Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has been honored with the Media Icon Award at the 2025 Forbes Africa Women Icon Awards, recognizing her as one of the standout women in Africa. The prestigious ceremony, held at the 2025 Forbes Women Africa Leading Women Summit in South Africa, also celebrated other remarkable women who have made significant contributions to various fields.
In addition to Tiwa Savage, the event saw the acknowledgment of other influential figures such as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and former Nigerian Finance Minister, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Nissi Ogulu, known for her groundbreaking work in music and the sister of Afrobeats giant Burna Boy, was awarded the Youth Icon Prize. Dr. Arunmah Oteh, former head of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission, was honored with the Change Maker of the Decade Award, while Eniola Shokunbi received the Young Achiever Award.
For Tiwa Savage, this recognition adds to her growing list of accolades. Her career, which spans over a decade, has solidified her as one of the most iconic Nigerian artists of the 21st century, and she continues to shape the sound and success of Afrobeats globally.
2025 Forbes Africa Women Icon Award Winners:
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
- Social Impact Award – Wanjira Mathai
- Young Achiever Award – Eniola Shokunbi
- Next Generation Award – Hephzibah Akinwale
- Youth Icon Award – Nissi Ogulu
- Media Icon Award – Tiwa Savage
- Academic Excellence Award – Dr. Adriana Marais
- Sports Award – Sue Destombes
- Visionary Ally Award – Soul Deng
- Entertainer of the Year Award – Sarah Hassan
- Excellence in Entertainment Award – Minnie Dlamini
- Technology and Innovation Award – Jessica Mshama
- Champion of Change Award – Dr. Glenda Gray
- Businesswoman Award – Rita Zwane
- Champion of Entertainment Promotion Award – Tholsi Pillay
- Change Maker of the Decade Award – Arunma Oteh
Tiwa Savage’s Latest Milestones
As Tiwa continues to break barriers in the music industry, she kicked off 2025 with the release of her highly anticipated single “Commitment,” featuring British R&B sensation Craig David. The song highlights Tiwa’s vocal prowess, and with Craig David’s presence, it blends the essence of Afrobeats and British R&B. Craig David, who has a strong fan base in Nigeria thanks to hits like “7 Days” and “Walking Away”, adds a distinct flavor to the collaboration.
Tiwa’s accomplishments go beyond music, as she also made history as the first Nigerian artist to perform at a British royal event. She represented Africa at the coronation of King Charles III, a monumental moment for both her career and Nigerian music as a whole.
With each milestone, Tiwa Savage continues to prove why she remains a force in the global entertainment industry and an inspiration to millions.
