In a significant nod to the next generation of leaders, acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie nominated Nigerian actor and producer Ego Boyo as one of British Vogue’s “Forces for Change” for 2024. This nomination highlights Boyo’s ongoing impact on the Nigerian entertainment industry and her dedication to social causes, marking her as a key figure to watch in the coming years.
British Vogue’s Forces for Change: A Five-Year Legacy
The “Forces for Change” initiative started in 2019 when Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, teamed up with British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Edward Enninful, for a groundbreaking September issue. The issue featured 15 women driving positive change globally, including icons like Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek Pinault, Greta Thunberg, and Laverne Cox.
This project was not just about celebrating a moment but about fostering a movement, as Enninful emphasised. Over the past five years, British Vogue has partnered with major brands like BMW, Nike, YouTube, and eBay to spotlight individuals devoted to making a difference.
“Actor, producer and executive producer Ego Boyo, 55, “has been an iconic figure since my teenage years, when she starred in the seminal 1990s Nigerian TV drama Checkmate.” “Her character challenged accepted norms of what women could be.” Beyond her work on screen, Boyo is “actively involved in charity work focused on women – combating sexual violence against women and girls in Nigeria, highlighting women’s education and women’s healthcare”. “Today, she continues to be a role model for young Nigerian women – with her quiet glamour, her depth and her dedication to producing quality work. An absolute class act.”
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on Ego Boyo
Continuing the Tradition of Change
As British Vogue marks the fifth anniversary of this influential project, the magazine has called upon the original 2019 cover stars to nominate their champions for the future. Enninful selected Yasmin Finney, a groundbreaking figure advocating for young, Black trans individuals. This year’s selections highlight those who challenge the status quo and drive critical conversations about the world’s most pressing issues.
Ego Boyo: A Role Model for Generations
Ego Boyo, is celebrated for her iconic role in the 1990s Nigerian TV drama Checkmate, a show that challenged societal norms regarding women’s roles. “She has been an iconic figure since my teenage years,” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains her choice. Adichie further praises Boyo for her deep involvement in charity work, particularly concerning women’s rights, education, and healthcare in Nigeria. Boyo’s work against sexual violence and her commitment to producing high-quality content has solidified her as a role model for young Nigerian women. “An absolute class act,” Adichie concludes.
Ego Boyo expressed gratitude for being nominated as a British Vogue 2024 ‘Force for Change.’
I am deeply honoured and humbled to be recognised as one of British Vogue’s ‘Forces for Change,’ nominated by the remarkable Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. As we continue to navigate and influence the ever-changing landscape of our world, I am reminded of the power of storytelling, advocacy, and quiet perseverance. My journey has been long, but each step has been meaningful and purposeful. This recognition fuels my commitment to contribute positively to the narratives we create, especially for future generations. My deepest thanks to Vogue and dearest Chimamanda for this acknowledgement.
A New Generation of Changemakers
Ego Boyo joins a prestigious list of individuals nominated for the 2024 “Forces for Change.” Alongside her are other luminaries, including Angelina Jolie, nominated by Salma Hayek Pinault, and Amal Clooney, nominated by model Adut Akech. These nominations not only honour the accomplishments of these remarkable women but also underscore the ongoing efforts to recognise and support those making a difference on a global scale. See the full list of Changemakers HERE.