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Mo Abudu Biography: An In-depth Look at Her Life, Work, & Legacy

October 23, 2024

Mosunmola Abudu, also known as Mo Abudu, is a Nigerian Media Mogul, philanthropist, and former human resources management consultant. She has been described by Forbes as ‘Africa’s Most Successful Woman’, and rated as one of the ’25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television’ by The Hollywood Reporter.

Mo Abudu Biography

Mosunmola Abudu, ‘Mo Abudu’, was born in Hammersmith on September 11, 1964, West London. Her father died in 1975 when Mo was just 11 years old. Her mother, whom Mo cherishes as one of her greatest pillars of support and inspiration.

Mo’s family roots are in Ondo Town, in the south-west of Nigeria. She is the eldest amongst three sisters. Mo moved to Nigeria at the age of seven to live with her grandparents and returned to England at age 11. Mo is the mother of two, a daughter – Temidayo, a son – Adekoyejo and grandmother to TJ and Ireoluwa.

Abudu attended Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School in Nigeria before moving back to the UK, where she completed her secondary education. She later pursued a degree in Human Resources Management at the University of Westminster in London, followed by a master’s degree in Human Resource Development. Mo’s educational journey reflects her focus on development and leadership, characteristics that have played significant roles in her career.

Career

Mo Abudu began her career in Human Resources in 1987 at The Atlas Recruitment Consultancy Firm in the UK. In 1993, she returned to Nigeria where she was headhunted to ExxonMobil to manage the HR and Administration division of the company.

By 2000 Mo recognised the need for a highly talented pool of professionals in Nigeria and started her own Human Resource firm – Vic Lawrence & Associates (VLA). The name being a moniker of her parents’ names. While involving herself in a number of business activities, Mo conceptualized and developed the Protea Hotel, Oakwood Park, as the first new-build hotel of its type ever in Nigeria.

Transition into media

Mo Abudu launched her media career with Inspire Africa, an edutainment company designed to inspire, educate, motivate and entertain.

The company’s anchor project was Africa’s first syndicated talk show, Moments with Mo, presented and produced by Mo. The show started airing in 2006 and later evolved to include a number of syndicated offshoot series, Moments Z and Moments in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

The show was the first of its kind in Africa, modeled after popular American talk shows such as Oprah Winfrey’s. “Moments with Mo” covered a wide range of topics, including lifestyle, politics, entertainment, and more.

The show’s success was instrumental in establishing Mo Abudu as a major media player in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Through candid and inspirational conversations with key figures across different sectors, she built a platform that connected Africa with global audiences.

“Moments with Mo” went on to become one of the longest-running talk shows in Africa, earning her the title of the “African Oprah” in many media circles. However, Abudu didn’t stop there. Her ambition was much larger — she wanted to redefine the African narrative, globally.

Founding EbonyLife TV

A big turning point was when Mo had the vision to create a Pan African platform, EbonyLife TV, as a way to connect all of Africa with a shared identity. EbonyLife TV, on the DStv platform, was Africa’s first global black entertainment and lifestyle network, launched in July 2013.

Her primary goal for the channel was to create a more positive narrative around Africa. What followed was a string of aspirational TV series to include Fifty, Castle & Castle, Sons of the Caliphate and The Governor amongst many others.

Mo Abudu has received two honorary doctorates, an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Babcock University in 2014 and one in 2018 for her contributions to the broadcasting industry in Nigeria by the University of Westminster in London.

In her quest to change global perceptions about Africa, Abudu took the plunge into filmmaking with the creation of EbonyLife Films in 2014.

Producing several blockbusters to include:

Fifty
The Wedding Party
Chief Daddy
The Royal Hibiscus Hotel in 2018
Your Excellency in 2019.

She executive produced Òlòtūré, a feature film that exposes the shady business of human trafficking in Nigeria. This film premiered on Netflix as a Netflix Original in October 2020.

Woorking with international brands

In 2018, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) announced a three-year deal with EbonyLife TV that would include co-production of The Dahomey Warriors. AMC Networks (USA) in 2019, announced its partnership with EbonyLife to produce Nigeria 2099, an afrofuturistic crime-drama created by EbonyLife.

In June 2020, Netflix signed a multi-title deal with EbonyLife to create two original series and multiple branded films and a series. In February 2021, EbonyLife Media signed a First Look deal with Sony Pictures. And a slate of co-production film and television projects with Will and Jada Smith’s Westbrook Studios.

EbonyLife Studios and Will Packer Productions are developing an untitled project, based on Evan Ratliff’s Bloomberg article, ‘’The Fall of the Billionaire Gucci Master”.

BBC Studios signed a development deal with EbonyLife Media to produce a six-part action-adventure heist thriller, titled Reclaim.

EbonyLife also signed a deal to co-produce with Starz and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Yetide Badaki, along with Lionsgate TV to develop a drama project about Queen Nzinga, 17th century African warrior queen.

As an extension of EbonyLife as an entertainment brand, Abudu developed EbonyLife Place in 2019. Nigeria’s first luxury entertainment resort, in the heart of Lagos, comprising:

an array of restaurants
events hall
meeting room
a boutique hotel and luxury cinemas

Launched EbonyLife Creative Academy (ELCA)

In 2021, as a way of accelerating filmmaking skills, the EbonyLife Group partnered with the Lagos State Government to launch the EbonyLife Creative Academy (ELCA).

