Mo Abudu and Kwame Onwuachi have been honored on TIME Magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 most influential people. Abudu, a trailblazer in African media, was recognized as a “Leader,” while Onwuachi, a celebrated chef, was named an “Innovator” for his transformative role in modern cuisine and Black representation.
Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu and Nigerian-American chef Kwame Onwuachi have been named to TIME magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, celebrating their pioneering work in storytelling and culinary innovation.
Unveiled on Wednesday, the prestigious list, divided into six categories including Leaders, Titans, Innovators, Artists, Pioneers, and Icons, spotlights individuals shaping the global narrative in bold and transformative ways.
Abudu, known for her groundbreaking contributions to African cinema, was honored in the “Leaders” category. Her recognition comes on the heels of her $50 million Afro Film Fund launch, a project designed to empower African filmmakers and amplify underrepresented voices. British actor Idris Elba, who wrote her tribute, praised Abudu for her “unrelenting drive” and “visionary approach” to storytelling that challenges stereotypes and reshapes the continent’s image on screen.
“Anyone looking to understand the future of global filmmaking should look at what Mo is doing in Africa,” Elba noted.
Chef Kwame Onwuachi, listed as an “Innovator,” has garnered acclaim for fusing personal history and cultural heritage into fine dining. Raised in the Bronx and inspired by his West African roots, Onwuachi has become a trailblazer in the culinary world. Actress Keke Palmer lauded him as a chef “whose creativity and resilience have opened doors for Black chefs worldwide.”
Onwuachi’s newest venture, Dogon, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant in Washington, D.C., reflects his commitment to telling stories through food—stories that have often been excluded from the mainstream culinary narrative.
