Mo Abudu#Ebony Life Television

Mo Abudu was born in Hammersmith, West London. Her father was an engineer and her mother was a caterer. She is of Yoruba ethnicity. 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.

She attended the Ridgeway School, MidKent College, and West Kent College. She has a Master's degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Westminster in London.{{Cite web |title=Mo Abudu |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5801801/bio |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=IMDb}} Abudu is currently a member of the British Psychological Society with qualifications in occupational and personality testing. In 2014, she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) from Babcock University.{{Cite web|date=3 June 2014|title=Mo Abudu Receives Honorary Doctorate from Babcock University - BellaNaija|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2014/06/mo-abudu-recieves-honorary-doctorate-from-babock-university/|access-date=4 September 2017|website=www.bellanaija.com|language=en-US}} Abudu was awarded by the University of Westminster with an honorary doctorate degree of Doctor of Arts in 2018 in recognition of her contributions to the broadcasting industry in Nigeria.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-13 |title=Mo Abudu bags honorary doctorate degree from University of Westminster |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/mo-abudu-bags-honorary-doctorate-degree-from-university-of-westminster/ |access-date=2022-07-17 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}{{cite news|date=13 November 2019|title=Mo Abudu bags Honorary Doctorate Degree from University of Westminster, UK|publisher=Punch|url=https://punchng.com/mo-abudu-bags-honorary-doctorate-degree-from-university-of-westminster-uk/}}{{cite news|date=13 November 2019|title=Mo Abudu awarded honorary doctorate by University of Westminster|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://guardian.ng/art/mo-abudu-awarded-honorary-doctorate-by-university-of-westminster/}}

At the age 19, Mo Abudu was selected to be the brand ambassador for AVON Cosmetics for the African market.

Abudu started her professional career as a recruitment consultant in 1987 with the Atlas Recruitment Consultancy firm in the UK, from where she moved to Starform Group in 1990. She returned to Nigeria in 1993 and was head-hunted by Arthur Andersen to head the Human Resources and Training for oil company, ExxonMobil. She is the founder of Vic Lawrence & Associates Limited.{{cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/mo-abudu-pies-made-rich/|title=Mo Abudu, the pie that made her rich |publisher=Vanguard |first=Florence |last=Amagiya |date=2 August 2014}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201001242383673 |title=I left ExxonMobil as HR manager to fulfill my personal dream – Mo Abudu |date=24 January 2010 |access-date=12 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127015329/http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201001242383673 |archive-date=27 January 2010 |url-status=dead }} She also conceived the Protea Hotel, Oakwood Park.{{Cite web |last=Amagiya |first=Florence |date=August 2, 2014 |title=Mo Abudu, the pie that made her rich |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/mo-abudu-pies-made-rich/ |access-date=January 21, 2024 |website=Vanguard}} She went on to create, produce and present Moments with Mo, later founded EbonyLife Television, a lifestyle network.{{cite web | url=https://sheleadsafrica.org/ebonylife-tv-mo-abudu/ | title=Mo Abudu: It's an honor that people liken my work to that of Oprah Winfrey | publisher=She Leads Africa | first=Khethiwe | last=Mndawe | date=25 November 2017 | accessdate=14 April 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://iamschick.com/uncategorized/after-6-years-in-operation-mo-abudu-announces-a-big-change-coming-for-the-ebonylife-empire/|title=6 Years After ITS Launch, Mo Abudu Announces a Big Change Coming for the Ebonylife Empire|access-date=11 September 2020|archive-date=19 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919081625/https://iamschick.com/uncategorized/after-6-years-in-operation-mo-abudu-announces-a-big-change-coming-for-the-ebonylife-empire/|url-status=dead}}