The Academy offers free practical short courses covering all aspects of filmmaking and media content production. It’s designed to help working film professionals improve their skills and make them globally competitive. Also, equip beginners with the skills they need to launch their careers on a sound footing.

Speaking Engagements

Abudu is highly sought after for her knowledge of the African and global creative industry. She has spoken at the:

Wharton School of Business
Cambridge University Judge School of Business
NYU
Oxford University
Harvard University

Throughout the years, Abudu has been a recipient of numerous awards and international recognitions. As CEO of EbonyLife Media, Abudu has made her mark through various endeavors in the corporate world. Forbes described her as “Africa’s Most Successful Woman”. While CNN said she was “Africa’s Queen of Media who conquered the continent.”

Abudu oversees the EbonyLife Group, which includes all:

EbonyLife Media assets
the EbonyLife Creative Academy
EbonyLife Place.

Abudu has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences, popularly known as ‘THE OSCARS’ in the Producer membership category. Making her the first Sub-Saharan African woman to join the Oscars.

In 2021, Harvard Business School (HBS) honoured the EbonyLife Media legacy by including it as a case study for its MBA students. Mo Abudu joins a long list of CEOs, including Warren Buffet and Elon Musk, whose strategies and decisions have been analysed in HBS case studies.

In the same year, Abudu was named one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes magazine for her work in the media sphere. Her inspirational streak for 2021 was rounded off with Abudu being counted amongst the Variety500 2021. The benchmark of influencers shaping the global entertainment industry.

With offices in Lagos, London and Los Angeles, Mo Abudu is excited about pitching stories to a diverse range of international streaming platforms and broadcasters.

To quote her, “As Nigerians and Africans, we should see ourselves as world citizens and our storytelling, locations and networks should extend to every corner of the globe.”

Mo Abudu Net Worth

As of recent estimates, Mo Abudu’s net worth is reported to be in the range of $10 million to $30 million, though exact figures are difficult to verify due to her private nature regarding personal finances. Her wealth comes primarily from her successful ventures in media and entertainment, including her ownership of EbonyLife TV, which is one of Africa’s largest and most influential media companies.

Philanthropy and Social Impact

Beyond her work in media, Mo Abudu is deeply committed to philanthropy and social causes. In 2009, she launched the “Inspire Africa Foundation”, a non-profit organization that supports young people through various programs, including scholarships and mentorship initiatives.

One of the foundation’s notable projects was the “Raise 1000 Smiles” campaign, which provided educational resources to underprivileged children in Nigeria.

Abudu is also a strong advocate for women’s empowerment. Through her work in media and her personal initiatives, she has consistently sought to uplift African women and challenge the limitations placed on them.

In an industry that has been traditionally male-dominated, Abudu’s success serves as an inspiration to women across the continent. She continues to mentor young women, offering them opportunities to break into the media and entertainment industries.

Her dedication to social impact has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television by The Hollywood Reporter in 2013.

She has also received several awards for her contributions to media and philanthropy, including the Forbes Africa Entrepreneur of the Year Award and being named one of Africa’s Most Influential Women by Forbes Africa.

Leadership and Recognition

Mo Abudu’s leadership style is often described as visionary and hands-on. Her success in the media industry has not been a result of luck but rather a culmination of strategic planning, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to her vision. Abudu has always emphasized the importance of quality in storytelling and has maintained high production standards in all her projects.

Her recognition extends far beyond Africa. In 2020, she became the first African to chair the International Emmys Gala. This honor is a testament to her global influence and her role in elevating African content on the world stage. Abudu was also awarded the MIPTV Médailles d’Honneur in 2019, making her the first African woman to receive this prestigious recognition at the world’s leading international television market.

Conclusion

Mo Abudu’s journey from human resources professional to media mogul is a testament to the power of determination, vision, and hard work. She has not only broken barriers for women and Africans in the media industry but has also created platforms that celebrate African culture, history, and identity. Through EbonyLife TV and her various projects, she has redefined African storytelling, making it a global phenomenon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mo Abudu married?

As of now, Mo Abudu is not publicly known to be married. While she has kept her personal life relatively private, she was previously married and has two children from that marriage. However, details about her former husband and their relationship have largely remained out of the public eye.

Mo Abudu is known to focus more on her career and philanthropic work in the media spotlight, rather than discussing her personal life. Her children, Temidayo and Adekoyejo Abudu, have occasionally appeared in media circles, with Temidayo following in her mother’s footsteps by working in the entertainment industry as a producer.

Mo Abudu’s ability to balance her role as a mother and a successful businesswoman is often highlighted as an inspiration to many African women pursuing their careers while raising families. However, her private life remains just that—private, with Mo choosing to maintain a professional public persona, prioritizing her career achievements over personal disclosures.

How old is Mo Abudu?

Mo Abudu, born on September 11, 1964, is currently 60 years old as of 2024. Over the years, she has become a renowned media mogul, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, widely regarded for her work in transforming the African media landscape. Despite starting her media career later in life, her age has been a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to pursue one’s passion or make a significant impact in a new field. Through her endeavors with EbonyLife TV and film, she has redefined the global narrative of Africa and continues to inspire generations across the continent.

Where is Mo Abudu from in Nigeria?

Her family roots are in Ondo Town, southwest Nigeria. She is the eldest of three sisters in the family. Mosunmola Abudu moved to Nigeria when she was 7 years old to live with her grandparents, and returned to England at the age of 11.