The media mogul Oprah Winfrey continues to wield the charming effect known as ‘The Oprah Effect’ — a force of enormous influence — as she embraces the septuagenarian age in 2024.

It’s not just that a single comment by the Mississippi-born billionaire, valued at over $2 billion, can significantly impact a stock, as witnessed with WW International (WW) stock in October 2023. Her influence extends far beyond, reaching local communities like Maui which was ravaged by wildfire last year. There, her foundation is raising funds to support families impacted by the incident, which claimed over 100 lives and destroyed 2,207 houses.

Through the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, Winfrey has carried out such philanthropic causes, dedicating her life and wealth to imparting lives. In over two decades, the Foundation has donated $400 million, educated more than 70,000 students and provided over 75 million meals to impoverished and starving individuals.

If, by 2050, the world achieved its ambitious goal of zero-carbon emissions, Greta Thunberg’s climate activism, which she began as a teenager, would have yielded the intended result of saving the Earth.

Since 2018 when Thunberg initiated her first School Strike for Climate, the Swedish national has been one of the leading voices to save the planet from hurtling toward a 1.5-degree temperature increase—a level scientists say would make it extremely challenging for humans to adapt due to extreme heat, drought, and floods.

Currently, climate change, a term most world leaders paid little attention to five decades ago and which was relatively unknown among the young population, has garnered significant attention, largely due to Thunberg’s continued activism.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is not just one of Africa’s most accomplished novelists; she’s a cultural earthquake. To outsiders, her powerful stories provide a glimpse into understanding the African narrative, but to Africans, she inspires with her deeply relatable and engaging tales.

Adichie’s novels — from the award-winning “Half of a Yellow Sun” to the poignant “Americanah” — shatter stereotypes while celebrating the continent’s rich history, diverse cultures, and vibrant contemporary stories.

Beyond fiction, Adichie is an advocate of gender equality and good governance, demonstrating bravery in speaking truth to power. In 2022, Adichie declined a national award from former President Muhammadu Buhari. While she privately conveyed her reasons for the rejection to the government, she followed in the footsteps of her icon, Chinua Achebe, who rejected a national award twice due to leadership ‘failure’ in the country.

Adichie, the first woman to be conferred a chieftaincy title in her hometown of Abba, Anambra, was among those who criticised the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria as lacking merit. In an open letter to U.S. President Joe Biden, she criticised him for congratulating Bola Tinubu, the declared winner of the election, which she claimed was marred by malpractice. 

She wrote: “Congratulating its [the election’s] outcome, President Biden, tarnishes America’s self-proclaimed commitment to democracy. Please do not give the sheen of legitimacy to an illegitimate process. The United States should be what it says it is.”

For 12 years at the helm of the American tech giant, Apple Inc., Tim Cook has steered the $1.9 trillion company into becoming one of the world’s most valued corporations.

Under his leadership, Apple is undergoing a bold transformation, including Vision 2030, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2030.

In an era of increasing concern about data privacy, Cook has positioned Apple as a champion of user privacy and has implemented robust privacy features in Apple’s products and services.

For advocating against human rights violations, including the death penalty in Iran—a country with the highest execution rate in the world—Narges Mohammadi has continuously been in prison since 2010. She has been arrested 13 times and is currently serving a 10-year jail term in Tehran for ‘spreading propaganda.’

However, the 51-year-old mother of teenage twins is still advocating for the rights of the Iranian people even from her prison cell. In a recent speech smuggled from prison and read out by her children during her recognition for the Nobel Peace Prize in December, she denounced Iran’s “tyrannical” government.

“The Iranian people, with perseverance, will overcome repression and authoritarianism,” she said.

Since their marriage in 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been under constant media scrutiny. The interest in the lives of the couple reached new heights when, in January 2020, they announced their decision to step back from senior royal duties. It was uncertain how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would craft their own lives outside the Royal Family and the funding they received for their services. However, the duo has since shown unwavering resilience in their pursuit of an independent life.

When they left the United Kingdom for California, the couple launched the Archewell Foundation, named after their first son, and aimed at helping communities and indigent people.

They also ventured into other facets of life. Harry’s recent documentary series, “The Me You Can’t See,” sparked vital conversations about mental health struggles worldwide, showcasing his own vulnerability and encouraging others to seek help.

With three Netflix documentary series and Harry’s critically acclaimed book, released in January 2023, the couple appears to be building their own empire away from the conservative regulation or scrutiny of the British monarchy system.

In Africa, a continent already steeped in corruption, some individuals are leveraging the use of social media to expose the shady deals of their leaders.

Hopewell Chin’ono, a journalist and advocate for good governance in his home country of Zimbabwe, has been a leading voice against the misappropriation of funds by public officials.

In 2020, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Chin’ono reported on an alleged Covid-19 procurement fraud within the Ministry of Health, which led to the arrest and eventual dismissal of Obadiah Moyo, the country’s health minister.

Amidst soaring inflation that has eroded the purchasing power of Zimbabweans and driven millions into poverty, Zimbabwe stands out as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Having been arrested on several occasions due to his activism, Chin’ono is on a mission to hold political leaders accountable, continuously speaking against corruption.

In 2022, Nigeria’s investigative journalist David Hundeyin brought to the public’s attention some questionable aspects of Bola Tinubu’s past when he was a presidential candidate.

Hundeyin’s investigation into Tinubu’s life during his time in the United States, focusing on his forfeiture of money due to his alleged involvement in narcotics dealing and discrepancies in his Chicago State University student credentials, played a significant role in court litigation by opposition parties that followed after Tinubu was declared the winner of the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

Hundeyin was also instrumental in exposing other questionable governmental dealings, such as the Nigeria Air project. Hundeyin uncovered that the former Aviation Minister, Hadis Sirika, allegedly leased and repainted an Ethiopian Airline Boeing 737-800 plane, presenting it as an aircraft belonging to the newly launched national carrier. The carrier, despite being launched with much fanfare, has yet to commence operations months after its introduction. The current minister, Festus Keyamo, has described it as fraudulent, affirming Hundeyin’s investigative findings.

Through his open-source style of investigative journalism, many Nigerians have become aware of controversial government deals and bills, including the potential human rights violations contained in the 2020 infectious diseases bill. This legislation was hurried through the House of Representatives as a measure against the spread of Covid-19.

Since 2019, the Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, has embraced the tradition of celebrating Christmas, despite occasional backlash from his Muslim brothers.

This involves the practice of posting pictures of himself and his family dressed in Christmas robes, often with a Christmas tree in the background.

Last year, he used this tradition as a medium to spotlight the war in Gaza and the death of innocent people.

He wrote: “Christmas is a time when families come together to celebrate. With the brutal war ongoing in the Middle East, particularly the death and destruction in Gaza, this year we approach Christmas with heavy hearts. We share the pain of those families who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Please do not forget them, and do not become accustomed to their suffering. Merry Christmas.”

Considered one of the most decorated American gymnasts of all time, Simone Biles made a significant impact with her decision to withdraw from several events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to prioritise her mental health. This move sparked conversations about mental health in sports and inspired millions of people to speak up and seek help for their own mental health challenges.

Born on March 14, 1997, Biles overcame childhood challenges, including periods in and out of foster care due to her mother’s inability to properly care for her and her siblings. Despite these hurdles, she went on to win seven Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, many of which were gold.

Biles has faced notable setbacks in her career, including injuries such as bone spurs and shoulder injuries, as well as her struggles with mental health. In August 2023, after a two-year hiatus, Biles returned to the gymnasium and claimed first place at the Core Hydration Classic.

Despite his scepticism about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, is a tech entrepreneur renowned for undertaking highly risky ventures, often with remarkable success. This explains his early investment in DeepMind, an AI company acquired by Google in 2014. Musk later co-founded OpenAI with Sam Altman, resigning from the board in 2018. 

As the CEO of Tesla, the world’s most valued car company, and leading other successful ventures like SpaceX, Musk launched his own AI company in March 2023. Described as a tool to assist “humanity’s quest for understanding and knowledge,” Musk’s xAI unveiled Grok, exclusively available to X users on the platform he acquired in 2022, formerly Twitter, for $44 billion. 

Musk’s influential status is attributed to his pioneering role in transformative technologies, shaping industries and pushing boundaries.

Tsitsi Dangarembga, an acclaimed writer, filmmaker, and cultural activist, has played a significant role in championing conversations focusing on the development of her home country, Zimbabwe.

In Africa’s literary landscape, Dangarembga is considered influential, with her debut novel, “Nervous Condition,” regarded as one of the books from the 21st century that has shaped the world. However, Dangarembga’s accolades are not limited to literature.

