, she recently launched Rave TV, and is spreading her tentacles.

Agbani Darego: Former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, and the first black Miss World, Agbani has become a successful entrepreneur with the launch of her AD by Agbani Darego retail clothing line.

Ainehi Edoro: Deeply interested in African literature, Ainehi is the editor of Brittlepaper, an online platform dedicated to promoting and shaping the way African literary works are produced, appraised and consumed.

Alima Atta: One of the very few women to run a successful PR consultancy till date, Alima is the Founder of Sesema PR, one of the longest-running PR Consultancies in Nigeria. Her company has spear-headed perception management campaigns for an impressive list of local and international clients.

Amina Oyagbola: A top HR Executive at MTN Nigeria, she’s also the Founder of WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers) a not-for-profit, gender empowerment and mentoring initiative for professional career women.

Arese Ugwu: Arese is the founder of a personal finance blog http://smartmoneywitharese.com/about-arese/, a platform that provides high quality content and action tools tailored to Africans. She makes finance easy to understand and less complicated.

Arunma Oteh: Arunma was until very recently, the Director General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission. In 2014, she was named West African Business Woman of the Year by CNBC at the Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards.

Banke Meshida-Lawal: If you want to have your makep done by Banke, you probably have to book a year in advance. One of the pioneer makeup artists in Nigeria, Banke is the CEO of BMPRO makeup, and also has a cosmetic make-up range with the same name. She has shown that one can have a thriving career through make-up.

Benie Uche: The host and producer of the very successful Benie Uche show in the 90s, she presently now works in the Public Affairs section of the U.S Consulate, Nigeria.

Betty Irabor: The publisher of Genevieve, arguably Nigeria’s most popular women’s lifestyle magazine. She is also a philanthropist, and is the founder of the Pink Ball Foundation.

Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola: She is the co-founder of WeCyclers. Her company builds and manages a fleet of low-cost cargo-bicycles to collect recyclable waste in slums. She is a 2013 Echoing Green fellow, 2013 Cartier Women’s Initiative Award winner, and 2013 Tech Awards recipient.

Biola Alabi: The former Managing Director of MNET is amazing on all kinds of levels. Under her tenure, she improved content and direction for the television service. She is currently a 2014 Yale World fellow and Managing Partner at Biola Alabi Media Consulting, a company designed to provide organizations with access to highly qualified professionals in the broadcast, telecommunications, and digital industries.

Blessing Okagbare: Bold, beautiful and uber stylish, Blessing is an Olympic and World Championships medalist in the long jump, and a world medallist in the 200 metres. She also holds the Women’s 100 metres Commonwealth Games record for the fastest time at 10.85 seconds. She became the fourth woman to win the 100m and 200m double at the Commonwealth Games.

Bola Olawale: She is the publisher of GEM magazine – a Christian/inspirational lifestyle magazine. She has a vibrant, unrelenting passion for inspiring women, and is the convener of the annual GEM BSS Summit.

Bola Atta: While the magazine was still in production, the Editor of Flair (Formerly True Love) Magazine thrilled many of its readers with interesting features, inspiring interviews and insightful information. Many are still awaiting her comeback.

Bola Balogun: She started out as a stylist and fashion consultant, and has steadily grown her brand to include a production company – GlamTV Networks, and a fashion consultancy – Glam Brand Agency. Married with children, Bola makes it all look achievable.

Bola Kuforiji-Olubi: Otunba Ayora Bola Kuforiji, was the first Nigerian woman to be CEO of a multinational company (VYB Industries Limited, with British affiliates (incheape & Co Plc) and first female Chairman of a public quoted company (Bewac Plc). She is presently into philanthropy and improving her local community.

Bukky George: She is the Founder & CEO of HealthPlus Limited and CasaBella International Limited – a one stop beauty store. HealthPlus is Nigeria’s first Integrative Pharmacy and Healthcare Provider and the fastest growing pharmacy chain in West Africa. Bukky’s strengths include a strong academic foundation, a passion for excellence and a determination to raise the standards in retail.

Bukola Elemide (Asa): We absolutely love Asa, because she has taken an indigenous sound and made it international. The singer and songwriter is one of Nigeria’s greatest musical exports of all time, with three albums tucked under her belt, she keeps dazzling us with the beauty and purity of her music.

Bukola Karibi White: The focused, vivacious and hardworking Bukola, is the CEO of the Bobby Taylor Company; a dynamic, steady and strong voice in the PR Industry.

