Media mogul, Mo Abudu, and Chef Kwame Onwuachi, have been named in TIME magazine’s 2025 List of the 100 Most Influential People in the world.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
As Nigerian art and culture is being increasingly recognised around the world, two Nigerians, media mogul Mo Abudu and Chef Kwame Onwuachi, have been named in TIME magazine’s 2025 List of the 100 Most Influential People in the world.
Mo Abudu is a Nigerian businesswoman, philanthropist, filmmaker, and the CEO of EbonyLife Media, a Nigerian media conglomerate instrumental to the growth of the Nigerian film and television industry and its elevation on the global stage.
Under her leadership, EbonyLife has produced both cinema and streaming blockbusters, from The Wedding Party (2016) which was the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time for four years, to Netflix’s first Nigerian original series, Blood Sisters (2022), which ranked among Netflix’s Global Top Ten Shows at the time of its release.
She has also led the media conglomerate in scoring production deals and partnerships with major international media companies such as Netflix, Sony Pictures Television, Lionsgate, BBC Studios, and AMC Networks (USA).
Abudu has garnered multiple awards and recognitions for her influence and was branded one of Africa’s most successful women by Forbes as far back as 2015. In 2024, she was honoured as Forbes Africa’s Businesswoman of the Year, and ranked 97th on Forbes’ list of the world’s 100 Most Powerful Women for the fourth consecutive year.
In an accompanying essay for TIME, acclaimed British-Sierra Leonean actor and filmmaker, Idris Elba, wrote about Abudu, “She has an infectious, can-do attitude and the tenacity to overcome any obstacle in her way… Anyone who wants to understand the filmmaking landscape in Africa—or anywhere else—could learn a lot from Mo, because she gets things done”.
Abudu has acknowledged this remarkable feat in an Instagram post by the media mogul where she expressed gratitude to TIME for the recognition. “This moment isn’t just about me”, she noted. “It’s a celebration of African creativity, Nigerian passion and purpose, and the power of storytelling to shape culture, shift narratives, and drive real impact. That’s the work we do at EbonyLife Media every single day.
“It’s also about building capacity for the future — through the EbonyLife Creative Academy, where we train the next generation of filmmakers, and EbonyLife Place, where creativity meets community through hospitality, entertainment, and culture”.
On his part, Kwame Onwuachi is a Nigerian-American chef and restaurateur celebrated for his innovative approach to cuisine that blends Afro-Caribbean flavours with fine dining techniques.
A James Beard Award-winning chef, Onwuachi was named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs in 2019 and made the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Food & Drink in 2017. He was also previously named in Time’s 100 Next List and has been named the most important Chef in America by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Onwuachi’s restaurant concept, “Tatiana”, opened in New York City in November 2022 and was named the No.1 Restaurant in New York City by the New York Times as well as La Liste’s World’s Best Restaurants list. His latest restaurant concept, “Dōgon” opened in Washington, D.C. in 2024 to wide acclaim, featuring as No. 2 on Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants 2025.
In the accompanying statement for TIME, American actor and musician, Keke Palmer, stated, “Kwame Onwuachi is the embodiment of brilliance, passion, and perseverance. I’m talking about a chef whose heart, soul, and creativity shine through every dish he serves. From his West African roots to his upbringing in the Bronx, Chef Kwame has turned every challenge into opportunity, showing the world the power of culinary expression.
“He’s rewriting the narrative in spaces that once overlooked Black chefs and has brought his story into each of his restaurants, including Dōgon, the Afro-Caribbean eatery he opened in D.C. this past fall”.
Abudu and Onwuachi both share a vision for global impact. Their work not only celebrates West African heritage but also exemplifies the power of cultural expression and encourages global audiences to engage with diverse perspectives.