As the founder and creative director of the Institute of Creative Arts for Progress in Africa, Dangarembga aims to contribute to the transformation of Africa’s economy through innovative, entertaining, and sustainable arts production.

Her impact extends to advocacy for good governance in Zimbabwe. In July 2020, Dangarembga was arrested and detained by security agencies ahead of a planned anti-corruption demonstration. In July 2022, she was found guilty of ‘inciting violence,’ and fined 70,000 Zimbabwe dollars.

Carine Kaneza Nantulya, a transitional justice practitioner, has emerged as a leading voice in documenting, scrutinising, and reporting human rights abuses in Africa.

With 20 years of experience, Nantulya serves as the Africa Deputy Director for Human Rights Watch, an international non-governmental organisation that conducts research and advocates for human rights.

Her extensive work has played a pivotal role in piloting conflict resolution initiatives in Burundi, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and various other African countries.

From Niger’s coup, where the military junta has been accused of human rights abuses, to the presence of the Wagner Group in Mali and other African nations, violating human rights, Nantulya persistently spotlights and addresses the challenges Africans are facing.

When Ousmane Sonko was dismissed from his position as the country’s tax inspector in 2016 after exposing alleged corrupt practices linked to some Senegalese elites, such as a $50 million mineral sands processing plant, and how SNC Lavalin-Mauritius Ltd, a Canadian company, avoided paying an estimated $8.9 million in taxes, Sonko gained popularity among Senegalese, particularly the young population.

However, Sonko’s campaign against corruption and his subsequent entry into politics has been met with stiff resistance.

On June 1, 2023, while Sonko was acquitted of rape charges, he was sentenced to two years over a criminal offence described in the penal code as “immoral behaviour towards individuals younger than 21” – a ruling many believed was aimed at preventing him from contesting the February 2024 presidential election. Although a recent court ruling overturned an earlier judgement that barred Sonko from taking part in the election as a candidate, the 49-year-old has been in detention since July.

To many Senegalese, Sonko offers a departure from the usual political status quo as he continues to race towards becoming Senegal’s president.

Kelvin Kiptum’s recent feat in achieving the title of the fastest marathon runner in the world is one that defied odds.

Born on December 2, 1999, in the small Kenyan village of Chepkorio, Kiptum herded his family’s cattle and began following other runners barefoot along forest trails. He stunned the world 10 years later, in October 2023, when he covered a distance of 42.195 km within two hours – a new record in a sport where the average men’s marathon time is estimated at 4:21:03.

Described by some analysts as fearless, Kiptum’s fascinating record was achieved less than a year after he started participating in marathons, having won three out of the three marathons he has ever taken part in.

As the titleholder for the fastest marathon runner in the world, the 23-year-old Kenyan stands as the sole individual in history to cover the distance of 42.195 km in under two hours and one minute in a race eligible for setting records. 

Although from a hometown that has produced some great Kenyan marathon runners, like Geoffrey Kamworor, Kiptum, a self-taught athlete, is among a new crop of athletes who began their careers in long-distance running without first competing on the track in shorter-distance races.

Although climate change literacy in Africa is among the lowest globally, the continent is grappling with disastrous effects, from flooding to drought.

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a Chadian environmental activist, is a prominent advocate for climate change awareness, driven by firsthand experiences of its impacts. Ibrahim’s hometown, Mbororo, traditionally nomadic farmers herding and tending cattle, has witnessed the drying up of Lake Chad, a major water source for locals that has lost about 90 per cent of its water body since the 1960s.

Through her community-based organisation, Indigenous Peul Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT), Ibrahim not only raises awareness of climate change but also strives to mitigate its impact through various projects.

Denis Mukwege, a Congolese gynaecologist, has been notable in the treatment of women raped by armed rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country has faced multiple conflicts from the Second Congo War to the Tutsi-led rebel group.

Mukwege sometimes performs up to ten operations a day during his 17-hour working days. Some publications consider him as one of the world’s leading experts on repairing injuries caused by rape. His Panzi Hospital, which he established at the start of the war in 1999, has treated over 82,000 patients with complex gynaecological damage and trauma, of which 60 per cent are injuries resulting from instances of sexual violence used as a weapon of war.

Beyond his medical aid, Mukwege’s continued criticism of the government’s apparent lack of effort to stop what he called “an unjust war that has used violence against women and rape as a strategy of war” has resulted in several threats to his life.

In October, Mukwege announced his intention to vie for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo which was held on December 20, 2023. However, he lost his election bid to President Felix Tshisekedi.

With diarrhoea and pneumonia as the top killers of over six million children under the age of five, a simple behavioural change—washing hands with soap—can prevent these infections and help save 600,000 children every year.

Although washing hands with soap is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent some deadly infections, including Cholera, flu, Ebola, SARS, and trachoma, it is a practice often taken for granted.  To an extent, Dr. Myriam Sidibe’s hand-washing movement altered the behaviour of one billion people globally, a goal achieved in 2019. Through her advocacy, she played a pivotal role in establishing the multi-award-winning, UN-recognised Global Handwashing Day, now celebrated every October 15.

Born in Mali, a small country in West Africa, Sidibe is the founder and CEO of Brands on Mission, an organisation that helps brands and organisations accelerate their impact on global health and well-being. Since 2021, Sidibe, through her organisation, has worked on nine health issues, with an estimated investment of $9.35 million, impacting the lives of over 30 million people.

To access education beyond the shores of Africa, many individuals face the challenge of taking an English proficiency test, even if they are proficient in the English language.

Nigerian-born Dr. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi is one of the leading voices whose advocacy is helping to change this narrative.

In June 2022, when the University of Alberta in Canada added Nigeria to the list of English-speaking countries after Igbalajobi sent an email inquiring about some discrepancies, a campaign was born. With over 40 emails to universities in the United States and Canada, more than six universities have changed their policies on requiring Nigerians to submit an English proficiency certificate before gaining admission to their institutions.

But that’s not all. Through Scholarship Cafe, a platform he founded in 2020 that provides academic opportunities to underrepresented backgrounds, Igbalajobi has helped over 20,000 candidates access scholarship opportunities.

In 2003, two Egyptian women, Dina El-Mofty and Dahlia Helaly, fueled by their passion for education and the realisation of its impact on young people, founded INJAZ Egypt, an organisation with a strong educational focus on entrepreneurship.

Over the years, INJAZ Egypt has empowered over 800,000 young Egyptians to realise their fullest potential by becoming sought-after employees and entrepreneurs. Through well-thought-out programs like University Programs, which prepare students for the job market as entrepreneurs and employees of choice, and Start Up Egypt, one of the country’s largest entrepreneurship pipelines, the duo leads a revolutionary platform that has gained pioneer status in helping young aspiring entrepreneurs.

.

Timnit Gebru’s abrupt exit in December 2020 from Google as the technical co-lead of the Ethical Artificial Intelligence Team, following her co-authorship of a critically acclaimed research paper covering the risks of large language models, positioned the Eritrean-Ethiopian computer scientist as an activist for the better use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A notable voice in championing the risks in AI and advocating for their resolution rather than concealing the truth, Gebru was among those who signed a letter calling on Amazon to cease selling its facial-recognition technology to law enforcement agencies due to its bias against women and people of colour.

Born in Ethiopia to Eritrean parents, Gebru is the co-founder of Black in AI, a community aimed at promoting the participation of black researchers in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

She is also the founder of the Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (DAIR), an interdisciplinary and globally distributed AI research institute rooted in the belief that, while AI is not inevitable, its harms are preventable.

Nigerian-born Inioluwa Deborah Raji is a computer scientist and activist who focuses on algorithmic bias, AI accountability, and algorithmic auditing. Having collaborated with some of the world’s leading companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Face++, and Kairos, where she audited commercial facial recognition technologies, Raji identified that some of these technologies are less accurate in identifying black faces. In her research on gender and racial bias in facial recognition technology, Raji has previously collaborated with Timnit Gebru and the Algorithmic Justice League, founded by Joy Buolamwini.

To promote increased student access to engineering education, mentorship, and resources in low-income and immigrant communities in the Greater Toronto Area, Raji founded Project Include in 2015.

A former professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi is a staunch advocate for democracy, the rule of law, and inclusive governance. His zeal transformed into building Afrobarometer, a non-partisan, data-centric organisation that measures public attitudes on economic, political, and social matters in Africa.

Through its 21 survey topics—Conflict and Crime, Democracy, Elections, Gender Equality, Governance, Identity, Macroeconomics and Markets, Political Participation, Poverty, Public Services, Social Capital, Tolerance, Access to Justice, Citizenship, China, Energy Supply, and Pan-Africanism/Regionalism—Afrobarometer has helped governments analyse and make decisions based on facts and figures.