Chimamamnda Ngozi Adichie: From being sampled by Beyonce, to giving insightful talks, to having huge motion pictures made out of her novels, to writing thought-provoking articles, Chimamanda constantly redefines notions of what and who an author should be.

Chioma Omeruah: If you don’t know, or haven’t heard about Chigul, then you are nothing more than a “hanging shimi.” Nuff said.

Deola Sagoe: One of the fore-runners of the Nigerian fashion industry, Deola has been crafting timeless pieces and gorgeous designs for over 25 years. She has placed Nigeria on the world map for all the right reasons. She seems to have passed the baton on to her daughters who are making waves with their CLAN label.

Stella Ameyo Adadevoh: Nigeria may have gone the dreaded way of Liberia during the Ebola crisis, but the quick-thinking, professional and commendable Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh took a decisive and heroic decision. Ultimately, she sacrificed her life for the greater good of the nation.

Ekene Onu: The Founder of Refresh with Ekene helps through her insightful and productive workshops and events, helps women live better, productive, happier lives.

Elohor Aisien: When she launched Beth Modelling Agency, Elohor changed the way fashion and beauty modeling was perceived. Not content with that, she secured the franchise for Elite Model Look, and has recently set up Prive events management. The woman keeps on winning.

Esther Agbarakwe: Climate change is as important an issue to the world, as it is to the bright, vivacious and young Esther. An environmental sustainability advocate, Esther brings to light policy issues on how our planet can be safer… and greener.

Florence Ita-Giwa: Mma Bakassi as she’s fondly called is a political juggernaut, and has been so for over 30 years. Used to working in the background, she has been very vocal and passionate about advocating for a better life for the people of Bakassi in Cross Rivers State.

Folake Coker: In the late 90s, Folake Coker launched her Tiffany Amber label, revolutionizing the way women saw themselves, and fashion. Her timeless, feminine and floaty pieces are considered fashion must-haves.

Folorunsho Alakija: The richest black woman in the world, Folorunsho has business interests spanning fashion, oil and gas, and printing. She’s also a philanthropist and is the founder of the Rose of Sharon Foundation.

Funke Felix-Adejumo: With her fiery, fun and no-nonsense approach, Pastor Funke makes learning about God relatable and realistic. She is also the president of Funke Felix Adejumo

Funke Opeke: An experienced telecommunications executive who founded Main Street Technologies, Funke is the C.E.O. of MainOne Cable. In a field that is fiercely dominated by men, we’re inspired by the way she keeps charting new territory.

Funmi Iyanda: She is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist, columnist and blogger. She produced and hosted Nigeria’s popular and authoritative talk show New Dawn with Funmi, which aired on the national network for over eight years. She was recently named one of Forbes 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa. Funmi is also something of a thought leader and a social commentator. We love her energy, her passion and her focus, and yes, we want her back on T.V!

Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi: From her early days as an OAP on Cool FM, Gbemi has displayed a consistency and earthiness, that is so refreshing. Now at Beat FM, Gbemi continues to be at forefront of On Air Personalities that are a genuine delight to listen to.

Genevieve Nnaji: The rags-to-riches story of one of Nollywood’s greatest actresses is as inspiring, as it is heart-warming. With her impeccable diction, super acting skills, and a slew of brand endorsements, who says hard work and talent don’t pay? She’s also dipped into the entrepreneurial pool with the launch of her St. Genevieve clothing label. You go girl!

Hadiza Bala-Usman: At 38, Hadiza is the initiator of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign – a global online and offline campaign aimed at freeing 219 school girls abducted by the vicious Boko Haram sect. She deserves the honour and praise for stepping out to do something.

Hajara Adeola: Hajara Adeola is the Managing Director of Lotus Capital Limited, a Nigerian pioneer in Shari’ah compliant Asset Management, Private Wealth Management Advisory Services and Financial Advisory Services. A first class graduate of Finance, her company is also the first to successfully raise a Halal fund in Nigeria.

Helen Paul: A co-presenter on Africa Magic’s ‘JARA,’ Helen is also a comedian, singer and actress. She is best known as a stand-up comedian and popularly known as Tatafo. Her style is quirky and spontaneous, and her petite stature and voice range makes her sound, hilariously like a child.

