Mosunmola Abudu, usually known as Mo Abudu, is a Nigerian media mogul,
media personality, philanthropist, and former human resources management
consultant. She has been described by Forbes as "Africa's Most Successful
Woman". Born 11th September, 1964 in London, United Kingdom. She has a son
and a daughter and was formerly married to Tokunbo Abudu
Abudu was born in the United Kingdom. At age seven, her family relocated to
Lagos, where she was sent to stay with her grandparents at their cocoa farm in
Ondo State, to learn about Nigerian culture. At age 11, she attended Fiwasaye
Girls Grammar School. At 12, shortly after her father died, Abudu returned to
the UK and attended Hammersmith County Secondary School before moving to the
Ridgeway School in Kent where she lived with her guardian in Tunbridge Wells.
From there, she went to West Kent College and MidKent College.
At age 11, she attended Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School. At 12, shortly after
her father died, Abudu returned to the UK and attended Hammersmith County
Secondary School before moving to the Ridgeway School in Kent where she lived
with her guardian in Tunbridge Wells. From there, she went to West Kent College
and MidKent College.By October 2009, over 200 episodes had been recorded and
aired with topics ranging from lifestyle, through health, culture, politics,
entertainment, tradition, to music and inter-racial marriages. Guests have
included celebrities, Presidents, Nobel Laureates, and the 67th US
Secretary-of-State Hillary Clinton, Abudu says the show "highlights the
life and accomplishments of a usually well known, but sometimes an undiscovered
African individual who by his or her own tenacity and determination has
accomplished something, overcome something or been a catalyst for something that
makes her or him a role model to others."
Aired on M-Net with TV coverage in 48 African countries, the show now also
airs on terrestrial and cable TV in other parts of the world.
The show's success and intention to change the world's perception of the
African continent has led to comparisons to Oprah Winfrey, with The Independent
and Slate Afrique calling her "Africa's Oprah" or "Nigerian
Winfrey", respectively. The Debaters
Abudu is the creator and executive producer of The Debaters, a Reality
television show. Funded by Guaranty Trust Bank, it launched on 3 October 2009.
The show focuses on "giving Africa a voice" by promoting oratory.
Inspire Africa Foundation: Abudu is the founder of The Inspire Africa
Foundation, a human investment arm of Inspire Africa Ltd. It is a non-profit
organisation focused on raising funds to implement society-transforming
initiatives.
In January 2009, the Inspire Africa Foundation alongside Moments with Mo,
the Lagos State Government and UNICEF held a telethon and a charity benefit concert
with the theme "Rock with a Conscience". Donations from the concert
have gone towards the protection of street children.
Projects: The Foundation has opened a charity store branded "The
Designers Outlet for Charity", which opened on 5 December 2009 in Lagos.
The foundation is also developing a children's shelter called "The
Harbour".
Recognition: Forbes Media recognised Abudu as the first African woman to
own a Pan-Africa TV channel (2013). She was listed as one of the 25 Most
Powerful Women in Global TV by The Hollywood Reporter in (2013) and received
the Entrepreneur of the Year award by Women Werk in New York (2014). In 2014,
she was honoured with an honorary doctorate (Honouris Causa) from Babcock
University.
