Mo Abudu Represents Nigeria in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025

On Apr. 16, 2025, TIME Magazine unveiled its prestigious 2025 edition of the 100 Most Influential People — and standing tall as Nigeria’s sole honoree is media powerhouse Mo Abudu.

The famed entrepreneur and CEO of EbonyLife Media was recognized for her contribution to African cinema and her  commitment to creating a thriving platform for African creativity and storytelling.

Her recognition also highlights one of her most ambitious ventures to date: the $50 million Afro Film Fund, launched in 2024, designed to empower African filmmakers and amplify the continent’s voice through cinema.

British actor Idris Elba, who collaborated with Abudu on “Dust to Dreams,” penned her tribute on  TIME’s website with the words:

“Mo Abudu’s reputation precedes her. Anyone who has worked on anything relating to African film knows her. I had been an admirer of her work for some time before I reached out to her two years ago to connect. Pretty quickly we were hatching a plan to collaborate on a film, which became Dust to Dreams.

That’s the thing about Mo: she wastes no time. She has an infectious, can-do attitude and the tenacity to overcome any obstacle in her way. Her sprawling empire—from studios and productions to cinemas and a creative academy—is testament to that.

Mo, who launched the $50 million Afro Film Fund last year, cares deeply about the African narrative, and how the continent and its people are portrayed onscreen. Anyone who wants to understand the filmmaking landscape in Africa—or anywhere else—could learn a lot from Mo, because she gets things done.”

Taking to Instagram, an elated Abudu referred to her latest feat not as an individual success but “a celebration of African creativity, Nigerian passion and purpose, and the power of storytelling to shape culture, shift narratives, and drive real impact.”

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement through Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, also congratulated Abudu, citing her recognition as “a testament to her visionary leadership and innovative spirit.”

Mo Abudu is no stranger to international honors. She was named Africa’s Most Successful Woman by Forbes in 2015, is the only African to be included in The Hollywood Reporter’s 2013 list of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Global TV, and was featured in Forbes’ list of the World’s 100 Most Influential People.

Now in its 20th year, the TIME 100 list celebrates individuals whose actions, ideas, and achievements have shaped the world, not just through fame, but through lasting influence. The 2025 edition includes a record number of CEOs (16) and an equally impressive cohort of entertainers — over a dozen, including Ed Sheeran, Demi Moore, Snoop Dogg, and Scarlett Johansson.

Other African honorees besides Abudu include Botswanan President Duma Boko, chef and restaurateur Kwame Onwuachi, CEO of CAMFED Angeline Murimirwa, leading infectious disease scientist Christian Happi, human rights activist Fatou Baldeh,  and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization’s first African-born Director-General.