Gbemisola Abudu

Gbemisola Abudu is a Nigerian-American entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist known for her expertise in general management and luxury marketing. With a career spanning more than 17 years, she has worked in Nigeria, the Middle East, and the United States.

She is currently the National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa Vice President and Country Head of NBA Nigeria.

Notably, Abudu contributed to the successful planning and execution of the 2023 NBA All-Star Afrobeats-themed halftime show which featured Burna Boy, Tems and Rema.

Early life
Abudu was born in San Bernardino, California.Her father was a chemical engineer and her mother is a pharmacist. Her family roots are in Abeokuta, Nigeria. She is the third of seven children in the family. Although she spent her formative years in Lagos, Nigeria, she moved to Murrieta, California at the age of 14.

Professional life
Abudu has a diverse professional background, having worked for organizations including Anap Jets, Polo Luxury, Louis Vuitton, White & Case LLP, The Walt Disney Company, and The Clorox Company.

In her current position, she leads the league's basketball and business development initiatives to expand the presence of basketball and the NBA in Nigeria. She is the youngest and also the only black woman to run a league office. In 2022, Abudu received recognition from Sports Illustrated as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Women in Sports in the World. Additionally, she was listed as one of ISPO's 30 Female Changemakers Shaping the Future of Sports.

Social activism and philanthropy
Abudu is a social activist and philanthropist. She founded the BMGA Foundation, where she serves as a non-executive Board member. This non-governmental organization is committed to promoting gender equity in the African business environment by empowering women for the future of work. Her work in philanthropy led to her recognition as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Global top 100 under 40, particularly in the category of activism and humanitarian efforts. Abudu's philanthropic endeavors include the BMGA Fellows Program, a social impact initiative designed to bridge the gender skills gap.

Education
Gbemisola Abudu earned an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. She also holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and public relations from the University of Wyoming.