Born in Ghana in 1953, Gyimah-Boadi now serves as the chair of Afrobarometer’s board of directors.

From arts and entertainment, and banking, to shaping public policy, the Peterside family has contributed their quota to the development of various sectors in Nigeria.

Atedo Peterside, the founder of IBTC, now part of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, has diversified from the banking sector to aviation and has become an advocate for good governance through his foundation, the Atedo N. A. Peterside Foundation (Anap Foundation).

Peterside, also the convener of GoNigeria, a non-profit, non-partisan movement dedicated to building a new voice for young people in Nigeria, is helping foster new political awareness among the youth in a country faced with political apathy and low youth participation in political matters.

In the art and culture industry, Peterside’s daughter, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, is repositioning Nigeria as a leading international art fair in West Africa through her firm, ART X Collective. The company’s flagship fair, ART X Lagos, which debuted in 2016, has hosted galleries and artists from over 40 countries.

Patrick Soon-Shiong is not just the inventor of the life-saving drug Abraxane, which gained renown for its efficacy against lung, breast, and pancreatic cancer; the South African multi-billionaire is also a transplant surgeon, businessman, bioscientist, and media proprietor committed to improving healthcare delivery.

As a signatory to the Giving Pledge, a charitable campaign encouraging wealthy individuals to dedicate a portion of their wealth to philanthropy, Soon-Shiong pledged to donate at least half of his wealth to philanthropic causes.

Through his three foundations—the Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation, the Chan Soon-Shiong Institute for Advanced Health, and the Healthcare Transformation Institute—Soon-Shiong provides grants to charities while conducting groundbreaking research to defeat cancer and enhance the health and wellness of people.

Through anime, an industry valued at $28 billion, Japanese filmmakers have been able to showcase traditional values such as respect for elders, hard work, and loyalty on a global scale.

Hayao Miyazaki, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished filmmakers in the history of animation, directed “The Boy and the Heron,” which has generated a box office revenue of $84 million since its release in July 2023.

Through his numerous anime creations, including “Ponyo,” “The Wind Rises,” and “Spirited Away,” people around the world have gained a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and heritage. 

An inspiration to young aspiring African footballers, Senegal-born Sadio Mane is one of the African stars using their success to give back to their communities.

From playing barefoot while growing up in Bambali to becoming one of the most decorated African footballers, Mane’s influence goes beyond inspiring footballers; he continues to allocate a significant portion of his earnings to promote infrastructural development in Senegal.

In an interview, Mane questioned why he would want “10 Ferraris, 20 diamond watches, or two planes” when many Senegalese back home struggle to access good healthcare, schools, or water. 

In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mane donated €41,000 to the national committees fighting the virus in Senegal, just a year after he gifted €250,000 for the construction of a new school in his hometown of Bambali. Also, in June 2021, the former Liverpool star donated €500,000 to help fund the construction of a hospital in Bambali.

As the Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships at the World Resources Institute (WRI), Wanjira Mathai fights for justice and the future of Africa, using her various positions to promote peace and advocate for global issues, including deforestation and energy access.

Born in Kenya, Mathai was part of the Green Belt Movement, an indigenous grassroots organisation founded by her mother, Professor Wangari Maathai, which empowers women by addressing the problem of global deforestation through tree planting.

Also, as the chairperson of the Wangari Maathai Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to championing the legacy of her mother, Mathai is helping build Kenya’s future leaders by supporting the ideas of young people capable of making a difference. 

In 2018, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo shot to global fame after being appointed Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry in Botswana, becoming the youngest person in the country’s history to serve as a cabinet member. The University of Sussex-trained economist became an inspiration to millions of Africans dreaming to defy regional odds and achieve their dreams.

Her words, “Dream it, believe it, then make it happen,” define the mantra of this woman who has gone on to lead various high-profile positions after leaving the Botswana cabinet.

In 2021, when the United Kingdom assumed the presidency of the G7, Kenewendo was appointed by Liz Truss, the country’s Minister for Women and Equalities, to the newly formed Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC).

Now serving as Africa’s Regionalisation Director and Special Advisor to the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, a position she assumed in June 2022, the renowned economist is contributing to achieving the body’s goal of combating “dangerous human interference with the climate system.”

Serving as a headmaster at the young age of 17 in a secondary school founded by his mother made Fred Swaniker understand the transformative power of education.

In 2004, he co-founded the African Leadership Academy (ALA), an educational institution for students between 16 and 19 years old with the core objective of developing a powerful network of young leaders who will work together to address Africa’s greatest challenges, achieve extraordinary social impact, and accelerate the continent’s growth trajectory.

Inspired by the prospects digital skills now offer, Swaniker’s ALX, a digital training platform, is on a mission to equip young Africans with practical, in-demand tech skills ranging from Data Science, AWS Cloud Computing, to Software Engineering.

Since 2021, ALX has trained and graduated over 85,000 tech enthusiasts, with the platform described by many as one of the leading tech educational platforms in Africa. 

Nigerian-United Kingdom-based property maestro, Yemi Edun, who founded Daniel Ford and Co., a real estate firm that manages over 600 properties in Central London, is an inspirational force helping disadvantaged communities.

Aside from being one of the sponsors of the Central Saint Martins Fine Art Auction, Edun, through his community-based non-governmental organisation, Action for Change Empowerment (ACE), aligns with charities to implement worthy causes in Nigeria. With over N65 million raised, ACE has embarked on a medical outreach, palliative distribution to vulnerable individuals, as well as supporting small and medium-scale enterprises in Nigeria.

As a way to motivate inner-city school kids, Edun launched a lecture series where inspirational leaders from Black communities speak at local schools. In 2021, Nigeria’s renowned writer Wole Soyinka spoke at one of such lectures at the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, where he addressed over 600 students.

Tech entrepreneur Eric Collins, who previously served on Barack Obama’s Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities, continues his efforts to invest in ideas from individuals in underrepresented communities. 

Through his venture capital firm, Impact X Capital, founded in 2018, Collins aims to bridge the gap. As of 2018, only one per cent of VC funding went to teams led by people of colour.

In the last six years, Impact X Capital has, through partnerships with critical investors, raised over £100 million, which has been invested in transformative ideas; notably Predina, a smart navigation software designed to prevent road traffic accidents.

Peter Obi, a former governor of Nigeria, became a sensation, particularly among youths, when he resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2022 to contest for the presidency in a relatively known party.

Campaigning on the theme of transforming Nigeria from ‘consumption to production,’ Obi initiated a movement known as the ‘OBIdient’ movement, named after him, which resonated across the country.

During the presidential election on February 25, 2023, Obi challenged the political status quo of Africa’s most populous nation, turning the election into a three-horse race and one of the most contentious polls in the country’s history.

Tyler Perry, considered one of America’s most successful Black filmmakers, has used his platform to mentor and spotlight actors.

Inside his 367-acre studio complex facility, where about 5,000 people work on a busy day, Perry helps bring the dreams of actors to life. This is exemplified in the life of Andre Hall, who was on the verge of quitting acting before landing his first major television role in Perry’s sitcom “Love Thy Neighbor,” where he starred as Danny Harris.

The American actor, filmmaker, and playwright, whose fortune is valued at $1 billion, owns a private island in the affluent Bahamas and a Beverly Hills estate, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sought refuge when they left the Royal Family and came to California.

But Perry is also committed to philanthropy. As far back as 2009, when he pledged a $1 million donation to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the media mogul has continued to donate a portion of his wealth to underprivileged individuals. Additionally, in 2020, when 27-year-old African-American man Rayshard Brooks was fatally shot by an Atlanta police officer, Perry pledged to pay for the funeral as well as offered to cover the college tuition fees of Brooks’ four children.

In February 2023, the creator and performer of “Mabel ‘Madea’ Simmons” donated $750,000 to help low-income seniors in Atlanta after property taxes were increased.

Born in Agege, Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, Bosun Tijani, before his recent transition to public office to serve as the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, was the co-founder and CEO of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB).

Regarded as one of Africa’s leading technology innovation ecosystems, CcHUB, under Tijani’s leadership, acquired Kenya’s iHub in 2019 and launched the CcHUB Design Lab in Kigali, Rwanda in the same year.

With qualifications in both Computer Science and Economics, Tijani is considered one of the technocrats in the cabinet of Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president, helping craft a roadmap for increasing the country’s economy through the digital economy. 

Since leaving office in 2014, former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have, through their foundation, continued to inspire the next generation of world leaders.

