1. Princess Tejumade Alakija (1925–2013)
Princess Tejumade Alakija was a pioneering public servant and educationist. Born into the royal family of the Ooni of Ife, she became the first female Head of Service in Oyo State and one of the earliest women to break through Nigeria’s civil service glass ceiling. Her decades of service included key roles across ministries before she led the state civil service, helped establish community institutions, and served as Pro-Chancellor of major Nigerian universities, such as the University of Abuja, University of Benin, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her legacy stands as a benchmark for women in governance and public administration.
2. Ibukun Awosika
One of Nigeria’s most influential business figures, Ibukun Awosika, was born in Ibadan and has built an extraordinary career as a business magnate, author, motivational speaker, and corporate leader. She made history as the first female Chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria, one of the country’s largest financial institutions. Beyond finance, she has used her platform to mentor young professionals and champion entrepreneurship and women’s leadership.
3. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe
Tolulope Akande-Sadipe is a respected politician and legislator representing Oluyole Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. She is notable for being the only female federal lawmaker from Oyo State, actively advancing policies on diaspora engagement, human trafficking, education, and community development. Her work in the National Assembly continues to influence governance and public service reforms.
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4. Adesuwa Onyenokwe
Adesuwa Onyenokwe (born August 8, 1963) is a distinguished Nigerian media icon with over 35 years of experience in journalism and communication. Born in Ibadan and educated at Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan, she rose to fame as a presenter for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), particularly on the flagship show Newsline. In 2007, she founded TW (Today’s Woman) Magazine, a leading lifestyle publication dedicated to empowering African women, which she later expanded into television shows like TW Conversations and Seriously Speaking. Recognized for her expertise in communication, she is also a sought-after elocution trainer, motivational speaker, and executive coach who has moderated high-profile events such as the 2015 Presidential Media Chat. Residing in Lagos, she is married to engineer Ikechukwu Onyenokwe, with whom she has seven children.
5. Karimot Odebode
Karimot Olabisi Odebode is a multi-award-winning Nigerian lawyer, education advocate, and poet who has gained international acclaim for her work in gender equality and youth leadership. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, she is the founder of the Black Girl’s Dream Initiative, a youth-led organization focused on closing the gender gap through education and the arts. In 2022, she was the only Nigerian selected for the United Nations’ cohort of 17 Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a role that followed her impactful work as a Youth Champion for the ONE Campaign. Beyond her policy advocacy, she uses creative expression to drive social change, having authored the poetry collection “A Woman Has Many Names” and composed the “Transform Education” anthem for the UN Girls’ Education Initiative.
Most recently, in February 2026, she received the Global Love of Lives Award from Taiwan’s Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, further cementing her status as a global voice for marginalized communities
6. Alhaja Rafiah Idowu Sanni
Alhaja Rafiah Idowu Sanni is a respected educator, Islamic scholar, and community leader from Oyo State who currently serves as Amirah (President) of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN). In this role, she guides major empowerment programs, advocacy initiatives, and community development projects that advance women’s rights, education, and social welfare across Nigeria.
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7. Ebiti Ndok
Ebiti Ndok-Jegede is a nurse-turned-politician born in Ibadan who demonstrated remarkable courage in Nigerian politics. In the 2011 presidential election, she was one of the few women to run for the nation’s highest office and previously served as National Chairman of her party. While her presidential bid was historic, her broader political career and advocacy for welfare and social programs mark her as a role model for women aspiring to lead at the highest levels.
