Mo Abudu has caught the world’s attention. As the daughter of Nigerian parents living in the UK, the media mogul was intent on creating African content that would travel outside of the African continent. Thus, in 2020 her company EbonyLife Media became the first African media company to sign a multi-title deal with the streaming giant Netflix and will bring previously unheard stories to a wider audience. Abudu was motivated to alter the narrative around Africa to a more positive one and to create content that would make African women in particular feel better about themselves.

Your company, EbonyLife Media, has produced some of the biggest TV and box-office successes in Nigeria’s history. Talk about how significant it is for you not only to tell African stories and in particular African women’s stories?

At EbonyLife Media, we do our utmost, to write the kind of stories we’d like to see in history. We’re developing Dahomey Amazon Warriors, with Sony Pictures Television – a true story about a women’s battalion who served for over 200 years in present-day Benin. It’s stories like these that will make African women feel good about themselves.

EbonyLife became the first African media company to sign a multi-title film and TV deal with Netflix. Talk about how important that is for your company?

It’s important for us to have companies like Netflix who see the worth of Black-relevant stories and who help grow the industry through production commissions. We, as EbonyLife Media truly value Netflix as a partner.

Talk about the importance of bringing African content to the world.

Our mission is to be Africa’s leading entertainment brand that showcases the best of Africa for the world to enjoy. We’ve expanded to three continents because as Nigerians and Africans, we should see ourselves as world citizens and our storytelling, locations, and networks should extend to every corner of the globe.

The film industry in Nigeria is booming. Why do you think that is? What is it that Nollywood has to offer?

EbonyLife Media has gone global, we’ve signed deals with incredible partners including Sony, BBC, Lionsgate, Netflix, Willpacker Productions, Lionsgate, AMC, and Will and Jada Smith’s Westbrook Studios. In this way, we can bring African stories to the world. EbonyLife Media is personified by a CAN-DO spirit and we create innovative content, initiatives, and entertainment experiences from a fresh and positive African perspective.

You are based both in Lagos and in London. Do you think that the fact that you have several perspectives on the industry helps?

We have offices based in Lagos, London, and Los Angeles. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling with our expansion, as we continue the development and production of telling stories about the global Black experience. Travelling and exposure are like education, it broadens your perspective. Being exposed to diverse markets has also opened different opportunities.

You launched Moments with Mo in 2006 and you have come very far since then. If you were to analyze why your career blossomed like that, what would you conclude?

Moments with Mo has a very special place in my heart, it was the foray into the media space. After Moments with Mo, rather than starting a production entity facilitating the creation of content for other platforms, I set my sights on wanting to produce shows for my own TV channel, and with that, we launched EbonyLife TV in 2013. I had the vision to create a platform that would showcase an alternate view of Africa, a better view of Africa. I’ve always maintained a path of growth, continual invention, and expansion. Think big and constantly create. As I’ve always said, “If you can think it, you can do it.”

What has been the main obstacle for you in your career?

I’ve had obstacles come my way that have shaken me at the time, making me feel quite dispirited. I’d like to encourage other women that when those obstacles arise, don’t despair. Take a deep breath and reinvent – you’ll be amazed how you can turn those obstacles around and use them to trigger new ideas and find new opportunities that will propel your business or career in a new direction you never thought possible. It’s often these moments that open whole new worlds. 

What would you tell your 8-year-old self?

As a Black person, and as a woman, you will spend your whole life striving for relevance and representation in media and society. The progress is slow, but it will happen if you keep pushing for change, telling your story, and creating opportunities.

Do you think women have a harder time in the world of business?

Progress has been made but there is still sexism and gender bias at play, the world over, and this affects women’s progression in their pay, in being promoted and holding executive roles. The higher up the ladder you go, the fewer women you’ll find. Furthermore, women of color are even more underrepresented. Then there are the emotional aspects which I’ve experienced. Because I’m driven and not afraid to negotiate, I’m often viewed as bossy, ‘bitchy’ or aggressive but men doing the same would be praised for being decisive and ambitious. I am a feminist, through and through, but of course, this doesn’t mean I dislike men. It’s about equality and respecting me as you would your male counterpart.

Which achievement are you the proudest of?

My children, Temidayo and Koyejo. My family is the center of my world. I now have two adorable grandchildren, TJ and Ireoluwa and I am very blessed to have recently celebrated my mother’s 80^th birthday. My work of course brings me great pleasure and I’m most proud of the growth of EbonyLife Media as one of Africa’s leading media conglomerates. We’ve signed many deals with international networks and production partners. I was particularly proud when, last year, Harvard Business School honored EbonyLife Media as a case study for its MBA students. 

What does Women’s History Month mean to you? Do you celebrate it?

I think it’s great to have a commemorative month, it’s a reminder and makes people think, however, every month is a woman’s month for me. I’ve always been passionate about uplifting women. It’s become a subconscious driver for me. Every day, in my every action, I put women forward. I predominantly have women as my collaborators and as executives in my team.