The couple, having authored three critically acclaimed memoirs, ‘Becoming,’ ‘The Light We Carry’, and ‘A Promised Land,’ after they left office, continues to be a reconciling voice in addressing some of the world’s problems, from gender bias to women’s education.

The Obama Foundation, which raised a total of $1.1 billion between 2017 and 2022, continues to promote leadership training through various programs offered by the foundation.

In May 2022, Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky donated $100 million to the foundation for the launch of a new scholarship program for students pursuing careers in public services.

The fund aims to support students in their junior and senior years of college with up to $50,000 in financial aid, a $10,000 stipend, and free Airbnb housing to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior years of college.

Serving on the boards of notable firms, including ActivSpace, Cameroon’s first tech incubator providing a conducive environment for the growth of startups, the WHO Foundation, ABAN Angels, and the International Chamber of Commerce, Rebecca Enonchong utilises her wealth of knowledge in the tech world to advance technology in Africa.

Born in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, Enonchong is the founder and CEO of AppsTech and I/O SPACES. 

Since he was appointed Director-General of the World Health Organisation, the first African to hold the position, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has played a major role in contending with three viral diseases: the Kivu Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, COVID-19, and the recent 2022-2023 Mpox outbreak.

Ghebreyesus is a champion of global healthcare, and this commitment has deep roots, tracing back to the loss of his younger brother at the age of four to a preventable disease.

“Our vision is not health for some. It’s not health for most. It’s health for all: rich and poor, able and disabled, old and young, urban and rural, citizen and refugee. Everyone, everywhere,” he said.

Born in Eritrea, at a time when the country was under Ethiopia, Ghebreyesus served as Health Minister for Ethiopia from 2005 to 2012. There, he led a comprehensive reform of the country’s health system, built on the foundation of universal health coverage and the provision of services to all people, even in the most remote areas.

Re-elected unopposed for a second term on May 24, 2022, Ghebreyesus, as the Head of WHO responsible for international public health, is making concerted efforts to prevent further pandemics while proposing the need for universal health coverage.

Kene Ejikeme’s career trajectory as a professional banker and the first African to be promoted to the ranks of partner in Europe in Goldman Sachs’ history is truly inspiring.

Ejikeme, a key leader in the firm’s global banking markets division, which accounted for 75 per cent of the firm’s revenue in 2022, joined Goldman as an intern in 2003. A civil engineer and former rugby professional turned accomplished banker, Ejikeme now serves as the Head of Multi-Asset Platform Sales.

As the sponsor of Goldman Sachs’ EMEA Black Network, the Nigerian-born investment banker is actively contributing to the advancement of black talent by promoting the recruitment and retention of black professionals.

Furthermore, as the leader of another Goldman Sachs initiative, the GS Racial Equity Fund, which provides charitable organisations with funding and technical support to advance racial equity in the UK, Ejikeme is addressing racial injustice, structural inequity, and economic disparity.

Emeka Emembolu’s career in the oil and gas sector began 25 years ago with BP, and in March 2022, he was promoted to Chief of Staff after an accomplished tenure as the company’s Senior Vice President for the North Sea.

Starting his career in the oil sector in 1998 as a Production Engineer, Emembolu swiftly ascended through the ranks, owing to his dedication and hard work. His impressive track record of accomplishments has significantly contributed to BP solidifying its position as one of the world’s largest companies in terms of revenue and profit.

Emembolu’s prior role as the Chief of BP, North Sea Region, was particularly noteworthy for transforming BP’s North Sea business into the safest, most efficient, and most sustainable in the world.

These milestones underscore Emembolu’s commitment to excellence and his pivotal role in shaping BP’s success in the competitive oil and gas industry.

Ola Fadipe, the Senior Director of People Experience at Google, stands as an influential individual in the corporate world. Leading the largest team within Google’s People function, she holds the responsibility of overseeing the hiring process for over 10,000 interns, graduates, professionals, and executives across 35 countries. 

Within an impressive five-year journey at Google, Fadipe ascended to her current position from Senior Director of Talent Acquisition for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Fadipe has actively contributed to initiatives such as the Turning Point Summit, where she collaborated with influential Nigerians like Ngozi Adichie to empower Black Google employees, showcasing her commitment to fostering diversity and empowerment in the workplace.

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, resulting in the loss of 225 million jobs globally, 23-year-old Khaby Lame was among those laid off from his position as a factory worker in Italy.

With limited options, Lame began creating TikTok videos, stunning the world with his short yet relatable ‘Life Hacks’ videos that propelled him into becoming one of the most followed individuals on TikTok, boasting 161.8 million followers.

Transitioning from earning a total of $1,000 a month as a waiter and factory worker to charging over $750,000 per post, Lame unconventional rise to social media fame is an inspiration to content creators.

The news of the sacking of Sam Altman as the CEO of OpenAI, the owners of ChatGPT, caused a stir in today’s world, dominated by conversations about Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Altman, considered one of the most influential individuals in the AI industry, was reinstated as CEO three days after being fired on November 17, 2023, following a petition by 700 out of the 770 total employees at OpenAI. They signed in support of Altman, who was offered a position to lead an advanced AI research team at Microsoft.

Born in Illinois, Chicago, Altman dropped out of Stanford University to co-found Loopt, a location-based social networking mobile application, at the age of 19. Having successfully led other companies, including Y Combinator, Altman’s status as one of the leading figures in AI soared through his role at OpenAI. When OpenAI launched ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence, in November 2022, it became the fastest-growing consumer software application in history, amassing over 100 million users by January 2023 and contributing to the growth of OpenAI’s valuation to $86 billion, according to some estimates.

As the world continues to carefully consider its steps regarding the pros and cons of AI, Altman is undoubtedly one of the central figures in that conversation that could either mar or transform the world in ways never seen before.

In a country where gun-related violence is responsible for over 40,000 deaths in 2023 alone, the activism of Shannon Watts on gun violence prevention in the United States has, over the years, illuminated the need for stricter laws on gun possession.

Her campaign against gun violence started in 2012 after a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut, killing 26 children and educators. She founded Moms Demand Action, an organisation aimed at ending gun violence, which has grown to over six million supporters with chapters in every state in the U.S.

Although school shootings and deaths by guns still remain major problems in the country, there have been some litigations aimed at addressing the menace. In June 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the gun safety bill into law. Also, throughout 2022, state lawmakers and governors enacted at least 51 gun safety laws and blocked 95 percent of the gun lobby’s agenda, an achievement Watts’s organisation recorded as one of their milestones.

Nigeria’s entrepreneur, Tony Elumelu, is an embodiment of inspiration for many young Africans.

Although Elumelu stepped down as the Group Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in 2010, after leading the bank from a single-country banking group to a multinational bank in over 20 countries, he is now notable for his foundation, The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

With over 18,000 beneficiaries, he is a leading champion of entrepreneurship in Africa, turning the dreams of young Africans into reality.

Dr. Ugur Sahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci, a couple deeply committed to finding an end to cancer, shifted their focus to developing an immediate solution for the Covid-19 virus that disrupted human activities in 2020.

The German couple’s extensive research into combatting cancer by leveraging mRNA, the molecule instructing our cells which proteins to build, played a crucial role in the development of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, marketed under the brand name Comirnaty. Türeci, a physician, and Sahin, an oncologist and immunologist, tied the knot in 2008 and co-founded BioNTech, a German biotechnology company specialising in manufacturing active immunotherapies for patient-specific approaches to disease treatment.

Now, the dynamic duo is actively engaged in finding a lasting solution to cancer, stating that cancer vaccines could be available to the public before 2030.

Dimie Ogoina, the President of the Nigerian Infectious Diseases Society, and his team at NDU Teaching Hospital, Bayelsa, where he serves as the Chief Medical Director, diagnosed and managed the first reported case of Mpox (formerly known as Monkey Pox) when the disease resurfaced in Nigeria in 2017 after 40 years.

With 91,000 confirmed cases and 157 fatalities recorded between January 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023, Dr. Ogoina’s documentation of Mpox proved crucial in tracking and mitigating the virus’s spread.

Despite Nigeria witnessing an alarming surge with 820 laboratory-confirmed cases and nine deaths between January 1, 2022, and March 23, 2023, Ogoina remains a foremost expert in comprehending the mutation and spread of the virus.

Zimbabwean-American academic James Manyika became Google’s first Senior Vice President of Technology and Society in April 2023, leveraging his extensive experience in artificial intelligence, robotics, and the intersection of technology with the world’s economy.

With a PhD in AI from Oxford University, Manyika plays a pivotal role in advancing and understanding the evolving industry. At Google, Manyika’s purview encompasses the company’s AI research and products, ranging from climate change and healthcare to entertainment. One such noteworthy AI-powered project is Flood Hub, which forecasts flood risk in vulnerable areas and has expanded its reach to 80 countries.