Abudu started Ebonylife TV (ELTV) in 2013,{{cite web|title=Meet the hosts of Moments|url=https://www.dstv.com/en-tz/news/lerato-kganyago-pearl-thusi-host-moments-2-20150626|publisher=DStv|accessdate=17 August 2016|date=26 June 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://tv.yahoo.com/news/nigerian-woman-launches-entertainment-tv-network-090312844.htm|title=Nigerian woman launches tv network}} a network airing in many African countries, the UK and the Caribbean.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/29/africa/african-voices-mo-abudu/index.html|title=The Nigerian Media mogul with a global empire|first1=Michelle|last1=Cohan|first2=Nosmot|last2=Gbadamosi|website=CNN|date=29 March 2017|access-date=4 September 2017}} Ebonylife TV transmitted its first broadcast on 1 July 2013 on Multichoice's DSTV Channel 165. Ebonylife TV later launched a multi-screen video-on-demand (VOD) platform.{{cite news|url=https://www.africanbusinesscentral.com/2015/06/03/mo-abudus-ebonylife-tv-launches-subscription-video-on-demand-african-content-platform-for-africans-in-the-diaspora/#:~:text=EbonyLife%20TV%2C%20Africa's%20first%20global,channels%20on%20the%20DStv%20platform. |date=3 June 2015 |title=Mo Abudu's EbonyLife TV launches subscription video-on-demand African content platform for Africans in the Diaspora |publisher=African Business Central}} It had a carriage deal with another pay-TV operator, StarTimes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2018070252700/ebony-life-expands-reach-with-startimes.html#axzz6Pnhp6uRf|title=Ebony Life expands reach with StarTimes |first=Rebecca |last=Hawkes |website=RapidTV News |date=2 July 2018}} Abudu is also in charge of EbonyLife Media,{{Cite web |title=EbonyLife Media (A) - Case - Faculty & Research - Harvard Business School |url=https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=61421 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.hbs.edu}}{{Cite web |last=McGrath |first=Maggie |title=EbonyLife Media Founder Mo Abudu: 'Black Stories Do Matter, And Foreign Stories Do Matter' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2023/03/23/ebonylife-media-founder-mo-abudu-black-stories-do-matter-and-foreign-stories-do-matter/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Forbes |language=en}} which includes EbonyLife Films and EbonyLife Studios. She also oversees the EbonyLife Creative Academy, a school focused on teaching filmmaking skills,{{Cite web |title=Sanwo-Olu Launches EbonyLife Creative Academy - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/03/27/sanwo-olu-launches-ebonylife-creative-academy |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en}} and EbonyLife Place, a luxury entertainment resort in Nigeria.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-12-14 |title=Mo Abudu returns with Ebony Life Place |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/mo-abudu-returns-with-ebony-life-place/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}

