Media mogul Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media, has been appointed to the board of directors of the International Emmys.
The esteemed organisation, with a rich history dating back to the early days of global television, recognises and celebrates excellence in programming from around the world.
“It is an honour to contribute to the International Emmys’ mission of fostering international collaboration and showcasing the very best in television,” said Abudu. “In this role, I’m particularly interested in leveraging the platform to elevate Africa’s burgeoning creative economy. By advocating for increased representation of African productions and talent, I believe the International Emmys can play a crucial role in spotlighting Africa’s unique stories and propelling its creative industries onto the global stage.”
Mo Abudu is a powerhouse in the African media landscape. As CEO of EbonyLife Media, she oversees a diverse media production company including EbonyLife Films, EbonyLife Studios, the EbonyLife Creative Academy, and EbonyLife Place, Nigeria’s first luxury entertainment resort. Under her leadership, EbonyLife Media has produced some of the highest-grossing Nollywood blockbusters and secured production collaborations with international studios like Netflix, Sony, and the BBC.
Abudu is a relentless advocate for African storytelling. She recently launched “Blood Sisters,” Netflix’s first Nigerian Original series, which garnered international acclaim. Additionally, her adaptation of Professor Wole Soyinka’s play “Elesin Oba, The King’s Horseman” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival 2022.
A champion for inclusion, Abudu partnered with Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures to empower talent from Africa and its diaspora. She is also a recent Executive Fellow of Harvard Business School and the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University.
Abudu’s dedication to the industry extends beyond production. In February 2024, she made history as the guest programmer for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, curating the groundbreaking “Echoes of Africa” series – the first-ever showcase of African cinema at the institution.
Mo Abudu’s numerous achievements were recently recognised when she was named Forbes Africa’s Business Woman of the Year on International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2024.
Her appointment to the International Emmys board signifies a new chapter in her illustrious career and a powerful platform to elevate African storytelling on the global stage.
Further solidifying her position as a content powerhouse, Abudu launched “Wrath and Revenge,” a gripping political drama series set in Northern Nigeria, on Netflix in December 2023. Her commitment to diverse storytelling continues with “Oloture: The Journey,” a new series that serves as a sequel to the original hit film, set to debut on Netflix soon.
Abudu recently wrapped production on “Baby Farm,” another Netflix drama series exploring the dark underbelly of a seemingly reputable NGO.
This captivating tale follows a young pregnant girl who unknowingly entrusts her unborn twins to the organisation, only to discover a horrifying truth.
Looking ahead, Mo Abudu is poised to commence production on a co-written project with Idris Elba titled “Dust to Dreams.” Elba will also be directing this project, with the iconic musician Seal taking on the lead role. This collaboration promises to be a powerful and captivating addition to Abudu’s already impressive slate.
Mo Abudu’s relentless drive and dedication to African storytelling are a true inspiration. Her work is not only entertaining audiences worldwide, but also creating opportunities and propelling the African creative industry onto the global stage.