Recognising the potential of AI for both positive and negative purposes, Manyika is not only a signatory to the Centre for AI Safety on AI Risk but also serves as the vice chair of the National AI Advisory Committee. He was appointed to this position in 2022 to provide advice to the US President and the White House on various issues related to artificial intelligence.

As the Managing Director of Emerging Markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for YouTube, Alex Okosi has played a pivotal role in advancing the growth of African creatives. One notable initiative under his leadership was the introduction of YouTube Black Voices seed funding, which catalysed the success stories of Kagan Tech, Kelechi Anyanwu, Taaooma, and Korty EO. These talented individuals received substantial seed funding amounts, ranging from $20,000 to $50,000, accompanied by dedicated partner support for six months.

The impact of Okosi’s strategic efforts is evident in the significant growth of YouTube channels in the region. The firm reports a remarkable increase, with over 60% of channels now generating seven figures or more in revenue (Naira). Furthermore, the number of channels boasting over 100,000 subscribers has surged by over 50%, and there are now 35 channels with over one million subscribers, representing a 50% increase. Alex Okosi’s commitment to fostering innovation has undeniably elevated the landscape for African content creators on the YouTube platform.

Odunayo Eweniyi, a co-founder of PiggyVest, stands out as one of the most inspirational women in the tech industry in Nigeria. Holding a first-class degree in Computer Engineering, Eweniyi co-founded her initial startup, Push CV, in 2013, the same year she graduated from university.

However, it was PiggyVest, launched in 2016 initially as a savings-only platform but expanded to offer direct investment opportunities to users three years later, that has solidified Eweniyi’s position as one of the prominent leaders in Nigeria’s tech space.

In addition to her role as PiggyVest’s Chief Operations Officer, Eweniyi is a dedicated advocate for gender equality. Her ‘Feminist Coalition’ stands as one of the leading groups working tirelessly to promote equality for women in Nigerian society.

Through her latest venture, FirstCheck Africa, Eweniyi aims to address the funding challenges that women founders often encounter. The initiative involves investing in pre-seed and seed-stage startups with at least one female founder or co-founder.

When Dawid Konotey-Ahulu and his family left Ghana for the UK in 1979 as refugees, the legally trained practitioner turned investment banker would go on to achieve an insurmountable feat that is nothing short of admirable.

First, after 16 years as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn, Konotey-Ahulu co-founded Redington, an independent pension and insurance advisory group with total assets estimated at $500 billion. Three years later, in 2009, Konotey-Ahulu founded Mallowstreet, a $2.4 trillion asset social media platform that connects the pension and insurance industries. With a successful career as an investment banker, he is now seeking ways to help talented black youths stand on their feet in their careers by providing them with the opportunity to intern in the UK’s leading firms across 24 different sectors.

His newest venture, Black Interns, a community-based organisation, aims to place 10,000 young black graduates within five years. Launched in 2021, the platform has provided training opportunities to over 25,000 applicants and created more than 5,000 internships by the end of 2023.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has earned the reputation of being considered one of the world’s renowned economists of the 21st century, whose insight and leadership are helping shape the economies of developing nations, including Nigeria.

From being Nigeria’s first Finance Minister to becoming the first woman and first African to be appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Okonjo-Iweala’s career trajectory and personal achievements are an inspiration to millions of people, particularly in Africa.

As the Director-General of the world’s largest international economic organisation, with 164 member states representing over 98 percent of global trade and global GDP, Okonjo-Iweala oversees the trade of goods and services among participating countries by providing a framework for negotiating trade agreements. These agreements aim to reduce or eliminate tariffs, quotas, and other restrictions.

London-based Zimbabwean billionaire, Strive Masiyiwa, is the founder and executive chairman of international technology groups, Econet Group and Cassava Technologies. However, what has truly set Masiyiwa apart, as he approaches his 62nd birthday on January 29, 2024, is his philanthropy.

Apart from being a signatory to Bill Gates and Warren Buffett’s Giving Pledge initiative, in which wealthy individuals commit to donating part of their fortune to philanthropic causes, Masiyiwa, through his foundation, has significantly impacted education in Zimbabwe.

His foundation, Higherlife (formerly known as Capernaum Trust), established in 1996, has reportedly granted educational scholarships and provided leadership training for over 250,000 young Africans, including orphans.

Using the game of chess, Tunde Onakoya is rescuing homeless children and drug abusers from the streets and slum areas, providing them with scholarships.

The idea of using chess to lift indigent children out of the endless loop of poverty was conceived in 2018, and Onakoya went on to establish Chess In Slums Africa, a non-governmental organisation focused on empowering children from slum communities.

From Oshodi to Mokola in Ibadan, Onakoya has made it a life mission to rekindle hope for the forgotten, the destitute, and the orphaned, sending a resounding message that their dreams are valid and achievable.

Born in Ghana and nurtured in Nigeria, El Anatsui is not simply a contemporary artist; he’s a pioneer, a transformer, and a weaver of stories from what others discard. While his sculptures, like the awe-inspiring art crafted from 10,000+ repurposed bottle caps, have established him as a global force, his impact transcends mere aesthetics.

Anatsui’s genius lies in his ability to elevate the mundane, the discarded, to the realm of artistic fortune. 

But Anatsui is more than just a commentator; he’s a catalyst for change. By transforming waste into art, he challenges our notions of value, forcing us to reconsider what we deem worthy and what we discard. Beyond that, he inspires young artists to see the potential for beauty and resilience in the overlooked, the discarded, and the seemingly insignificant.

Since MTN Nigeria announced Karl Toriola as its CEO in October 2020, and he assumed office in March 2021, the Electronic and Electrical Engineer has successfully steered the company to new heights.

With a customer base of over 70 million, MTN is Nigeria’s leading telecommunications provider, boasting a valuation of more than N5 trillion and standing as the second-largest entity listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Within a year as CEO, Toriola in 2022, led MTN Nigeria to launch its 5G network, marking a significant milestone as the first telecom company in West Africa to achieve this feat.

Susan Li’s meteoric rise in the tech world serves as a testament to her exceptional dedication, and an inspiration to women finding their footing in tech. At just 36, she assumed the role of Meta’s CFO, making her one of the youngest to hold such a pivotal position in an industry where experience is often prized. Susan’s journey began in 2008 at Facebook, now Meta, and her ascent through the ranks reflects her unwavering commitment and expertise in finance.

Prior to her impactful tenure at Meta, Susan honed her skills as an investment banking analyst at Morgan Stanley from 2005 to 2008. Today, she stands as a trailblazer, breaking age stereotypes and inspiring a new generation of leaders.

For over two decades, Bill Gates and Melinda Gates have been household names, synonymous with the tech revolution and Microsoft’s meteoric rise. Beyond their entrepreneurial success, their unwavering commitment to philanthropy has had a tremendous impact on humanity. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, they have become two of the most influential figures in global development, tackling some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.

The duo’s philanthropic journey began in 1994 with a guiding principle focused on tackling poverty, diseases, and providing education for indigent people. With a staggering $67.3 billion endowment as of December 31, 2022, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation stands as a titan in the fight for global equality, access to quality education and healthcare. The Foundation is committed to eradicating preventable diseases like malaria and polio to tackling broader challenges like sanitation and access to clean water.

The polio eradication program, for instance, has seen cases plummet by over 99% since its inception. In addition to this significant milestone, the foundation recently announced an additional $1.2 billion for the total eradication of the virus.
Gates and Malinda married in 1994 and divorced in August 2021.

From portraying a comical fictional president in the highly popular TV series “Servant of the People” to being elected as the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has steered his country through Russia’s invasion, leading intense resistance against total occupation.

Twenty-two months ago, when President Vladimir Putin of Russia initiated the siege against Ukraine in February 2022, Zelenskyy was offered a chance to escape the country by the U.S. He rejected the offer, choosing instead to defend his country at all costs.

Despite Russia having captured over 18 percent of the country and the ongoing nature of the war, Zelenskyy continues to steadfastly defend the sovereignty of Ukraine.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has earned the reputation of being considered one of the world’s renowned economists of the 21st century, whose insight and leadership are helping shape the economies of developing nations, including Nigeria.

From being Nigeria’s first Finance Minister to becoming the first woman and first African to be appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Okonjo-Iweala’s career trajectory and personal achievements are an inspiration to millions of people, particularly in Africa.

As the Director-General of the world’s largest international economic organisation, with 164 member states representing over 98 percent of global trade and global GDP, Okonjo-Iweala oversees the trade of goods and services among participating countries by providing a framework for negotiating trade agreements. These agreements aim to reduce or eliminate tariffs, quotas, and other restrictions.

