Women provide the foundation of power, grace, wisdom, justice, creativity, and hope. These list of women, through hardwork and diligence, have been able to set indelible mark in the society as they reshape history, challenge the status quo and build industries ranging from business, politics, media and public life. Here are the top 10 women who have made Forbes list:

1. Folorunso Alakija: Folorunso Alakija is a Nigerian billionaire businesswoman. She is the Executive Chairman of Famfa Oil and Managing Director of the Rose of Sharon Foundation which helps widows and orphans through scholarships and business grants. Alakija is ranked by Forbes as the richest woman in Nigeria and one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women in 2020.

1. Ibukun Awosika: Ibukunoluwa Abiodun Awosika is a Nigerian business woman, author, founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Group. She currently serves as Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria. Ibukun Awosika won the Forbes Woman Africa Chairperson Award 2020.

1. Chimamada Ngozi Adichie: She has caught the world’s attention with her various writings, “Purple Hibiscus”, “Half of a Yellow Sun”, the latter which was adapted into a Nollywood movie, and “Why We Should All Be Feminist”. Forbes listed Chimamada as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women.

1. Obiageli Oby Ezekwesili: She is a senior economic advisor, Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative. In 2019, Ezekwesili won the Forbes Woman Africa Social Influencer Award for her efforts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign on social media. In 2020, Forbes listed her as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women.

1. Ngozi Okonji Iweala: She sits on the Boards of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and the African Risk Capacity. For five consecutive years (2011-2015), she was named by Forbes as one of  the top 100 most powerful women in the world and was listed as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women in 2020.

6 Uchenna Pedro: Uche Pedro is a social media expert and Founder of Nigeria’s trending fashion and celebrity blog BellaNaija. In 2020, Forbes listed her as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women.

1. Olajumoke Adenowo: She is an architect, public speaker and entrepreneur. She is also the founder of Ad consulting. Forbes named Olajumoke Adenowo, one of Nigeria’s finest female architect as the winner of Forbes Woman Africa Entrepreneur Award for 2020.

1. Arunma Oteh: She is a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Ecobank. Between 2015-2018, she was the Treasurer and Vice President of the World Bank. Forbes listed her as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women who are challenging the status quo and setting trails in 2020.

1. Amina J. Muhammed: She is the Deputy Secretary-General for United Nations. Forbes listed her as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women who are challenging the status quo and making social impact.

1. Tara Fela Durotoye: Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Nigerian beauty entrepreneur and also a legal practitioner. She is the founder and CEO of House of Tara International. In 2013, Forbes listed her among other 20 Young Power Women aged 45 and under in Africa who are innovative, courageous, daring and successful and in 2020, she was listed as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women.