Renowned Nigerian filmmaker and media entrepreneur, Mosunmola Abudu, widely known as Mo Abudu, has been named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2025.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, and was confirmed by Abudu in an emotional post on her official Instagram page, where she expressed gratitude to her supporters and colleagues in the creative industry.
British actor and filmmaker Idris Elba penned a heartfelt tribute to Abudu on TIME’s official platform, praising her as a woman of “drive, grit, and unmatched energy.”
Elba, who is currently working alongside Abudu on the film Dust to Dreams, wrote: “Anyone who has worked on anything relating to African film knows her.
She gets things done.
Mo cares deeply about how Africa is seen on screen.”
Highlighting her wider influence beyond film production, Elba noted that her footprint spans studios, cinemas, television, and a film academy, adding, “Her success is proof that big dreams backed with action can change the story.”
TIME also recognized Abudu’s launch of a $50 million Afro Film Fund in 2024, a bold move aimed at empowering African filmmakers and expanding the global reach of the continent’s stories.
Reacting to the announcement, Abudu called the honor a moment of pride not just for her, but for Nigeria and the entire African creative community.
“Hello, beautiful people.
The 2025 #TIME100 list is out, and I’m deeply honoured to be included among the 100 Most Influential People in the world.
Thank you, @TIME, for this incredible recognition,” she wrote.
“But this moment isn’t just about me, it’s a celebration of African creativity, Nigerian passion and purpose, and the power of storytelling to shape culture, shift narratives, and drive real impact.
That’s the work we do at EbonyLife Media every single day.”
She further emphasized her commitment to nurturing the next generation of African storytellers through platforms like the EbonyLife Creative Academy and EbonyLife Place, a cultural hub that blends hospitality and entertainment.
Over the years, Abudu has transformed EbonyLife Media into one of Africa’s most powerful entertainment brands, with partnerships and projects on global platforms including Netflix, Sony Pictures, and the BBC.
Her inclusion in the TIME 100 underscores her pivotal role in reframing Africa’s narrative on the global stage and her continued influence in reshaping the future of film, culture, and media from the continent.