As Joe Biden prepares to contest for re-election in November 2024, the 46th President of the United States of America relies, amidst plummeting poll ratings, on some of his accomplishments. One of his accomplishments remains that on his first day in office, Joe Biden returned the US to the Paris Climate Change Agreement and has since committed hundreds of billions of dollars to ensure a healthy Earth.

As one of the most influential persons in the world, Biden controls the world’s strongest military force and has used its large economy to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion, while cautioning other countries about the potential consequences of meddling in the Israel-Palestine crisis.

However, retaining that influence lies in some crucial aspects that Americans reckon with, such as the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that includes a substantial increase in funding for roads, bridges, and energy usage. Additionally, Biden’s appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first-ever Black woman to sit on the bench of the US Supreme Court, and the capping of annual drug costs for Medicare holders are pivotal achievements that could solidify his global influence for another four years.

When Queen Elizabeth passed away on September 8, 2022, after a 70-year reign, the world was unsure how King Charles would step into the legacy his mother’s long rule had created.

At 74 when he ascended the throne, King Charles is successfully carving out his own path and legacies.

A dedicated advocate for climate change, King Charles is using his new position to emphasise the need for a sustainable planet. At the recent Climate Change Summit in Dubai, his message, “Some important progress has been made, but it worries me greatly that we remain so dreadfully far off track,” served as a reminder that more efforts are required to protect the Earth from the disastrous effects of climate change.

When Ajay Banga was appointed as the President of the World Bank in May 2023, following his nomination by President Joe Biden, the Indian-born American business executive assumed leadership of the most crucial financial institution in the world.

With an illustrious career spanning Citigroup, Mastercard—where he tripled revenue during his tenure—and his service on the President’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations under the administration of Barack Obama, Banga’s role now entails providing loans and grants to countries to undertake capital projects.

Focusing on climate, food security, and human capital, Banga is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that low and middle-income countries receive the necessary funds to facilitate nation-building, combat climate change, and elevate people out of poverty.

Yoon Suk-Yeol, the 13th President of South Korea, assumed office in March 2022 and has since embarked on an agenda aimed at revitalising the economy, strengthening national security, and charting a new path for South Korea on the global stage.

In what appears to be a demonstration of his military stance, particularly in response to occasional threats from North Korea, Suk-Yeol announced on March 20, 2022, that his presidential office would be located in the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan District, Seoul, instead of the Blue House. This decision marked a departure from the 74-year tradition of the Blue House serving as the official residence of the President. 

Also, he has taken bolder steps to address nuclear threats from neighbouring countries by cultivating alliances, including repairing relationships with Japan and improving South Korea-US relations.

Regarded by many as one of Africa’s charismatic political leaders, Paul Kagame’s accomplishments over his 23-year reign are remarkable, despite the controversy of tampering with the Rwandan constitution to allow him run for office until 2034.

Beginning with his Vision 2020, formulated after leading the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) to victory, and extending to the recent Vision 2050, Kagame’s leadership has positioned the country to become one of the fastest-developing nations in Africa.

When Vision 2020 was conceived in 2002, the Tutsi-born leader aimed to rebuild a nation scarred by a devastating civil war and genocide. Transforming Rwanda from a war-torn country with simmering ethnic tensions into one of Africa’s most peaceful and stable nations, Kagame then set his sights on another ambitious goal—Vision 2050. This vision aims to elevate Rwanda to an Upper-Middle-Income Country by 2035, and ultimately to a High-Income status, achieving a GDP per capita of 12,476 by 2050.

Despite coming to power in 2022 amid allegations of a rigged election, President William Ruto has emerged as a prominent figure not only in East Africa but across the continent as a pan-Africanist.

Recognised as one of the leading advocates for climate change, Ruto aspires to eliminate the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation in Kenya by 2030.

Beyond his commitment to a cleaner and healthier planet, Ruto seems to be setting the pace for a more interconnected Africa that will facilitate trade and bolster the economy of the world’s poorest continent through his visa policy. 

During a climate change conference in Congo-Brazzaville in October, Ruto announced that his administration would abolish all visa requirements for Africans intending to visit Kenya.

When 78-year-old Joseph Boakai is sworn in as Liberia’s President on January 22, 2024, he will become one of the oldest serving presidents in Africa.

To Boakai, who defeated incumbent President George Weah in the tightest poll since the country’s civil war ended, his age is a “blessing”, and he is expected to address some of the challenges the country is facing. Having served as Vice President for 12 years between 2006 and 2018, he is believed to possess a deep understanding of how to govern effectively.

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, Bishop of Rome, and Sovereign of the Vatican City State, remains influential in addressing global issues as one of the prominent figures in Christendom.

Now in his 10th year of reign, some may argue that Pope Francis has strategically implemented reforms that have impacted certain long-held Catholic traditions and doctrines. From affirming that remarried Catholics can “in certain cases” receive the holy sacraments, to stating that “homosexuality is a sin but not a crime,” and most recently, expressing that priests are permitted to bless same-sex couples, Pope Francis seems to have embraced a less conservative stance on some contemporary realities compared to his predecessors.

However, beyond matters of religion and doctrine, Pope Francis is a vocal advocate for peace, addressing climate change, and combating poverty.

Aliko Dangote, one of Africa’s wealthiest individuals, is an industrialist. A business leader, whose recent foray into constructing the world’s largest single-train refinery is seen as a pivotal step towards helping Nigeria overcome its dependence on imported refined petroleum.

Commissioned in May 2023, the Dangote Refinery has already received over six million barrels of crude, as it finalises efforts to commence crude refining by January 2024.

The 650,000 barrel-a-day facility, projected to produce 27 million litres of diesel, 11 million litres of kerosene, and 9 million litres of jet fuel at full capacity, will not only generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for Nigerians but is also expected to alleviate the recurring issue of petrol scarcity in the country.

Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the first ruler in a succession of three Qatari leaders from the Al-Thani family to ascend to power without a coup, is positioning Qatar as a nation capable of having a significant presence not only in the Arab League but also on the global stage.

Through sports, initially with the acquisition of Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and subsequently by hosting the 2023 FIFA World Cup, where his administration reportedly invested $200 billion in infrastructure, Hamad Al-Thani is transforming sports into another of Qatar’s significant investments.

While acknowledged as one of the most influential Muslims globally, Hamad Al-Thani is perceived by many as an authoritarian leader with limited regard for human rights or freedom of the press.

Sundar Pichai, one of the world’s foremost business executives with Indian roots, has a career narrative and a pattern of success that epitomises dedication, hard work, and focus—ascending from product management to the CEO of one of the world’s most valuable companies.

As the CEO of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, Pichai oversees the operations of the firm whose products, including Google Maps, Google Chrome, Google Drive, and Gmail, are utilised by billions of users relying on these tools for business, event planning, or learning new skills on YouTube.

With the increased investment in artificial intelligence (AI) across industries, Alphabet Inc., self-described as an ‘AI-first company,’ is unsurprisingly at the forefront of developing new AI products.

From Google Bard, a generative chatbot similar to ChatGPT, to Gemini, launched on December 6, 2023, Pichai aims to harness AI to unlock fresh opportunities for people.

While some assert that Xi Jinping has cultivated a cult of personality around himself since assuming the presidency of China in 2013, the leader of the world’s second-largest economy is regarded as the central figure in China’s notable transformation.

Through his economic policies, China has experienced substantial growth, marked by an increased GDP per capita and the uplifting of 100 million people out of poverty from 2012 to 2023.

Jinping’s foreign policy approach seems to attract new friends to the country. Through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Jinping is expanding China’s global influence by providing African countries with loans for infrastructural development.

Since assuming office as Nigeria’s 16th President after a contentious election, Bola Tinubu has introduced economic reforms that his administration deems necessary to boost the economy of Africa’s most populous nation.

On his first day as president, immediately following his inaugural speech, Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies, a regime of 50 years that cost the nation N4 trillion in 2022 alone. Shortly afterwards, he standardised the country’s exchange rate and suspended the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who has been in detention ever since, facing multiple charges.

While these reforms have led to a surge in inflation to an 18-year high and pushed more people below the poverty line, the former governor of Lagos insists that it is a necessary sacrifice for long-term economic s

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s ascension to the Supreme Court is not just a historical footnote – it’s a thunderclap echoing through the halls of justice. Her appointment as the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court ignited a beacon of hope for millions.

Jackson’s journey is an inspiration in itself. From growing up in Miami to graduating from Harvard Law, she defied expectations at every turn. But beyond her individual achievements, Jackson’s presence on the court represents a monumental shift for America. Her presence is a powerful message to young girls, especially Black girls, who can now see themselves reflected in the highest chambers of power.

