How Mo Abudu Built a Media Empire At 40

Mo Abudu Gets Candid About Her Journey and Why It’s Never Too Late to Dream Big

Media mogul and filmmaker Mo Abudu has opened up about her two-decade journey in media, hospitality, and entertainment in a powerful Instagram post that has resonated widely across social media. In the reflective post, Abudu shared key milestones of her career, aiming to motivate and inspire others particularly women to embrace bold dreams regardless of age or background.

It’s not every day that someone so accomplished pulls back the curtain and shares the raw, honest truth behind the success. But that’s exactly what media mogul Mo Abudu did and it’s the kind of motivation that lingers. She revealed that she began her career in media and hospitality at the age of 40, with no prior experience. Armed with only “passion, purpose, and faith,” she took her first steps into uncharted territory and has since built one of the most influential African-owned media empires.

Here’s a glimpse into the legacy she’s built, decade by decade:

At age 40, she launched Protea Hotel, Oakwood Park, the first purpose-built Protea Hotel in Nigeria. In the same year, she birthed Moments with Mo, Africa’s first syndicated daily talk show, which later evolved into the Moments franchise with co-hosts from across the continent. Her work continued with the launch of EbonyLife Tv, a global African entertainment channel that produced hit shows such as The Spot, Castle & Castle, EL Now, Desperate Housewives Africa, and The Governor. 

She then transitioned into filmmaking through EbonyLife Films, debuting with the critically acclaimed FIFTY and following up with some of Nigeria’s highest-grossing films including The Wedding Party, Chief Daddy, Your Excellency, and Oloture.

At age 53, she launched EbonyLife Place Lagos, Nigeria’s first luxury entertainment resort, a dazzling blend of hospitality and creative experiences, housing The White Orchid Hotel, Turaka, Jinja, and EbonyLife Cinemas.

In her age of 56, The EbonyLife Creative Academy was founded to nurture Africa’s next generation of filmmakers and creatives, offering world-class training in storytelling and screen production.

At 58 years, Under Mo Abudu Films, she wrote and directed Her Perfect Life and Iyawo Mi, two powerful shorts that gained international recognition and were considered for the Oscars, screened at Cannes Short Film Corner, HollyShorts, and Martha’s Vineyard.

Then, at 60, she did something truly historic: opening EbonyLife Place London, the UK’s first African-owned cinema and creative hub. A space to celebrate African stories not just in Nigeria, but on a global stage.

In her post, Mo Abudu credited her journey to divine guidance, writing:

“Every chapter was a leap of faith. And by His special grace, I’m not done yet. There’s still so much more to come.”

Her final message was a rallying cry to dreamers across Africa and beyond:

“They say life begins at 40… and maybe it does. But if you ask me, it really kicks into gear at 60,” she wrote.

“Be bold. Be relentless. Be obsessed with your vision, build the right teams, and never forget God is your X factor”

As one of the most influential women in African media and a trailblazer for female entrepreneurs, Mo Abudu’s story is a reminder that ambition is not limited by age and that it’s never too late to start something extraordinary.