Every once in a while, someone shows us what media can become when purpose sits at the center of it. For years, Anu Odubanjo has been that reminder. From her early days experimenting with digital publishing to building Fabwoman, a platform now shaping conversations across more than 70 countries, Anu has carved out a lane defined by clarity, creativity, and intentional impact.
She moves with a mix of strategic discipline and genuine heart, making her one of the most compelling voices in Africa’s digital media evolution. And yet, when she speaks about her journey, she does so with the simplicity of someone who sees the work as bigger than herself.
RefinedNG sits with Anu Odubanjo to unwrap the woman, the mission, and the movement she is building.
1. For those meeting you for the first time, how would you introduce yourself beyond your titles and achievements? Who is Anu Odubanjo at her core?
Anu Odubanjo: At my core, I am just a person who is driven by purpose and a desire to make a meaningful impact in the world. I’m someone who believes in using her experiences, knowledge, and skills to uplift people, especially girls and women. Titles come and go, but who I truly am is someone who wants to leave every room better than I met it. I see what I do as a tool to help others step into their own power.
2. Can you take us back to where your story began? What moments or experiences shaped your interest in media, storytelling, and building platforms that empower women?
Anu Odubanjo: My journey into digital media and storytelling began after my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a content writer. However, I will say the passion had always been there. From a young age, I was drawn to storytelling through reading and writing. I also loved to watch the news and TV shows.
I grew up in the early 90s, a period when reading was also much more fun and easier. By age 7 or 8, I was already reading books like Pacesetters, Enid Blyton, and Mills and Boon. I also loved magazines like FAME, Today’s Choice, and Hints.
Overall, I am someone you can call a bibliophile and an information junkie. Those early years largely shaped my creativity and curiosity and also helped me understand the power of stories and information.
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3. Before Fabwoman became what it is today, you already had strong roots in digital media through StarGist and NigerianMonitor. What lessons did those early chapters teach you about the media landscape and about yourself?
Anu Odubanjo: I believe my early experiences with Nigerian Monitor and Star Gist set the tone for the trajectory of my career path. I saw storytelling as a tool for transformation, and this led me to build a platform where women could be seen, heard, and inspired.
Those early chapters taught me resilience and grit. The lessons showed me that in the media industry, innovation and consistency are important to standing out and that growth doesn’t happen overnight.
Personally, I have learned the power of believing in one’s abilities. I started out my career as a self-taught writer and today, I have worked with brands I never thought of working with alongside building something impactful. In between that, I have won a fully funded media fellowship and also been recognized for the work I do with FabWoman. All this wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t taken a bet on myself.
4. Fabwoman has grown into a movement that reaches over 300,000 women across 70+ countries. When you started, what was the gap you saw, and how did you envision Fabwoman filling it?
Anu Odubanjo: At the time FabWoman started, there was a dearth of platforms in Nigeria that focused on providing exclusive, informative, and inspirational content that was tailored only to the female audience.
FabWoman was created to fill that gap by providing a platform and a space that would inspire women to become more in all aspects of their lives—professionally and personally. I envisioned a platform where women could balance information with motivation, helping them access the tools, content, and resources they need to thrive. This was why we also incorporated an e-commerce category to help women meet their shopping needs.
5. Over time, FabWoman has evolved from a content platform into a voice for purpose, leadership, and self-growth among women. What does “empowerment” mean to you today, compared to when you started?
Anu Odubanjo: When I started, empowerment meant giving women access to information. Today, it means much more than that; it means ensuring women own their narratives. It means helping women reclaim their voice and ensuring none is left behind in the quest for equality and transformation.
6. The platform has become a bridge between content, commerce, and community. How do you balance being both a creative visionary and a business leader in that ecosystem?
Anu Odubanjo: Over the years, I have learned that creativity drives innovation, but revenue drives sustainability. I approach FabWoman from a place of both mission and sustainability. Balancing both comes from understanding that creativity fuels growth, but strategy is the main driver. The question, “How does this idea create impact and drive revenue?” helps me stay grounded as a creative and a leader.
7. You’ve worked with over 20 global brands, including MTN, Google, Nestlé, Unilever, FCMB, and others, helping them connect with real audiences through storytelling. What, in your opinion, makes a story resonate with people?
Anu Odubanjo: A story resonates with people when it is authentic, relatable, and connects with real human emotions. In today’s world, people don’t just want stories; they want stories that they can connect with—stories that mirror parts of themselves. Vulnerability, relatability, and authenticity are key features of a memorable story, giving it that long-lasting effect. When you speak from your lived experience, people feel seen and heard and connected
8. In a world driven by algorithms and trends, how do you maintain authenticity while scaling influence?
Anu Odubanjo: I stay rooted in who I am, my ‘why,’ and the community I serve. There have been times I wanted to pivot to another niche that would have yielded faster growth and equally more revenue; however, when I feel the pressure, the question of why FabWoman was started comes into play. Trends come and go, and algorithms change, but authenticity is constant and long-lasting. For me, scaling should never come at the expense of losing yourself.
9. Beyond your brand partnerships and projects, your work with Fabwoman continues to amplify women’s voices. What have you learned from the women who make up your community?
Anu Odubanjo: As women, we are resilient even when we don’t recognize our strength. Beyond just consuming content, women crave spaces where they can learn, grow, and evolve. They want guidance without judgment and opportunities without limits. Their stories remind me that being vulnerable is a strength and that all a woman needs is a reminder that she is not alone in her journey.
10. You’ve been recognized among Inspiring Fifty Africa’s Top Women in Tech and as part of the MTN Media Innovation Programme. How do you see technology reshaping Africa’s media future, especially for women creators and founders?
Anu Odubanjo: Technology, especially with the emergence of AI, has changed the media industry. It has given African women the power to build platforms and make an impact while at it. In recent years, this has also given rise to the emergence of creators, thereby advancing storytelling greatly.
I believe the future of media in Africa belongs to those who are able to drive impact, change, and innovation. Stories drive the world we live in today and whoever can take advantage of it will win at the end of the day.
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11. As the media landscape keeps evolving, from AI tools to digital storytelling formats, how do you envision FabWoman and your broader work adapting to the future?
Anu Odubanjo: We are evolving from just a media platform to a knowledge hub for women, with the creation of our own digital products, community-led programs, and events. My goal is to build an ecosystem where every woman can have access to everything that will transform their lives, from mentorship to tools to funding. There is a lot of work to be done, especially regarding scaling but we plan to take it one step at a time.
12. Finally, what’s next for you? What dreams or projects are you most excited to bring to life in the coming years?
Anu Odubanjo: I think I am entering a season of expansion and more impact. I’m currently working on projects that intersect technology, media, and women’s development. I’m also working toward launching initiatives that support women and taking on more consultancy roles. I have so many plans for FabWoman in the coming year(s), which I don’t want to let out of the bag yet, so keep your fingers crossed. (laughs)
Closing Note: You can end your responses with a reflection or message; something personal you’d like readers (especially young women and storytellers) to take away from your journey.
Anu Odubanjo: I believe we all have God-given talents and gifts. Find yours and use it for the greater good of the world. Start where you are, believe in yourself, stay consistent, and keep learning and reinventing yourself. Trust me, everything will pan out at the end of the day.
You can follow up with FabWoman on their website: https://fabwoman.ng/ and on social media @fabwomanonline on all platforms (IG, X, Facebook and LinkedIn)
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