Olubunmi Otufowora, a Nigerian pioneer building a growing nutritious drinks brand

February 18, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Olubunmi Otufowora, founder, Boomsky Smoothies (Nigeria)

Olubunmi Otufowora is the founder of Boomsky Smoothies, a leading indigenous fruit processing and distribution company in Nigeria that produces 100% natural smoothies and juices. Operating for over a decade, Boomsky Smoothies was founded in 2010 and has bridged the gap between nutrition and busy executives who want a healthy drink on the go. With more than 14 years of experience in various senior leadership roles in one of Nigeria's top telecommunications firms, her strong professional insight has been instrumental in her success. Her passion for promoting healthy living through natural fruit drinks is evident in her company's exceptional growth and impact. Olubunmi is committed to positively impacting Nigeria's society by reducing post-harvest food loss. Her business is aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, and 12, and her efforts are reflected in the sustainable growth of Boomsky Smoothies over the years. Today the business employs 28 people.

Yetunde Akande, a Nigerian impact-maker empowering the fashion industry

February 4, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Yetroselane Fashion Hub, a multi-faceted fashion business creating jobs, and empowering fashion entrepreneurs of the future

Yetunde Akande is an award-winning CEO and founder of Yetroselane Fashion Hub in Nigeria, a mission-driven company founded in 2008, transforming the fashion industry through sustainability and empowerment, and employing 45 people. The hub's contemporary womenswear fosters inclusivity and empowerment, complemented by their Fashion Academy preparing women for successful fashion businesses. Operating with a zero-waste policy in their garment factory, Yetunde collaborates globally for amplified impact. Recognized with prestigious awards, her designs grace global runways, including New York Fashion Week and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Ghana. Committed to mentorship, Yetunde engages with organizations like WIMBIZ, AWE, and GAIN, shaping the future of aspiring entrepreneurs. She envisions a future of employment and thriving fashion ventures.

Eka Obaigbena, a Nigerian fast-casual dining pioneer

January 28, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Toasties Limited, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain reimagining the way Africans experience meals on the go

Eka Obaigbena is the founder and ceo of Toasties, a fast-casual dining restaurant chain launched in 2016 in Nigeria that aims to reimagine the way Africans experience meals on the go. Toasties' menu consists primarily of fusion sandwiches, salads, and various specials. Eka is also the Founder and CEO of Board, a food gifting and food experience company that presents edible art to its customers. Before launching her businesses in 2016 and 2020 respectively, Eka began her culinary journey in New York City’s French Culinary Institute (now The International Culinary Center) where she trained as a chef in 2011.

Abimbola Adebakin, a Nigerian retail pharma innovator

November 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Advantage Health Africa, enabling access to quality and affordable medicines in Nigeria

Abimbola Adebakin is a Certified Performance Technologist (CPT), Pharmacist, management consultant and tech innovator who is keen to drive performance improvement in the African healthcare system. She is the Founder/CEO of Advantage Health Africa, a business launched in 2017 and today employing 86 people, focused on enabling access to quality and affordable medicines in Nigeria through tech, aggregation, digital health services and pharma products. She sits on the board of Safe Medicines Foundation, and mentors for WIMBIZ (Women in Business) and Google StartUp programme. Abimbola’s work at Advantage Health Africa has garnered global recognition, grants and awards from Bayer Foundation, Google, Ashoka, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMGF and the Jack Ma Foundation.

Gloria Adaba, a Nigerian entrepreneur building an environmental consulting and recycling business with impact

November 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Gloria Avosuahi Adaba, CEO, Remould Global Ventures Limited (Nigeria)

Gloria Avosuahi Adaba is the CEO of Remould Global Ventures Limited in Nigeria, an environmental consulting, recycling, and exportation company started in 2020. She is a resourceful Polymer Engineer and Environmentalist, with over twelve years of proven hands-on experience in Waste Management, Recycling and Environmental projects, oil and gas technical safety, Front-End Engineering, and Detailed Engineering Design. As a result of her passion for human and environmental sustainability, and safety, and her work in organizations with Health Safety and Environmental standards; she has acquired broad international and multicultural experience in Waste Management, Recycling, and Oil and Gas Technical Safety Engineering.

Ndidi Nwuneli, an impact-maker in agriculture & nutrition

November 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Aace Foods Processing & Distribution, on a mission to improve people’s nutrition and farmer livelihoods in Nigeria

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is an expert on food ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and social innovation. She has over 25 years of international development experience and is the founder of LEAP Africa and African Food Changemakers. She is also the co-founder of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd. and AACE Foods Processing & Distribution Ltd. Ndidi serves on the boards of the Rockefeller Foundation, AGRA, Nigerian Breweries Plc. (Heineken), Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. India, Stanbic IBTC Group, the Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum, and the Bridgespan Group. She holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She was a Senior Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, a visiting Scholar at Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University, an Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow, and an Eisenhower Fellow. Ndidi is a TED speaker, was recognized as a Schwab Fellow and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and has received numerous awards and recognitions including a National Honor by the Nigerian Government and the 2021 Harvard Business School Distinguished Alumni Award. She is the author of "Social Innovation in Africa: A Practical Guide for Scaling Impact," and "Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses," both published by Routledge and “Walking for God in the Marketplace.”

