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Abudu Mosunmola (born September 11, 1964), sometimes known as Mo Abudu, is a successful lady whom Forbes describes as “Africa’s most successful woman.”
She is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, philanthropist, talk show hostess, television producer, human resource management specialist, and media personality, and philanthropist.
Mo Abudu is the founder and CEO of EbonyLife, Africa’s first global black entertainment network, which launched on Multichoice DSTV Channel 165 on July 1, 2013.
The Independent and Slate Afrique compared her to Oprah Winfrey, calling her “Africa’s Oprah” and “Nigerian Winfrey,” respectively. We think it’s a fantastic idea to combine the two and label her the “Oprah Winfrey of Africa.”.
Mo Abudu Biography
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Akintunde gave birth to Mo Abudu on September 11, 1964, in London, United Kingdom. Her parents are from Ondo State, Nigeria, hence she belongs to the Yoruba tribe.
Mo Abudu grew up in London and went to Ridgeway School, MidKent College, and West Kent College while walking her way through college. She also has a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from the University of Westminster in London.
Career
At the age of 19, Mo Abudu was chosen as AVON Cosmetics’ brand ambassador for the African market.
Abudu began her professional career as a recruitment consultant in 1987 with the Atlas Recruitment Consultancy firm in the United Kingdom, after which she joined Starform Group in 1990.
In 1993, she returned to Nigeria and was recruited by Arthur Andersen to lead ExxonMobil’s Human Resources and Training division. She founded Vic Lawrence & Associates Limited. She also created the Protea Hotel in Oakwood Park. She went on to conceive, produce, and show Moments with Mo before launching EbonyLife Television, a lifestyle network.
Abudu founded Ebonylife TV (ELTV) in 2013, a network that broadcasts in several African countries, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean. On July 1, 2013, Ebonylife TV began broadcasting on Multichoice’s DSTV Channel 165.
EbonyLife TV later began a multi-screen video-on-demand (VOD) platform. It had a carriage agreement with another pay-TV operator, StarTimes. Abudu is also in charge of EbonyLife Media, which comprises EbonyLife Films and EbonyLife Studios.
She also runs EbonyLife Creative Academy, a filmmaking school, and EbonyLife Place, a luxury entertainment resort in Nigeria. Abudu founded EbonyLife Films in 2014. Her debut picture as an executive producer was Fifty. She was a co-producer on The Wedding Party (2016).
She has also executive-produced or co-produced the following films: The Wedding Party 2, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, Chief Daddy, Your Excellency, and Òlòtūré. She also created Blood Sisters, which ranked in the top ten globally on Netflix, with over 11 million viewing hours.
Mo Abudu’s most recent production, Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman, premiered in the Special Presentations category at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. The Dahomey Warriors was created by EbonyLife Media in collaboration with Sony Pictures Television in March 2018.
In January 2020, AMC Networks announced its collaboration with EbonyLife to produce Nigeria 2099, an Afrofuturistic crime drama created by EbonyLife. Other international studio collaborations include Sony, Netflix, Starz and Lionsgate, BBC, Will and Jada Smith’s Westbrook Studios, and Will Packer Productions.
In February 2020, EbonyLife Media and Netflix announced their new relationship. Netflix purchased EbonyLife’s drama series Castle & Castle, Fifty, Sons of the Caliphate, On the Real, and The Governor, as well as the reality show The Dating Game and the feature film The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.
On June 12, 2020, Netflix inked a new partnership with EbonyLife. According to the agreement, she will collaborate with Netflix teams to develop two original shows and several Netflix-branded features. A film adaptation of Death and the King’s Horseman, as well as a television series based on Lola Shoneyin’s debut novel, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, have been announced. In September 2020, Netflix released the movie Òlòtūré.
She signed a relationship with Sony on February 4, 2021, in 2018. On February 17, 2021, it was revealed that EbonyLife would collaborate with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Studios to create a number of film and television projects. Mo Abudu established EbonyLife Place, a lifestyle and entertainment resort, in December 2019.
In 2021, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture will organise EkoDesign, a furniture design and lighting exhibition.Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Media partnered with Sony to launch “Alo,” which translates to “Once Upon A Time.”
BBC Studios announced on November 29, 2021, that it had inked a development agreement with Ebony Life Media. She partnered with Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures to develop film projects.
In 2021, the Harvard Business School (HBS) published a case study about the organization. Mo Abudu has given speeches at the Wharton School of Business, the Cambridge University Judge Business School, Oxford University, and Harvard University.
He is also the Executive Producer and host of Moments with Mo, Africa’s first syndicated daily talk show. The show, which originally aired on M-Net and has TV coverage in 48 African countries, is now available on terrestrial and cable TV worldwide.
The show’s success and goal to influence the world’s picture of Africa have prompted comparisons to Oprah Winfrey, with The Independent and Slate Afrique referring to her as “Africa’s Oprah” or “Nigerian Winfrey,” respectively.
Filmography
- 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
Awards & Nominations
- Recognized by Forbes Africa as the first woman to own a Pan-African TV Channel in 2013.
- 25 Most Powerful Women in Global in 2013
- Entrepreneur of the Year at the International Women’s Day Forum in New York in 2014
- Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) from Babcock University in 2014
- Listed as one of ‘Forbes in Africa in 2015
- Movie Producer of the Year (English) at City People Movie Awards in 2015
- Special Recognition in 2017
- IoD Entrepreneurial Award by the Institute of Directors in 2017
- FAME Award in Excellence in 2017
- 50 Women Making an Impact in Showbiz by Variety Magazine in 2018
- Glazia Persons of the Year Awards in 2018
- African Achievers Awards at the UK House of Commons in 2018
Mo Abudu Husband
Mo Abudu’s husband, Tokunbo Abudu, was a lawyer and businessman. They had two children: Temidayo Abudu and Adekoyejo Abudu. Even after their divorce, their relationship stays intact. Temidayo Abudu, Mo Abudu’s daughter, got married in Los Angeles with a Californian chic motif.
Adebola Makanjuola is her daughter’s spouse. Mo Abudu’s daughter is a copywriter and film producer. Unfortunately, the bride’s father, Tokunbo Abudu, was unable to attend the opulent wedding.
Mo Abudu Net Worth
Mo Abudu’s net worth is estimated to be over $650 million. She is a well-known Nigerian media magnate and the founder of EbonyLife TV, and she is widely considered one of Africa’s most successful women in the entertainment industry.
Social Media
- Twitter: @moabudu
- Instagram: @moabudu