On October 25, 2018, when the seasoned diplomat Sahle-Work Zewde became the first woman to assume the presidency of Ethiopia since 1930, it cast a ray of hope over the East African nation and served as an inspiration to women across Africa.

Having served in various diplomatic capacities, including contributing to peace-building efforts in conflict-prone nations such as the Central African Republic during her tenure with the United Nations, Zewde is widely perceived as an influential figure capable of pacifying and negotiating an end to the Tigray War.

By November 2022, commendable progress had been made after Zewde’s calls for “negotiations without any conditions” in October were heeded by the Ethiopian government.

In the realm of gender empowerment, Zewde, through the Office of the President of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA), is spearheading a new generation of Ethiopian women leaders with the aim of addressing the gender gap prevalent in many African countries.

A woman of many firsts, Samia Suluhu Hassan has defied numerous odds to ascend Tanzania’s political ladder.

From becoming the first female Vice President of the East African nation to becoming the first female President after the death of John Magufuli in 2021, Hassan could easily be described as one of Africa’s most influential women.

Although, as Vice President, Hassan served under an administration that restricted free speech and political rallies, since assuming the helm of affairs, the mother of four has taken a more democratic approach in her governance.

From lifting the ban on political rallies to promoting freedom of speech, Hassan has enjoyed growing popularity in the country, which could earn her re-election if she decides to contest in the 2025 presidential election.

Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler and Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, wields enormous influence beyond the Kingdom.

Described as a nationalist with a liberal stance on economic issues, bin Salman’s authoritarian-led government, although a concern for human rights campaigners, has been strategic in restructuring Saudi Arabia’s economy. With Vision 2030, bin Salman has set goals to diversify the oil-based economy, including expanding exports of non-oil products, sports, and tourism.

Amidst growing influence in the Arab League, bin Salman’s foreign policies, particularly his perceived friendliness with Russia in the face of the Russian-Ukraine crisis, have strained his relationship with the US, UK, and other Western-aligned countries.

British-Nigerian podcaster and investor, Steven Bartlett, is considered one of England’s most talented young entrepreneurs, disrupting various industries. With investments in blockchain and the health and wellness space, including Huel – one of the UK’s fastest-growing international e-commerce companies in 2021 – Bartlett is an accomplished investor, consistently exploring what is next to be accomplished.

Also, as the host of one of the UK’s leading podcasts, “The Diary of a CEO,” Bartlett engages with some of the world’s most influential people, experts, and renowned thinkers in soulful conversations that allow them to unburden their life struggles, wins, and failures. 

Barlett,  whose guests on the podcast have included Gary Neville, Daniel Ek, and Jada Pinkett Smith, achieved global recognition by ranking among Spotify’s top 10 most popular podcasts in 2023. Notably, Bartlett’s podcast partnered with His Majesty’s Prison Service to distribute “The Diary of a CEO” podcast via their in-cell technology, aiming to educate and inspire young adults. 

Beyond his transformative podcast conversations, Bartlett recently collaborated with Vodafone Business to launch Digital SOS, aiming to assist small businesses in embracing digital technology.

Through his two books, “The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life” – a #1 Sunday Times bestseller published in 2023 – and the 2021 Sunday Times bestseller “Happy Sexy Millionaire,” Bartlett consistently inspires the next generation of young innovators.

In her role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Bank of England, the UK’s Central Bank, Afua Kyei has played a crucial role since her appointment in 2019. She has guided the country through three significant events: Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Kyei has also been credited with overseeing various reforms, including updating the Bank’s funding mechanism and supervising the UK’s Real-Time Gross Settlement System, which processes more than £750 billion in payments daily as a member of the Executive Board.

Occupying a prominent position within the UK’s financial institution, Kyei serves as an inspiration to others, particularly women and people of colour. In 2021, Kyei was named the Co-executive Sponsor of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), demonstrating her commitment to helping the Bank of England achieve the necessary change in diversity.

As the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in history and currently the oldest player, LeBron James, who turned 39 years old on December 30, is still performing at an elite level, averaging more than 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists per game in the ongoing 2023 season.

Considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, on par with Michael Jordan, the Los Angeles Lakers player continues to achieve new heights at an age when many other players might be contemplating retirement. He is often regarded as the ‘face of the NBA,’ and his deliberate investment in his health and fitness serves as an inspiration to young players.

Off the court, James’s legacy is as remarkable as his on-court records. Through his foundation, the LeBron James Family Foundation, he dedicates time, resources, and passion to effecting change for kids and families in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. This is achieved through a focus on education and co-curricular educational initiatives.

One of Nigeria’s tech ‘Unicorns’ Flutterwave, since it was started by Olugbenga Agboola and Iyinoluwa Samuel Aboyeji, has helped make cross-border payment for many African enterprises and small businesses possible. 

Agboola, prior to founding Flutterwave in 2016, was an application engineer at Paypal, and in Product Management at Google, while Aboyeji had co-founded Andela, a global job placement network for software developers. 

Flutterwave, valued at $3 billion, is Africa’s leading payment system used by over one million businesses and two million individuals to send or receive money or sell their goods and services online.

Naomi Osaka’s journey to the top ranks is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. When Osaka defeated Serena Williams in 2018, the Japanese star would go on to surpass the tennis legend twice, solidifying her place as one of the tennis players expected to carry on the legacy of Williams following her retirement.

However, despite being a four-time Grand Slam singles champion with two Australian Open and two US Open titles, Osaka’s on-court dominance has been interrupted due to personal challenges, including taking some time off to prioritise her mental health—a decision that sparked conversations about the need for more athletes to speak up about their struggles.

But Osaka’s off-court personality makes the 26-year-old remarkable. Born in Japan to a Haitian-American father and a Japanese mother, she lends her voice to the Black Lives Matter campaign. As she returned to the Australian Open in January 2024 after taking a break to give birth and care for her newborn, Shai, Osaka is set to pick up where she left off, while lending her voice for the need for the introduction of paid parental leave in the US .

Considered one of the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T) to ever play the game of tennis, Serena Williams retired from her passion in September 2023. However, her retirement has not diminished her spirit to break records, challenge herself, make an impact, and inspire others.

In addition to her tennis career, Williams has diversified her ventures, launching “S by Serena,” a clothing line, and “For Serena,” her jewellery and fashion brand. She also initiated Serena Ventures, a venture firm aimed at funding companies that promote the emergence of businesses led by women and people of colour. Williams, through these endeavours, exemplifies resilience.

Beyond her role as a highly successful businesswoman, Williams, a mother of two, is also a philanthropist.

Her commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond the tennis court, showcasing her dedication to empowering underrepresented communities and promoting diversity in the business world. Serena Williams, even in retirement, continues to be a force for positive change and a source of inspiration for many.

From dropping out of school to pursuing her dream of playing football, Asisat Oshoala defied the odds to become Africa’s most decorated female player of all time, winning a record six Africa Women’s Footballer of the Year awards.

Oshoala is a woman of many firsts—she was the first African player to score a goal in a UEFA Women’s Champions League final, the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League, the first African woman to win the Primera División’s Pichichi Trophy, and the first African woman nominated for the Ballon d’Or in 2022.

The on-field success of the Nigerian-born Barcelona striker has not only inspired young women pursuing a career in sports but has also drawn attention to women’s football in Africa.

For over two decades, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke has maintained a top spot in Africa’s music industry, producing hit songs and presenting the African story to the world.

But more than ever, his latest album, ‘Timeless,’ released on March 31, 2023, has propelled the music star to new heights. For the first time in his musical career, Davido received his first Grammy award nominations in the Best Global Music Album, Best African Music Performance, and Best Global Music Performance categories. The track ‘Unavailable’ from the album has been praised by some notable individuals, including Rihanna, and former US President Barack Obama, who declared it one of their favourite songs of the year. ‘Timeless’ broke continental records, including the record for the most first-day streams ever for an African album with over 50 million plays. It also recorded the highest number of first-day album sales by an African artist, selling over one million copies on its release day.

Beyond music, Davido is also making a name for himself through his contributions to good causes. In July 2023, his foundation, the David Adeleke Foundation (DAF), announced a donation of N237 million to 424 orphanage homes in Nigeria.

Novak Djokovic, arguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time, wields notable influence on and off the tennis court. Djokovic boasts an unparalleled record with 24 Grand Slam Men’s Singles titles, a feat that places him atop the all-time list. Notably, he holds the record for the most Australian Open titles, having clinched the prestigious trophy 10 times.

