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Betty Irabor

Founder & Publisher, Genevieve

The media mogul, philanthropist and author founded Genevieve magazine, one of the leading lifestyle, fashion and beauty titles in her native Nigeria.

Biography

Betty Irabor is a Nigerian author, philanthropist, publisher, entrepreneur and founder of Genevieve magazine. She founded Genevieve in 2003 at the age of 45 after spotting a gap in the Nigerian publishing landscape, and has shaped the magazine into a lifestyle guide and inspiration to women.

Irabor is a seasoned writer and publisher. After studying English at the University of Lagos, she worked as a journalist at Concord Newspapers, and held freelancing jobs at the Vanguard, The Guardian, This Day and Black & Beauty. After a brief stint in the telecommunications business, she launched Genevieve in 2003, now one of the most read lifestyle, fashion and beauty magazines in Nigeria.

In 2005, Irabor launched the Genevieve Foundation, which holds an annual Pink Ball as a fundraiser for breast cancer victims. She also hosted and presented a talk show “Life's Lessons with Betty Irabor,” which aired on LindaIkejiTV in December 2017. She was honoured by the Association of Professional Women Bankers as the Most Accomplished Female Publisher in Nigeria in 2011.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Irabor has been married to Soni Irabor for over 35 years, with whom she has two children.

Career

Genevieve

Genevieve

Founder & Editor-in-Chief

2003

Education

University of Lagos

University of Lagos

Vital Statistics

Born
25 March 1967
Nationality

Nigeria

Location
Nigeria
Member since
2019

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What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.