Abudu established EbonyLife Films in 2014.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-09 |title=Why I've remained friends with my ex-husband after divorce - Mo Abudu |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/510569-why-ive-remained-friends-with-my-ex-husband-after-divorce-mo-abudu.html |access-date=2022-03-14 |language=en-GB}} Her first film as an executive producer was Fifty. She was a co-producer of The Wedding Party (2016).{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/life/film/the-wedding-party-rakes-in-over-n400m-in-ticket-sales/|title='The Wedding Party' rakes in over N400m in ticket sales|access-date=7 May 2018|language=en-US}} Other films she has also executive-produced or co-produced are: The Wedding Party 2, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, Chief Daddy, Your Excellency and Òlòtūré.{{cite news |last1=Ebirim |first1=Juliet |title=Mo Abudu tackles human trafficking with Òlòtūré |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/mo-abudu-tackles-human-trafficking-with-oloture |website=Vanguard News |access-date=11 February 2021 |date=23 September 2020}} She also produced Blood Sisters; it made the top ten list globally on Netflix,{{Cite web |title=Top 10 TV Shows on Netflix Right Now |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/top10/tv?week=2022-05-08 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=www.netflix.com}} accumulating over 11 million viewing hours. Mo Abudu's latest project, Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman, premiered in the Special Presentations category at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.{{Cite web |last=HUNTER-YOUNG |first=NATALEAH |title=The King's Horseman |url=https://tiff.net/events/the-kings-horseman |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=TIFF |language=en}} In March 2018, EbonyLife Media and Sony Pictures Television co-produced The Dahomey Warriors.{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/29/africa/nollywood-hollywood-female-african-tv-show/index.html|title=Nollywood, Sony Pictures join forces for TV series on all-female African army|first=Chris |last=Giles|work=CNN|access-date=7 May 2018}} In January 2020, AMC Networks announced its partnership with EbonyLife to produce Nigeria 2099, an afrofuturistic crime-drama created by EbonyLife.{{cite news|url=https://culturecustodian.com/ebonylife-amc-nigeria-2099/ |title=MO ABUDU'S EBONYLIFE IS DEVELOPING AN AFRO-FUTURISTIC CRIME-DRAMA FOR AMC NETWORKS |publisher=Culture Custodian |first=Daniel |last=Okechukwu |date=17 January 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.tracking-board.com/launch-pad-alum-ahmadu-garba-sells-new-series-to-amc/ |title=Launch Pad Alum Ahmadu Garba Sells New Series to AMC! |publisher=The Tracking Board |date=17 January 2020}} Other collaborations with international studios include Sony, Netflix, Starz and Lionsgate, BBC, Will and Jada Smith's Westbrook Studios and Will Packer Productions.{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=BreAnna |date=2023-10-10 |title=Lionsgate Partners With Ebony Media Group to Launch Ebony TV |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/lionsgate-ebony-media-group-tv-1235750276/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |date=2021-11-29 |title=BBC Studios Sets Development Deal With Mo Abudu's EbonyLife Media |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/bbc-studios-ebonylife-mo-abudu-development-deal-1235121040/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=2021-02-16 |title=Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook Teams With Nigeria's EbonyLife On Film & TV Slate |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/jada-pinkett-smith-will-smith-westbrook-nigeria-ebonylife-film-tv-slate-1234694457/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2021-08-05 |title=Will Packer & EbonyLife Acquire Rights To Bloomberg Article About Fall Of "Billionaire Gucci Master" Ramon Abbas; Action Thriller Set Up At Universal |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/will-packer-ebonylife-developing-gucci-master-universal-pic-ramon-abbas-hushpuppi-1234809855/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

In February 2020, a new partnership between EbonyLife Media and Netflix was announced. Netflix acquired EbonyLife's drama series: Castle & Castle, Fifty, Sons of the Caliphate, On the Real and The Governor, along with a reality show, The Dating Game, and the feature film The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.{{Cite news|url=https://culturecustodian.com/castle-castle-netflix/ |title=EBONYLIFE'S LEGAL DRAMA 'CASTLE & CASTLE' IS COMING TO NETFLIX |date=10 February 2020 |first=Daniel |last=Okechukwu |publisher=Culture Custodian}} Netflix also signed a new deal with EbonyLife on 12 June 2020. According to the deal, she is to work with the teams at Netflix to create two original series and multiple Netflix-branded films.{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/12/media/netflix-nigeria-deal/index.html|title=Netflix partners with Nigerian filmmaker in new major deal|access-date=12 June 2020 |first=Aisha |last=Salaudeen |website=CNN}} A film adaptation of Death and the King's Horseman and a series based on Lola Shoneyin's debut, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, were announced. In September 2020, Netflix launched a movie titled Òlòtūré.

On 4 February 2021, she signed a partnership with Sony in 2018.{{cite web |title=EBONY LIFE |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sony-mo-abudu-ebonylife-deal |website=HOLLY WOOD REPORTER|date=4 February 2021 }} On 17 February 2021, it was announced that EbonyLife partnered with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook Studios to produce a slate of film and television projects.{{cite web |title=ebony life |url=https://guardian.ng/life/will-smith-and-jada-pinkett-smith-partners-with-mo-abudu/ |website=The Guardian|date=17 February 2021 }}{{cite web |author=Aisha Salaudeen |title=Netflix partners with Nigerian filmmaker in new major deal |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/12/media/netflix-nigeria-deal/index.html |website=CNN |date=12 June 2020 |accessdate=27 June 2020}}