Omoyemi Akerele, a Nigerian creative economy change agent

October 22, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Style House Files/Lagos Fashion Week, two powerful business platforms advancing Nigerian and African Fashion industries

Omoyemi Akerele is an experienced, renowned creative economy change agent and social entrepreneur with over 20 years of notable achievements in the areas of youth development, job creation, circular fashion development, showcasing and discovering talent and creating access to the market globally for Africa's evolving textile and apparel industry. Omoyemi drives change across the ecosystem through her current position as Founder and CEO at Style House Files, Lagos Fashion Week where she applies core economic development principles to connect the missing gaps that exist within the African textile and apparel ecosystem such as capacity-building, skills development, access to capital, infrastructural development, artisanal skills preservation and closing the loop.

Omoh Alokwe, an environmental management change-maker in Nigeria

October 8, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Street Waste Company Limited, a community recycling enterprise empowering women and youth in the urban slums of Lagos

Omoh Alokwe is the co-founder at Street Waste Company Limited in Nigeria. She is an Environmental Sustainability professional certified as an ISO 14001:2015 Lead Auditor. She has a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She has over six years’ experience in environmental sustainability and waste management. As the co-founder and chief technical officer at Street Waste Company, Omoh ensures the company attain its goals and objectives. The business started its operations in 2019 and today employs 15 people. Through her leadership, over 150 women and youth in underserved communities have been empowered, diverted over 2000,000kg of recyclables from getting to the landfill, and educated over 1000 individuals on waste recycling.

Dr. Omolola Salako, a dedicated health leader in cancer care

October 1, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Pearl Oncology Specialist Hospital, a chain of specialist cancer treatment centers in Lagos, Nigeria

Dr. Omolola Salako is an "Oncopreneur" who founded Sebeccly Cancer Care, Pearl Oncology Specialist Hospital, the Oncopadi App, and PROSECare AI, a digital patient monitoring platform in Nigeria. She is a global health leader and award-winning cancer researcher at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. With over two decades of specializing in oncology, she is among the 90 skilled clinical oncologists in Nigeria focusing on cancer treatment. She's won several awards for her excellent work, including the 2021 Brightest Minds in Cancer Research from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the 2023 Global Bridges Oncology and Pfizer Global Medical Grants. She launched her business in 2018 and today it employs 40 people.

Matilda Akinsuyi, a Nigerian creative design entrepreneur building an empowering fashion brand

September 13, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Matilda Akinsuyi, founder and creative director, Myra Woman (Nigeria)

Matilda Akinsuyi is the founder and creative director of Myra Woman in Nigeria. She is a visionary entrepreneur, and a trailblazer in the world of fashion. With a background as a successful lawyer, her journey towards building a fashion business was driven by an unwavering passion for elegance and sophistication. As a young girl, she was captivated by the transformative power of fashion, and with an unyielding desire to follow her dreams, finally took a leap of faith and founded her fashion business in 2017. With a focus on providing classy and elegant corporate and occasion wear for sophisticated women, Matilda was keen to redefine the concept of professional attire. The pieces she creates exude timeless sophistication, empowering women to feel confident and radiant in any setting. Attention to detail and commitment to quality set the creations apart, making them the go-to choice for women who crave understated elegance.

Queen Uwabuofu, an entrepreneur creating an African doll brand celebrating the beauty of diversity

August 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Queen Uwabuofu, founder and Creative Director, CloveKids International (Nigeria)

Queen is the Founder and Creative Director of CloveKids International in Nigeria. Her business, founded in 2019, is focused on raising and building the African child for the future through a range of innovation products that promote black representation, inclusion, diversity, child education and sustainability. Queen is an award winning innovative entrepreneur with 12 years of experience in Business administration and handcrafting. She is a graduate of International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of Benin.

Ola Folami, a Nigerian contemporary fashion brand-builder

June 25, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Olarsgrace, a renowned contemporary womenswear brand creating unique and timeless pieces for women globally

Ola Folami is a Nigerian-born fashion entrepreneur whose business and brand, Olarsgrace, has now also expanded into Dubai. Known far and wide as Olarslim on Instagram, Ola is not just a social media sensation but also the mastermind behind Olarsgrace, a globally renowned contemporary women's wear label that caters to the sartorial needs of women around the world. With her impeccable designs, Ola has garnered immense attention and praise from shoppers across the globe. Her remarkable achievements even led to her recognition as one of the top 100 emerging businesses from Nigeria with features in several publications. The business was launched in 2017 and now employs 10 people.

