Nigerian musician and entrepreneur Nissi Ogulu was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Youth Icon Award’ at the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit 2025. This ceremony recognized her for her transformative power of creativity and innovation in shaping the future of Africa. As the younger sister of Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, Nissi is already a name to reckon with, and this award further places her position as a leading voice in Nigeria’s vibrant creative landscape.
Nissi captivated the audience with a compelling speech that echoed the themes of creativity and the importance of innovation. In an era where the narrative of Africa is often shaped by external forces, Nissi passionately articulated the need for African creatives to take ownership of their stories. Her words resonated through the audience, inspiring hope and ambition among the many young women present.
As Nissi shared her experiences, she illuminated her diverse career of a journey that spans music, visual arts, engineering, and entrepreneurship. Beyond her musical talents, Nissi is the co-founder of Kemet Automotive, a pioneering electric vehicle company poised to revolutionize mobility in Africa. In her speech, she highlighted the urgent need for sustainable innovation, infrastructure investments, and policy frameworks that empower African entrepreneurs. “Sustainable technology is not just the future; it’s a necessity for us to thrive,” she emphasized. This earned her nods of agreement from industry leaders in attendance.
Nissi’s commitment to driving change did not stop there. Drawing from her experience as an engineer who played a pivotal role in the design of the 2023 Range Rover model, she challenged female attendees to break into male-dominated industries. “True leadership exists at the intersection of creativity and courage,” she asserted. As she concluded her speech with the powerful declaration, “We are not waiting for a seat at the table anymore; we are building our own tables,” the applause erupted, echoing the sentiments of a generation ready to forge its path.
As the visionary behind Creele Animation Studios, Nissi has successfully ventured into the world of animation, proving that her talents know no bounds. Her artistic journey began with the release of her debut single "Pay Attention" in 2016, followed by another hit, "Familiar," produced by the renowned Nigerian music producer Chopstix. In 2020, Nissi released her EP titled ‘Ignite,’ showcasing her evolution as an artist and her commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
Her talents extend beyond music and animation. In 2021, Nissi was part of the Jaguar Land Rover engineering team responsible for designing the latest Range Rover model. That same year, she ventured into the world of blockchain, launching a charity NFT collection on the Binance NFT marketplace, further showcasing her innovative spirit. Additionally, she directed, produced, and composed a 3D animated short film titled ‘The Satchel’ under her animation studio, proving that her artistic endeavors are as impactful as they are diverse.
Nissi's achievements have not gone unnoticed by her family. Bose Ogulu, Burna Boy's mother and manager, took to Instagram to congratulate her daughter, expressing her pride in Nissi's accomplishments. “Congratulations to my incredible daughter, on winning the Forbes Women Africa Youth Icon Award! Your dedication, creativity, and vision are truly inspiring,” she wrote, celebrating the momentous achievement of her daughter who has continually blazed trails across industries.
Nissi Ogulu is breaking barriers and redefining excellence. She stands as an influential voice of her generation and her receipt of the ‘Youth Icon Award’ serves as a defining moment for her career. In a world that often overlooks the contributions of women, especially in Africa, Nissi’s journey exemplifies the spirit of empowerment and determination. Her message at the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit 2025 will resonate for years to come, championing a new era of bold, fearless, and innovative African leadership.