EbonyLife Place, a lifestyle and entertainment resort, was launched by Mo Abudu in the month of December 2019.{{Cite news |last=Akinwale |first=Funsho |date=14 December 2019 |title=Mo Abudu returns with Ebony Life Place |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/mo-abudu-returns-with-ebony-life-place/ |newspaper=The Guardian}}{{Cite news |date=14 December 2019 |title=Media mogul, Mo Abudu, unveils multibillion naira Ebonylife place |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/media-mogul-mo-abudu-unveils-multibillion-naira-ebonylife-place/ |work=The Sun}}

In 2021, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture hosted EkoDesign, a furniture design and lighting exhibition.{{Cite news |last=Bankole |first=Idowu |date=2021-10-30 |title=Lagos, EbonyLife place, team up for EkoDesign |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/10/lagos-ebonylife-place-team-up-for-ekodesign/ |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}} Mo Abudu's EbonyLife Media established a partnership with Sony to set up "Alo" translated into "Once Upon A Time".{{Cite web|date=2021-09-23|title=Mo Abudu's EbonyLife, Sony Pictures set up African writers initiative|url=https://punchng.com/mo-abudus-ebonylife-sony-pictures-set-up-african-writers-initiative/|access-date=2021-09-26|website=Punch Newspapers|language=en-US}} On 29 November 2021, it was announced that BBC Studios had signed a deal with EbonyLife Media for a development deal.{{Cite web|last=Ramachandran|first=Naman|date=2021-11-29|title=BBC Studios Sets Development Deal With Mo Abudu's EbonyLife Media|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/bbc-studios-ebonylife-mo-abudu-development-deal-1235121040/|access-date=2021-11-30|website=Variety|language=en-US}} She collaborated with Idris Elba's Green Door Pictures to develop film projects.{{Cite web |last=Owoseje |first=Toyin |date=2023-03-16 |title=Idris Elba teams up with media mogul Mo Abudu to nurture African film and TV talent |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/16/entertainment/idris-elba-mo-abudu-partnership-intl-scli/index.html |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=CNN |language=en}}

In 2021, the Harvard Business School (HBS) featured a case study on the organization.{{Cite web |last=Edeme |first=Victoria |date=2021-11-18 |title=Mo Abudu's EbonyLife becomes MBA case study at Harvard varsity |url=https://punchng.com/mo-abudus-ebonylife-becomes-mba-case-study-at-harvard-varsity/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}} Mo Abudu has delivered speeches at the Wharton School of Business, Cambridge University Judge School of Business, Oxford University and Harvard University.{{Cite web |title=Mo Abudu, CEO, EbonyLife Media |url=https://www.oxfordafricaforum.com/speakers2021/mo-abudu |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Oxford Africa Business Forum |language=en-GB}}

{{Bias|section|date=May 2024}}

Mo Abudu entered No. 98 of the Forbes list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women for 2021, 2022 and 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/power-women/#7389a1305e25 | title=The World's 100 Most Powerful Women 2022 | website=Forbes }} She has been described by Forbes as "Africa's Most Successful Woman",{{cite news |last=Arogundade |first=Funsho |date=9 January 2015 |title=Mo Abudu Is Forbes Africa's Most Successful Woman |url=http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/01/09/mo-abudu-is-forbes-africas-most-successful-woman/ |accessdate=31 March 2015 |publisher=Prime News}}{{cite web |date=1 January 2015 |title=Africa's Most Successful Women: Mo Abudu |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2015/01/01/africas-most-successful-women-mo-abudu/ |accessdate=28 March 2015 |website=Forbes}} and rated as one of the "25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television" by The Hollywood Reporter.{{cite web |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |date=10 October 2017 |title=25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/25-powerful-women-global-television-1046263/item/michelle-guthrie-australia-25-powerful-woman-global-tv-2017-1046268 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} In October 2021, The Hollywood Reporter named her among the 20 most powerful women in global entertainment.{{cite news |last1=Brzeski |first1=Patrick |last2=Roxborough |first2=Scott |last3=Sun |first3=Rebecca |last4=Szalai |first4=Georg |last5=Vlessing |first5=Etan |date=11 October 2021 |title=The 20 Most Powerful Women in Global Entertainment |work=Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/powerful-women-global-entertainment-1235026092/ |access-date=11 October 2021}} In May 2025, she was named as one of the most influential women in international film by The Hollywood Reporter.{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Patrick Brzeski,Kevin Cassidy,Lily Ford,Scott Roxborough,Georg Szalai,Etan |date=2025-05-09 |title=The Most Influential Women in International Film |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/most-influential-women-international-film-2025-1236208801/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

