Ezinne Akudo is a lawyer, entrepreneur, advocate, and storyteller whose multifaceted career is driven by a deep commitment to purpose and impact. Over a decade after being crowned Miss Nigeria, she continues to wear her influence with quiet power and intentional grace. From the moment she stepped into the national spotlight in 2013, she has refused to be defined by a single title. Instead, she has carved a path that bridges law, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

In this candid conversation with GLAZIA, Ezinne reflects on how a beauty pageant win became a catalyst for her life’s work, from founding a foundation that supports survivors of sexual assault, to building Nkassi, a lifestyle brand rooted in elegance and intentionality, and most recently, hosting Beyond with Ezinne, a podcast that delves into honest, soul-stretching conversations. Here, she speaks about finding balance between structure and creativity, the courage to evolve publicly, and why women must give themselves permission to take up space.

Ezinne Akudo Gets Real on Identity, Rest, and Reinvention

GLAZIA: You won Miss Nigeria nearly a decade ago, a milestone that catapulted you into the spotlight. Looking back now, how did that win shape the woman you are today, especially in your work as a creative, entrepreneur, and advocate?

Ezinne Akudo: Winning Miss Nigeria in 2013 was more than a crown; it was a catalyst. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of that moment, but in hindsight, it shaped the trajectory of my life in the most profound ways. It gave me a platform, yes, but more importantly, it gave me a sense of responsibility. Suddenly, I wasn’t just representing myself, but I was representing young Nigerian women with dreams bigger than their circumstances.

That win gave me visibility and clarity. It was during my reign that I launched The Eight Foundation, which provided legal, medical, and emotional support to survivors of sexual assault. That experience opened my eyes to the deep-rooted inequalities women face and ignited my passion for advocacy.

Now, as a creative and entrepreneur, I draw on all those early lessons, the confidence to take up space, the empathy that comes from hearing people’s stories, and the drive to build something meaningful. Whether I’m running my lifestyle brand, Nkassi, producing a podcast, or working with women in underserved communities, I’m always guided by the conviction that influence must be used for impact. That mindset was planted in me the day I wore that crown.

G: As a trained lawyer turned beauty queen turned entrepreneur, how have you learned to balance structure with creativity? What skills from law still show up in how you run Nkassi?

E.A: It’s been quite the journey. But honestly, I think my law training gave me the grounding I didn’t know I would need in business and creativity. Legal training teaches you how to think, how to analyze, question, structure your thoughts, and see both the big picture and the fine print. That mindset still shows up every day in how I run Nkassi.

Whether I’m negotiating with manufacturers, reviewing contracts, or developing new product lines, the discipline I learned from law keeps me organized and focused. At the same time, entrepreneurship demands that I stay creative, from branding to storytelling to product design. The beauty of it is that I’ve learned to move between structure and flow. I can draft a detailed operations plan in the morning and spend the afternoon picking fabric samples or testing scents.

Balancing structure with creativity is not always easy, but I’ve realized that the two are not opposites; they complement each other. The law taught me how to build solid foundations. Creativity taught me how to color outside the lines. Nkassi is where both parts of me meet

G: Nkassi was a well-kept secret for years. What inspired you to transition the brand from being exclusive to mainstream? And how does the brand reflect your personality or life philosophy?

E.A: Nkassi started as something deeply personal. It was my little secret, a brand I created to reflect my love for beautiful, functional things that make everyday living feel intentional. At first, I only shared it with a small circle, partly because I wanted to protect it, and partly because I wasn’t sure the world was ready for it,  or maybe I wasn’t sure I was ready to step fully into that part of myself.

But over time, I realized that the very things I loved about Nkassi,  simplicity, intentionality, elegance, and care, were the same things that people around me were also yearning for. I began to see that Nkassi wasn’t just about products; it was about a lifestyle. It was about showing people that softness can be powerful and that comfort is not a luxury; it’s a right.

Transitioning Nkassi from being exclusive to mainstream was a leap of courage. It was me saying, “This is who I am, and this is what I believe in.” The brand honestly reflects how I live. I romanticize my life in little ways: the scent in my bathroom, the towel I wrap around myself, the robe I wear to unwind. Nkassi is calm, warm, intentional, and a little luxurious,  just like the life I’m curating for myself, and the one I want other people to feel they deserve.

G: Your podcast explores meaningful stories and deep conversations. What motivated you to start Beyond with Ezinne, and what kind of narratives are you most passionate about amplifying?

E.A: Beyond with Ezinne was born out of a deep longing, a longing for conversations that dig beyond the surface. I was tired of curated perfection and highlight reels. I wanted to create a space where people could show up as they are, where we could talk honestly about grief, identity, purpose, love, shame, faith, all the things that shape us but rarely get talked about out loud.

I think losing my dad made me even more sensitive to the silent battles people carry. I started to crave stories that reflected the full spectrum of human experience, the beauty, the brokenness, the in-between. Beyond became my way of holding space for that.

I’m most passionate about amplifying stories that remind us we’re not alone, stories that challenge norms, disrupt silence, and heal in the process. Whether it’s a woman reclaiming her voice after trauma or a man unlearning toxic masculinity, I want listeners to walk away feeling seen, understood, and maybe even a little braver. Because sometimes, hearing someone else’s story gives us the permission we didn’t know we needed to own ours.

G: You’re building a brand, running a business, mentoring young women, and now hosting a podcast. What does living a “full life” mean to you, and how do you avoid burnout?

E.A: For me, living a full life isn’t about doing everything; it’s about …….. Read the complete interview and see more exclusive photos in the magazine HERE

Credits 

Editor in Chief – Omawumi Ogbe @omawumio

Editors – Ubong Okere @whyteshades | Abraham Adegoke @degokeab

Styling – Yolanda Okereke – @yolandaokerekere | @theranicompany

Photography – Reenaay  – @reenaay

Makeup – Nuban Beauty – @nubanbeauty

Creative Support – Minomi Ogbe – @ominomi_o

Location – Alliance Française – @af.lagos

Videography – AdelVision Studios – @adelvisionstudios

Graphics design and coordination – Nathan Obi – @thecreativegenius01