Olatowun Candide-Johnson, a Nigerian entrepreneur empowering women business leaders

June 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

GAIA AFRICA, the premier private members Business Club dedicated to serving Africa’s top 5% of female decision-makers

Olatowun Candide-Johnson is the founder of GAIA AFRICA, Africa’s premier private members Business Club dedicated to serving the continent’s top 5% of female-decision makers through specially curated activities, learning, partnerships, collaborations, advisory services, peer-to-peer mentorship, and small group events. Olatowun is a lawyer with 30+ years’ experience in corporate and commercial law and in business development and governance of multinational corporations. During her time at the Total Group, she worked in different divisions including three years in the New Business Division in the Paris HQ. Before taking early retirement, she held the combined roles of General Counsel, Executive General Manager, Management Services Division and Chief Compliance Officer for the Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria. In 2016, she obtained a TRIUM Global Executive MBA. In 2018, she founded Gaia Africa which today has 50 employees.

Florence Achado, an impact communications change-maker in Nigeria

June 4, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Vee69, a Nigerian communications agency dedicated to utilizing media and communication for positive social change.

Florence Achado is the founder and managing director of Vee69, a growing media and communications agency in Nigeria, established in 2015 and today employing 15 people. Through her business, she has worked on numerous projects and campaigns that have served to raise awareness and promote positive change in local communities. She is deeply committed to making a difference and improving the lives of others, harnessing her passion and the power of the media to drive positive change. Florence believes that effective communication is the key to bringing about positive change in communities, and she is committed to utilizing her skills and expertise to make a significant and long-lasting impact. Florence is also the Chairman of the Yvonne Achado Foundation (YAF), a non-profit organization committed to combating gender-based violence.

Dupe Killa-Kafidipe, an entrepreneur finding solutions to global food insecurity

May 21, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Platinum Fisheries, an ethical and sustainable B2B seafood production company in Nigeria

Dupe Killa-Kafidipe is the founder/ceo of Platinum Fisheries in Nigeria, which has a mission to produce healthy seafood using efficient, ethical and sustainable methods. Dupe is an award-winning business leader with prior C-Suite experience in process re-engineering, change management and business consulting. She is also an alumna of the Harvard Business School, IESE New York, the China-Europe International Business School (CEIBS) and INSEAD. Dupe once volunteered as Head of Strategy with a humanitarian intervention for children affected by conflicts in the North-East of Nigeria. Dupe’s life pursuit is to continue to be a force for good in all spheres of human interaction – business, social and environmental.

Abiola Olusola, a designer pushing the African narrative through fashion

May 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Abiola Olusola, a Nigerian contemporary women’s ready-to-wear and bespoke fashion brand interweaving minimalism with artisan craftsmanship

Born and raised in Nigeria, designer and fashion brand builder, Abiola Olusola, graduated with a BFA in fashion design from Istituto Marangoni Paris in 2015. She immediately gravitated towards a minimalist aesthetic, femininity, functionality, ease and undercurrents of innate sensuality. Abiola Olusola launched her eponymous brand in 2017, a contemporary women’s ready-to-wear and bespoke line with a distinct juxtaposition of minimalist cuts, sleek architecture and African sub-cultures and craftsmanship.

Vivian Savia, a natural skincare brand builder in Nigeria

May 7, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Vivian Savia, founder and CEO, Nature's Bar (Nigeria)

Vivian Savia is the founder and CEO of a natural skincare brand, Nature's Bar in Nigeria, which has been in operation since 2017. It currently creates job opportunities within her environment while partnering with local suppliers of raw materials and supplies. She is a chartered accountant with an MA in International Business Management from Middlesex University, London, and B.Sc. in Accounting from Imo State University. As a chartered accountant by profession, her basic skills and experience were in accounting, grants management, retail marketing, financial management, donor reporting, procurement, and communication within the banking and non-profit sector.

Ifeoma Uddoh, a Nigerian fintech entrepreneur positively changing lives

April 16, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Shecluded, a female-focused fintech dedicated to creating economic prosperity for women through access to financial services.

Ifeoma Uddoh is a social entrepreneur and the founder of Shecluded, a female-focused FINTECH dedicated to creating economic prosperity for women through access to financial services. Since inception, Shecluded has been recognized internationally and was selected as one of NASDAQs milestone makers for its contribution to reducing inequality. Ifeoma is a Halcyon Fellow and her career spans over a decade in Consulting, Analytics, and Seed Funding for notable companies including PwC, and IROKO Partners Limited. Thanks to her hands-on experience with gender-lens financing, Ifeoma has featured on several entrepreneurship panels and master-classes hosted by First Bank, JohnHopkins University, Tekedia Institute, etc. She started her business in 2019, and today it employs 15 people.

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