• The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives (novel) (TV Series)
• Untitled Billionaire Gucci Master Project
• Blood Sisters (TV Mini Series 2022)
• Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke (2022)
• Òlòtūré (2019)
• Chief Daddy (2018)
• Castle & Castle (TV Series 2018)
• The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai (2017)
• The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017)
• Fifty (TV Series 2017)
• Sons of the Caliphate (TV Series)
• The Wedding Party (2016/II)
• On the Real (TV Series 2016)
• The Governor (TV Series)
• Fifty (2015)
• Desperate Housewives Africa (TV Series 2015)
• Dowry (TV Series 2014)
• Married to the Game - MTTG (TV Series 2014)
• Deadline (TV Series 2014)
• Love and War (TV Movie 2013)
• Baby Farm 2025

Abudu is the Executive Producer and host of a TV talk show, Moments with Mo, which is the first syndicated daily talk show on African regional television.{{cite web|last1=Faul|first1=Michelle|title='Africa's Oprah' Mo Abudu launches TV network in Nigeria|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2013/07/02/africas_oprah_mo_abudu_launches_tv_network_in_nigeria.html|website=Thestar.com|accessdate=17 August 2016|date=2 July 2013}}{{cite web | url=https://thenet.ng/net-exclusive-mo-abudu-launches-n2bn-tv-channel/ | title=ET Exclusive: Mo' Abudu launches N2bn TV channel | publisher=Net newspapers | work=Nigerian Entertainment | date=10 June 2013 | access-date=27 March 2014 | first=Enengedi | last=Victor | pages=1 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419024702/http://thenet.ng/2013/06/net-exclusive-mo-abudu-launches-n2bn-tv-channel/ | archive-date=19 April 2014 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}

File:Mo Abudu & Hillary Clinton.jpg

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,{{cite web|last1=Smallman|first1=Etan|title=Meet Africa's Oprah: Why Mosunmola 'Mo' Abudu wants to change the world's view of her continent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/meet-africas-oprah-why-mosunmola-mo-abudu-wants-to-change-the-worlds-view-of-her-continent-8940635.html|publisher=Independent|accessdate=17 August 2016|date=16 November 2013}} 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."{{Cite web|url=http://www.mynaijanews.com/content/view/809/123/|title=Grand launch for Mo-ments with Mo|date=31 October 2007|accessdate=31 October 2007}}

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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.slateafrique.com/306465/medias-mosunmola-abudu-oprah-winfrey-nigeriane|title=Mosunmola Abudu, la Oprah Winfrey nigériane {{!}} Slate Afrique|work=Slate Afrique|access-date=4 September 2017|language=fr-FR}}

Mo 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/arts/article09//indexn3_html?pdate=230709&ptitle=The%20Debaters...%20new%20on%20screen&cpdate=230709|title=The Debaters... new on screen|date=23 July 2009}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Forbes Africa recognised Abudu as the first African woman to own a Pan-Africa TV channel (2013).{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbesafrica.com/entreprenuers/2013/10/01/mo-abudu-africas-queen-talk/|title=Mo Abudu Africa's queen of talk - Forbes Africa|date=1 October 2013|work=Forbes Africa|access-date=4 September 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904195606/https://www.forbesafrica.com/entreprenuers/2013/10/01/mo-abudu-africas-queen-talk/|url-status=dead}}[http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/art/arts/129360-ebony-life-boss-mo-abudu-gets-forbes-nod-] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130823104115/http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/art/arts/129360-ebony-life-boss-mo-abudu-gets-forbes-nod-|date=23 August 2013}}. The Guardian (Nigeria) She was listed as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Global TV by The Hollywood Reporter in 2013{{Cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/mipcom-25-powerful-women-global-642526/item/mosunmola-abudu-25-powerful-women-642527|title=Mosunmola Abudu - MIPCOM: The 25 Most Powerful Women in Global TV|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=4 September 2017|language=en}} and received the Entrepreneur of the Year award by Women Werk in New York (2014).{{Cite news|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/international-womens-day-mo-abudu-wins-entrepreneur-of-the-year/|title=International Women's Day: Mo Abudu wins Entrepreneur of the Year - The Nation Nigeria|date=11 March 2014|work=The Nation Nigeria|access-date=4 September 2017|language=en-US}}

