Ezekwesili Gets International Anti-corruption Lifetime Achievement Award in Qatar 

Okonjo-Iweala, Mo Abudu listed among Forbes’ most powerful women

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

A former Vice President of the World Bank and co-founder of Transparency International (TI), Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, was yesterday honoured with the international anti-corruption excellence award in the  ‘lifetime achievement’ category in Doha, Qatar.

Ezekwesili, globally renowned as a public policy leader and anti-corruption reformer with decades of experience in institutional transformation across Africa and internationally was a  joint recipient the ruler of Qatar,  Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

A statement sent to THISDAY noted that the award recognised Ezekwesili’s sustained leadership in transparency reforms, public sector accountability, and values-driven governance.

It stated that her work spans national reform efforts, multilateral institutions, and the building of next-generation leadership platforms, including the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) and Human Capital Africa.

“The jury of the international anti-corruption excellence award recognised Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili as a joint recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, in acknowledgment of her exceptional and sustained contribution to the advancement of transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity in public life.

“Over several decades, Ezekwesili has demonstrated rare moral courage and policy leadership in environments where anti-corruption reform is often met with resistance and personal cost. Her work has combined principled advocacy with practical institution-building, contributing to reforms in public financial management, extractive sector governance, education systems, and global transparency norms,” the statement added.

According to the release, through her service in national government, leadership within multilateral institutions, and the founding of platforms dedicated to developing ethical public leadership, she has consistently advanced the belief that corruption is not inevitable, and that societies prosper when public power is exercised in service of citizens.

The international anti-corruption excellence award, organised in support of the UNODC by the Secretariat of the International Anti-Corruption Excellence is chaired by United Nations Special Advocate for the Prevention of Corruption and Chairman of the High-Level Award Committee, Dr Ali Bin Fetais Al Marri.

According to the Director, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Centre/Head of Secretariat of the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, Dr Yasser Refaie, Ezekwesili’s nomination had undergone an independent and rigorous review by both the Assessment Advisory Board and the High-Level Award Committee, and found to exemplify the values, expertise and integrity that the award represents.

Speaking on the recognition, Ezekwesili noted that the fight against corruption is inherently collective, explaining that it also involves building institutions.

She said: “This honour belongs to all citizens and reformers who insist that public power must serve the public good. Anti-corruption work is not about individuals, but about building institutions and norms that outlive any one person.”

The award is regarded globally as a benchmark recognition for principled leadership and sustained impact in the fight against corruption.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and media mogul, Mo Abudu, have been listed among Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women for 2025, highlighting the growing impact of both Nigerian women in global trade and media.

The list, published on the magazine’s website, recognises women who hold significant influence in business, politics, culture, and global leadership.

Aside from Okonjo-Iweala and Abudu, other global figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who emerged number one as well as European Central Bank President, Christine Lagarde, who emerged number two , were also mentioned.

Others were Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, who was listed as number three, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was number five as well as Namibia’s Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who ranked 79th.

Forbes listed Okonjo-Iweala, who is the current DG of the WTO as 92nd. Okonjo-Iweala is the first woman and first African to hold the position, which she assumed in March 2021. According to Forbes, Okonjo-Iweala is an economist and international development professional with more than 30 years experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America.

Besides, she previously served two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister from 2003 to 2006 and 2011 to 2015 and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006. She also chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has “immunised more than 760 million children globally.”

Okonjo-Iweala holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The 71-year-old mother of four is recognised for her belief in the power of trade to lift developing countries out of poverty and promote sustainable development.

On the other hand, Mo Abudu, who was ranked 98th, is a media entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of EbonyLife Media. She launched EbonyLife TV in 2006. The network now airs in more than 49 countries, including the UK and the Caribbean.

Forbes said she helped EbonyLife secure major partnership deals with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks, and Netflix, the first African media company to sign a multi-title film and TV agreement with the streaming giant.

In November 2025, the company launched a new digital platform, EbonyLife ON Plus, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Born in London, Abudu spent part of her childhood in Nigeria with her grandmother before returning to the UK.

In entertainment, Kim Kardashian, who was named as number  71, made the list after raising $225 million for Skims at a $5 billion valuation and launching NikeSKIMS with Nike.