10 most influential women in Nigeria 2022

The world marks international women’s day, and the 2022 theme advocates for policymakers to #BreakTheBias. At NewsWireNGR, a platform founded by a woman, we have decided to curate a list of the ten most influential women in Nigeria IN 2022.

IWD sees several MISSIONS to help forge a gender-equal world. Celebrating women’s achievements and increasing visibility while calling out inequality is critical in raising awareness against bias and taking action for equality. 

Many of these women profiled here are well known. Others, public members, are not so familiar with their outstanding work. Still, their understated approach is often the source of their power and longevity.

“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” – Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist, once explained.

Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augie earned her place as the Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the 7th of November, 2016. In 1988, Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augie was appointed Chief Magistrate in the Sokoto State Judiciary. While serving at the Bench, her love and passion for academia propelled her to accept part-time employment as Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, from 1989 – 1992. Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augie earned her place as Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the 7th of November, 2016. In 1988, Hon. Justice Amina Adamu Augie was appointed Chief Magistrate in the Sokoto State Judiciary. While serving at the Bench, her love and passion for academia propelled her to accept part-time employment as Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto, from 1989 – 1992. She also served as an Associate Lecturer in the same University from September 1999 – to September 2002. She also served as an Associate Lecturer in the same University from September 1999 – to September 2002. Hon. Justice Augie was elevated to the Court of Appeal Bench in 2002. While at the Appellate Court, she served in various Divisions and rose to become Presiding Justice, Benin Division from July 2009 – September 2010; Presiding Justice, Enugu Division from September 2010 – September 2011; Presiding Justice, Kaduna Division from September 2011 – September 2012; Presiding Justice, Lagos Division from September 2012 – November 2016.

Amina Jane Mohammed, she is the deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (2017–present), In January 2017, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced his intention to appoint Mohammed Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and then reappointed her again in 2022. A versatile and accomplished mobiliser and Project Coordinator, Mrs Amina Mohammed had served as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs between 2005 to 2010. She has also served as National Commissioner, Human Rights Commission of Nigeria from 2005 to 2007. Mrs Amina Mohammed also served as minister of environment before proceeding to the United Nations.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the seventh Director-General of the WTO. She took office on 1 March 2021, becoming the first woman and the first African to serve as Director-General. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a global finance expert, an economist and international development professional with over 30 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. Dr Okonjo-Iweala was formerly Chair of the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Since its cre