Abudu was nominated to serve as a member of the Advisory Group on Technology and Creatively for Nigeria.{{cite news |url=https://techpoint.africa/2018/07/10/tech-creativity-advisory-group/ |title=Here are 28 tech entrepreneurs that made the presidential advisory group |publisher=TechPoint Africa |first=Titilola |last=Oludimu |date=10 July 2018}} Abudu was appointed a Director of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the organization responsible for staging the International Emmy Award.{{cite news |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2018/12/mo-abudu-elected-director-of-international-academy-of-television-arts-sciences/ |title=Mo Abudu elected Director of International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |publisher=Bella Naija |date=21 December 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://allure.vanguardngr.com/2018/12/mo-abudu-elected-director-international-academy-of-television-arts-sciences/ |title=Mo Abudu elected Director of International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |publisher=Allure Vanguard |date=21 December 2018}} The Academy later appointed her as Chair of the 47th International Emmy Awards Gala, held in New York on Monday 25 November 2019. She was the first African to land the role.{{cite news |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/11/27/mo-abudu-becomes-first-african-to-chair-47th-international-emmy-awards-gala/ |title=Mo Abudu Becomes First African to Chair 47th International Emmy Awards Gala |publisher=This Day |date=27 November 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/365581-mo-abudu-becomes-first-african-to-chair-emmy-awards-gala.html |title=Mo Abudu becomes first African to chair Emmy awards gala |publisher=Premium Times |date=28 November 2019}}

She was named on the Power list 2018, an annual list of the UK's top 100 most influential people of African and Caribbean heritage. Abudu was nominated to serve as a member of the Advisory Group on Technology and Creatively for Nigeria in 2018 as well.

In 2019, she was awarded the MIPTV's 2019 Médailles d'Honneur, in Cannes, France, making her the first African{{Cite web|url=https://www.screenafrica.com/2019/04/09/tv-radio/business-tv-radio/nigerian-media-mogul-mo-abudu-receives-2019-medailles-dhonneur-at-miptv/|title=Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu receives 2019 Médailles d'Honneur at MIPTV - Screen Africa|work=Screen Africa |date=9 April 2019|language=en-US|access-date=13 December 2019 |last1=Media |first1=Ebonylife }} to be a recipient of the reputable award. Later that year, Abudu was announced as being listed in the 2020 Powerlist, listing the Top 100 of the most influential people in the UK of African/African-Caribbean descent.{{cite web |last1=Mills |first1=Kelly-Ann |title=Raheem Sterling joins Meghan and Stormzy in top 100 most influential black Brits |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/black-powerlist-2020-raheem-sterling-20721033 |website=mirror |accessdate=20 April 2020 |date=25 October 2019}} She is featured in the 493-page book, Greatest Blacks Ever: Top 100 Blacks Who Changed the World for Peace. Progress. Prosperity. Pleasure.,{{Cite book|title=Greatest Blacks Ever: Top 100 Blacks Who Changed the World for Peace. Progress. Prosperity. Pleasure.|last=Rahming|first=Elliston |date=15 June 2017|publisher=Dog Ear Publishing |isbn=9781457551512|edition=1|language=English}} authored by Ambassador Elliston Rahming and published by Dog Ear Publishing.