Omobola Johnson: Asides being a smart as a whip, the visionary Omobola, used her very influential position as Minister of Information, Communications and Technology to create programs and policies that will ensure that Nigerian girls become active participants in the ICT sector by launching the ‘SmartWomen Initiative’ and the ‘1000 Girls in Training’ program. She’s also the founding chairperson of Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ), a non-governmental organization seeking to improve the success rate of female entrepreneurs as well as increase the proportion of women in senior positions in corporate organizations.

Ibukun Awosika: She is the Founder and Chairperson of The Sokoa Chair Centre Ltd, a market leader in the office furniture and banking security systems industries. Ibukun exemplifies the Nigerian entrepreneurial spirit, represents the true face of Nigerian business and highlights the opportunities that Nigeria presents to entrepreneurs. She is the host of a popular television programme, Business His Way, where she shares ethical business values and principles, distilled from The Holy Bible, with the business community in Nigeria and neighboring countries.

Ifeoma Obianwu-Fafunwa: Ifeoma has over 20 years of professional experience in both the US and Nigeria, designing and directing artistic projects in theatre arts and architecture. She is the founder and creative director of iOpenEye; a performance art production company in Nigeria that challenges the status quo when it limits the potential of women and progress of the collective African society. Her most recent project is the touring stage production titled “Hear Word!” – a collection of monologues based on true stories of inequality told by 20 Nigerian women.

Iheoma Obibi: She is an African feminist writer, human rights activist and also, the creative director and business owner of Intimate Pleasures Desires of the Heart, Nigeria’s first female online intimate shop – offering the best selection of sexual health products and erotica sourced from around the world.

Ini Onuk: Ini is a seasoned speaker, trainer, mentor, facilitator, and an international consultant on project research and strategy. She is the Chief Executive Officer of ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited– a Strategy & Assessments Management Consulting firm with a niche on a range of sustainability solutions in Africa and also sits on a number of boards of organizations in Nigeria. In her spare time, she mentors female professionals, advises SMEs on Strategy and teaches at the CSR Centre of Pan-Atlantic University and Lagos Business School.
Josephine Okei-Odumakin: She is s a Nigerian women’s rights activist, and is also the president of the rights groups Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy. In 2013, Odumakin was presented an International Women of Courage Award from the United States Department of State.

Joke Silva: Veteran actress and director Joke Silva fondly dubbed the “Silva’ lining of the Nigerian film and entertainment industry, is an award winning Nigerian actress, with a successful and influential career which has spanned well over 3 decades. A talented writer, director, producer and performer, Joke is renowned for the memorable roles she has played both off and on screen. Her award winning career is rivaled by few and respected by many.

Kafayat Shafau-Ameh (Kaffy): Despite discouragement from family and friends and the seemingly unlucrative nature of her passion, Kaffy proved beyond reasonable doubt that her career choice – Dance was viable and danced her way into the Guinness World Record with her team, ‘Imagneto’ at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon. She is an inspiration to young people to not give up on their dreams and to not let anything stop them from achieving their dreams.

Kate Henshaw: One of the leading lights in Nollywood, Kate has, bthrough the sheer dint of hard work and talent, stayed at the top of her game. With a career spanning over 20 years, she is a brand ambassador for Onga and Samsung and has continued to re-invent herself and her brand. She recently made her first foray into politics, which proved unsuccessful, but we’re hoping she makes a successful comeback.

Kemi Adetiba: Kemi is a music video director, filmmaker, and television director whose works have appeared on Channel O, MTV Base, Soundcity TV and BET. She has seen tremendous success as a music video director, and has directed music videos for an impressive variety of international artistes. Kemi’s other upcoming projects include multiple films and a social-media-driven charity, #PayItForward.

Lala Akindoju: Bright, talented and vivacious, Kemi Lala Akindoju is one of Nigeria’s most talented actresses. Beyond acting in movies like Dazzling Mirage, and Alan Poza, Lala is a thespian of note, having featured in over 70 stage productions. In 2014, she produced the immensely successful stage play “The Wives” and is also the casting director for Ndani’s “Gidi Up.” Is she phenomenal or what?

Linda Ikeji: Her blog which started out as a gossip column has become one of the most celebrated blogs in Africa and the one stop portal for information, entertainment and gossip. Her use of technology to carve a niche for herself and create an innovative platform for information and empowerment, has made her a source of inspiration to many young entrepreneurs.

See more@:http://www.premiumgist.com/meet-nigerias-100-most-influential-women-ywomen100/

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GboyegaD:
Can you please edit this post and maybe put a line in between each person to make it more pleasing to read?