But the Serbian tennis star has had as much influence off the pitch with his commitment to making a positive impact in the world. Through the Novak Djokovic Foundation, he has dedicated himself to providing every child in Serbia with the opportunity to receive a quality preschool education. 

Since its establishment in 2007, the foundation has built 55 preschools, supported over 8,000 parents, trained 2,237 teachers, and invested 15 million Euros. This initiative has touched the lives of over 50,000 children, showcasing Djokovic’s dedication to education and community development.

Trevor Noah, the renowned comedian from South Africa, has been humorously shining a spotlight on racial bias, injustice, human rights abuses, and critiquing government shortcomings for years.

Before stepping down as the host of The Daily Show in December 2022, Noah was notable for using the platform to lend his voice to issues, including controversies that other comedians often shy away from.

In addition to hosting The Daily Show, Noah has emceed the Grammy Awards three consecutive times and is set to return for the fourth on February 4, 2024, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, US.

Beyond his role as a comedian, Noah is a philanthropist who gives back to the community through his foundation, the Trevor Noah Foundation. The foundation mobilises the global community to empower youth with access to high-quality education.

In 2002, Herbert Wigwe and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede led the acquisition of a small bank, Access Bank, and transformed it into one of Nigeria’s largest and most valuable banks, boasting a total asset of about N15 trillion.

The leadership of the duo in elevating Access Bank to a top-tier position, with subsidiaries in Mozambique, Zambia, Congo, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, is considered exemplary in Nigeria’s financial sector. 

Aig-Imoukhuede served as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank from 2002 until December 2013, when the University of London-trained Financial Economist, Wigwe, took over and steered the bank to its current status for 10 years before stepping down in May 2022.

When delving into the realm of record-breaking concerts post-Covid, it’s impossible to overlook Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour.’ The tour, which sold tickets over a 12-month period, generated an estimated $1.04 billion in gross ticket sales, according to the live-music trade publication Pollstar.

It became the first tour to hit the billion-dollar milestone with a projection to reach $2 billion by the next eligibility box-office year, considering that the pop star has added more shows worldwide. According to Pollstar, the Eras Tour sold an estimated 4.35 million tickets from 60 shows, with merchandise sales at approximately $200 million during that period.

Alongside breaking tour records, the Grammy-winning artist is also shattering streaming records with every album release, as her ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ set a Spotify record, making her the artist with the most streams in a single day in the streaming service’s history with over 11 million streams.

In 17 years, Taylor Swift has garnered an audience across the board that has enabled her to break record after record, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Silver is now Beyoncé’s colour, thanks to the Renaissance tour, and it’s all because she redefined concert experience with the record-breaking tour. In July 2022, Beyoncé released her Grammy-nominated album ‘Renaissance,’ an album that started a movement that was significant enough to boost the American economy by $4.5 billion, comparable to what the 2008 Olympics did for Beijing, according to The New York Times.

The world tour, which took place across 10 countries in 39 cities, offered employment to over 304 people, with about 2.7 million fans in attendance who came in iconic silver-themed outfits that created viral moments on social media throughout the tour. 

Beyoncé’s influence attracted A-list celebrities across concert stops, from Dua Lipa to Selena Gomez to Frank Ocean and Zendaya. She treated her audience to a set of hits, intricate performances, and top-notch production with iconic looks from over 35 fashion brands while singing 34 songs per night. Live Nation announced that the tour earned more than $579 million worldwide.

During a time when the world came to a halt, tours were cancelled, award shows shifted to virtual spaces, and musicians could only connect with their audience through social media, BTS took it a step further with their online concerts. Their productions rivalled some of the biggest tours ever, and the performance quality was so immersive that they trended across social media for days. The South Korean seven-member band took their concert experience to a whole new level.

The concert, called Bang Bang Con: The Live, broke the Guinness World Record for the most viewers for a music concert livestream, with 756,000 fans from over 100 countries tuning into the online performance. According to their label, Big Hit, the attendance was equivalent to 15 shows at a 50,000-seat stadium and was the largest audience for a paid virtual concert.

A few months later, they surpassed this record with another virtual concert, Map Of The Soul On:E, selling 993,000 tickets across 191 different countries and regions during their two-day online concert in 2020. Between then and 2022, the group broke more concert records. Billboard revealed that BTS’ Permission To Dance On Stage, their first live audience concert in years, earned an impressive total of $33.3 million while breaking box office records, with the show’s live play bringing in $32.6 million.

It’s often easier to neglect the impact coaches have on their team, but Josep ‘Pep’ Guardiola has made it difficult not to notice the brilliance of his coaching skills and what he has accomplished in the game of football.

Before coming to England in 2016, some pundits made the case that his dominance in the Bundesliga was possible because of the relative lack of competitiveness compared with the Premier League. However, since coming to England, the Spanish coach has broken records and dominated the league, winning five Premier League titles.

In the 2022-2023 season, Guardiola won his second continental treble when he took home the Champions League, the Premier League, and the FA Cup titles. Considered one of the greatest managers of all time, Guardiola holds the records for the most consecutive league games won in La Liga, the Bundesliga, and the Premier League.

Argentina’s superstar footballer and arguably the greatest player to have ever graced the game, Lionel Messi, has etched his name in the sands of time by winning a record eighth Ballon d’Or award in October 2023 at the age of 36. Despite achieving all that a player can dream of, including 34 club titles during his tenure with Barcelona, winning the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup for Argentina might be considered his greatest achievement.

Now serving as the captain of Inter Miami, the journey of this remarkable player from a young talent in Rosario, Argentina, to an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner serves as a beacon of hope for dreamers worldwide.

Inspired by her daughter’s interest in learning computer programming, Kimberly Bryant founded Black Girls Code with the ambitious goal of launching one million girls of colour in tech by 2040.

Since 2011, Black Girls Code has collaborated with schools, organisations, and individuals to provide in-person and virtual training for girls and women of colour between the ages of 7 and 25.

For instance, last year, Black Girls Code teamed up with Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Ciara on a project called the Build A Beat Challenge. The initiative aimed to challenge students aged 13-18 to code a song for a chance to meet the superstar and win cool tech prizes.

Mohammed Dewji, Africa’s youngest billionaire, serves as the President and CEO of the MeTL Group of Companies. The Group was initially established as a small trading firm by his father in the 1970s.

A savvy businessman, Dewji in the early 2000s, strategically acquired companies at favourable prices when the Tanzanian government decided to privatise loss-making entities. Joining his father’s company in 1999, he transformed it into Tanzania’s largest privately owned conglomerate. Formerly involved in politics as a Member of the Tanzanian Parliament for Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) in Singida, Dewji made the decision to step down from politics, focusing his efforts on business. Additionally, he is a dedicated philanthropist, allocating portions of his wealth to charitable causes.

His foundation, the Mo Dewji Foundation, established in 2014, is renowned for addressing community challenges such as access to water, education, and basic healthcare. For instance, on December 19, 2023, the Mo Dewji Foundation donated 100,000,000 TZS ($39,666) to support clinical and non-clinical programs for children at the Tumaini la Maisha Centre.

On October 22, 2022, Giorgia Meloni made history as Italy’s first-ever female Prime Minister. Her ascent to the pinnacle of one of the most powerful nations, though commendable, was met with fears that the far-right politician might adopt a more pro-Putin stance or make moves to exit the European Union. However, under her leadership, Italy has maintained its support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing war.

Facing regional tensions, Meloni, a seasoned politician since her teenage years, has largely defiled political pundits who suggested she would lose control of the country, especially given her party’s roots in post-World War II Italian fascism.

Despite grappling with domestic issues, including finding a lasting solution to the immigration crisis, Meloni’s astute leadership has positioned her as one of the influential female world leaders shaping critical issues.

Although trained as a lawyer, Christine Lagarde is a trailblazer for women in global finance and policy making. Serving as the first female president of the European Central Bank since 2019, Lagarde is responsible for overseeing the management of the euro and monetary policy in the Eurozone of the European Union (EU).

Before her appointment as the president of the European Central Bank, Lagarde held several pivotal roles in the world’s financial sector. Between 2007 and 2011, the Paris-born leader served as the Minister of the Economy, Finance, and Industry, making her not only the first female to hold the position in France but also in the G7 countries. Upon leaving France’s cabinet, she joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and served as the 11th Managing Director for eight years.

In a recent op-ed marking the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Euro since its first issuance in 1999, Lagarde, along with other EU leaders, wrote about efforts to expand the Euro to other European nations.

“With several countries currently in the process of joining the EU, we must retain our capacity to act decisively. Enlarging and deepening are not mutually exclusive. But enlargement may require changes to how the EU is organised.”