Mo Abudu is a recipient of an honorary degree from Babcock University,{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |date=2014-06-03 |title=Mo Abudu Receives Honorary Doctorate from Babcock University |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2014/06/mo-abudu-recieves-honorary-doctorate-from-babock-university/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}} Nigeria and University of Westminster UK, also Médailles d'Honneur from MIPTV in 2019,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-04-09 |title=Mo Abudu Receives 2019 Médailles d'Honneur in Cannes at MIPTV |url=https://guardian.ng/life/mo-abudu-receives-2019-medailles-dhonneur-in-cannes-at-miptv/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} and Series Mania Woman in Series Award 2022.{{Cite web |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=2022-03-08 |title=EbonyLife Chief Mo Abudu to Get Series Mania Award – Global Bulletin |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/asia/mo-abudu-series-mania-award-1235198748/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Abudu received an invitation to become a member of the Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences, ('THE OSCARS') in the PRODUCER membership category.{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |date=2021-07-02 |title=Oscars: Meet the Academy Member Class of 2021 – Ramsey Nouah, Mo Abudu & Andrew Dosunmu |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2021/07/academy-2021-ramsey-nouah-mo-abudu/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}} In October 2022 Abudu was awarded a National Honour, 'Officer of the Order of the Niger' (OON) by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.{{Cite web |last=Enenaite |first=Blessing |date=2022-10-15 |title=Entertainers who found favour with Buhari, bag national honour |url=https://punchng.com/entertainers-who-found-favour-with-buhari-bag-national-honour/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}

Abudu in August 2023, was designated as the Creatives Champion for the forthcoming UK-African Investment Summit by the UK Government.{{Cite web |last=Augoye |first=Jayne |date=2023-08-04 |title=Mo Abudu appointed Creatives Champion for UK-African Investment Summit |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/614175-mo-abudu-appointed-creatives-champion-for-uk-african-investment-summit.html |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en-GB}} She was announced an Executive Fellow of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, Harvard University.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-26 |title=HBS Announces 2022-2023 Cohort of Executive Fellows |url=https://www.hbs.edu/news/releases/Pages/2022-2023-Executive-Fellows.aspx |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Harvard Business School |language=en}}

In 2024 she received the ELOY Iconic Recognition Award.{{Cite web |last=RITA |date=2024-12-03 |title=Mo Abudu, Bimbo Ademoye, Priscilla Ojo, Afolabi-Brown shine at Eloy 2024 Awards |url=https://allure.vanguardngr.com/2024/12/mo-abudu-bimbo-ademoye-priscilla-ojo-afolabi-brown-shine-at-eloy-2024-awards/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Vanguard Allure |language=en-US}}

Mo Abudu lives in Lagos. She has a son and a daughter and was formerly married to Tokunbo Abudu.{{Cite news|url=https://www.naija.ng/1118608-mo-abudu-husband-children.html#1118608|title=Interesting facts from the personal and family life of Africa's Oprah - Mo Abudu|last=Adoti|first=Olive|date=4 August 2017|work=Naija.ng - Nigeria news.|access-date=23 January 2018|language=en-US}}

• Amira Elmissiry
• Funke Opeke

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Mosunmola Abudu}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20180102011201/http://thedebaters-ng.com/ The Debaters Official Page]
• [http://www.inspire-africa.com Inspire Africa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028062628/http://inspire-africa.com/ |date=28 October 2020 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abudu, Mosunmola}}

Category:1964 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of the University of Westminster

Category:English people of Nigerian descent

Category:British emigrants to Nigeria

Category:Businesspeople from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

Category:Nigerian television talk show hosts

Category:Black British television personalities

Category:Nigerian motivational speakers

Category:Nigerian philanthropists

Category:Nigerian television company founders

Category:Nigerian women company founders

Category:Television personalities from Lagos

Category:Nigerian management consultants

Category:Women television personalities

Category:21st-century Nigerian businesswomen

Category:21st-century Nigerian businesspeople

Category:Nigerian women film producers

Category:Nigerian film producers

Category:People from Ondo State

Category:Nigerian film directors

Category:People associated with the University of Westminster

Category:Nigerian chief executives

Category:Nigerian television producers

Category:People from Hammersmith