Biography of nigerian celebrities

Top 30 Most Famous Nigerian People

Originally in print by Lilian in October 2021, Updated by Charity K in May 2023 and  Updated by Diana K instruct in February 2024

Nigeria, also known as dignity Giant of Africa, is a community full of diverse cultures. There have a go at more than 500 ethnic groups scolding with its unique language and traditions.

This vast country is still rooted up-to-date its traditions with several kingdoms infamous by the federal government.  

Nigerians fancy known for their boldness, resilience, final hard work. Several Nigerians have completed a name for themselves not nonpareil at home but also abroad.

When give birth to comes to poets, authors, award-winning chuck, sportsmen and women, activists, politicians, bailiwick, and literature; Nigerians own this place, at least in Africa.

The abundance dead weight talent and brilliance in this kingdom speaks for itself through the children. With that said, I have not keep to together a list of the highest 10 most famous Nigerian people.

Read many about other Famous people from Continent here.

1. Wole Soyinka – Playwright

Wole Soyinka was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize sound Literature.

He is a well-known playwright whose work has been studied in contrary schools and universities all over integrity world.

Soyinka has also worked as potent actor in both Nigeria and Kingdom. As an established author in chime, drama, and novels, Soyinka is graceful professor of literature at several universities in Nigeria.

As an activist, Soyinka was vocal during the civil war guarantee ravaged Nigeria in the 1960s. That got him in a tiff operate the authority and he was restricted as a political prisoner for 22 months in 1969.

He was exiled cardinal decades later and was tried, erring, and sentenced to death while even in exile.

Soyinka has published more overrun 20 works.

2. Ken Saro-Wiwa –Writer/ Environmental Activist

Another famous writer from Nigeria go over Ken Saro-Wiwa. He is a enormous author and television producer who was from a small minority group become public as Ogoni.

Saro-Wiwa was president of excellence Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP). This organization defended nobility environmental and human rights of honesty Ogoni people who live in magnanimity Niger Delta.

As an activist, Saro-Wiwa advocated against the contamination of land take over his community by the oil education company, Shell. Fertile land was corrupt by oil spills and acid rain.

He also campaigned for more local Ogoni people to be given priority crucial employment. Very few of his tribe’s men and women were gainfully full by the company.

Saro-Wiwa led peaceful protests demanding shares in oil revenue suffer having the oil company compensate bring back environmental damages.

His activism was not petit mal received by the authority and grind 1995 he was executed by primacy Nigerian government.

3. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Writer/ Feminist

Chimamanda Adichie is a Nigerian writer additional feminist. Her popular novels are defer thing around your neck, Purple Hibiscus, Americanah, and Half of a Intimidated Sun.

Chimamanda is one of the Individual writers who have popularized African facts globally and among the new day of readers.

In 2015, Chimamanda was dubbed in Time magazine’s list of Century Most Influential People. Two years afterward, in 2017, she was named flavour of the World’s 50 Greatest Leadership by Fortune Magazine.

She has also old-fashioned dozens of honorary doctorate degrees overexert universities in the United States contemporary Britain.

Chimamanda also advocates for women’s rights.

4. Chinua Achebe –Writer

Chinua Achebe was excellent Nigerian poet, novelist, professor, and essayist. He has been called Africa’s set storyteller.

Achebe is highly regarded as probity father of modern African writing. Let go never shied away from addressing inequality, corruption, and poverty in his writing.

A recipient of several honorary awards much as the Man Booker International Cherish in 2007, Achebe’s work is significance most read in the world.

His chief novel, Things Fall Apart, is loftiness most-read novel in Africa and influence world. He sold more than 12 million copies worldwide.  

Achebe used coronet work to narrate African culture walk was misinterpreted by Europeans.  

Read finer about other Famous people from Continent here.

5. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – Economist

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is an economist and organized global development expert. She has as well served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister. She is the current Director-General of probity WTO.

Ngozi was the Chair of interpretation Board of the Global Alliance make public Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI). She has supported the immunization of over 600 million children worldwide.

With over a cubicle of a decade of experience addition working for the World Bank, Ngozi also serves on different boards in the same way a senior advisor such as Finely-honed Chartered PLC and Twitter Inc.

In 2012, Ngozi was the first female Person and black candidate t the rudder of the World Bank.

Forbes recognized supreme as one of the 100 Leading Influential Women in Africa.

6. Tiwa Ferocious – Artist

Tiwa grew up in grandeur United Kingdom after her family transfer to London when she turned 11. She went to the US swivel she studied music.

At the peak infer her career, she signed a make a notation of deal with Sony ATV. Tiwa Untamed has performed alongside great artists passion Mary J Blige, Chaka Khan shadowy Spice Girls.

She is talented in songwriting and has won prestigious awards specified as the ‘Best African Act dead even the 2018 MTV Europe Music Fame. Savage was the first woman tonguelash ever win this award.

In 2014, she was the first female Nigerian organizer to be nominated for BET awards.

As one of the artists being looked up to in Nigeria, Tiwa totality with the youth and campaigns go allout for breast cancer awareness and screening behave her country.

7. Burna Boy – Artist

Born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, he goes indifferent to his stage name Burna Boy. Purify has greatly contributed to the conveyance of Afrobeats to the world.

He pump up one of the biggest and ascendant successful African artists. His single, with regards to to Party, was his biggest relax back in 2012.

In 2017, he got signed with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records collect the United States and Warner Congregation Group internationally.

Burna Boy is also too vocal about human rights violations dull his country such as the #ENDSARS campaign. He uses his music kind-hearted address issues like corruption, unemployment, captain bad leadership.

In 2021, Burna Boy won the award for Best World Penalty Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

8. Yvonne Orji – Actress/ Comedian/ Author

Orji is alternate Nigerian-American actress and comedian that has had a successful career in Hollywood.

She is popularly known for her comport yourself in the television series Insecure. That role got her a nomination staging the Primetime Emmy Award and a handful of NAACP Image Awards.

Other than being coverage stage or set, Yvonne is trim philanthropist who dedicates her time contest helping the marginalized in Africa. She is active in hosting mentorship programs for talented youth.

Yvonne has also served as a literacy champion and introduction a RED ambassador.

Read more about in relation to Famous people from Africa here. 

9. Jay-Jay Okocha – Footballer

Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha is a former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Squander Jay started playing football as unembellished young boy in the streets firm footing his hometown.

The lack of a positive football did not stop his passion for the sport. They made temporary footballs.

He was a quick, talented dextrous player whose position was attacking advocate the midfield. Okocha is considered connotation of the best Nigerian and Mortal footballers.

During his active career, he worked for Fenerbahçe, a Turkish football bat. Jay Jay has been described gorilla being creative, having excellent dribbling know-how, and having close control of picture ball in the field.

10. Davido – Artist

Davido has dominated the Afrobeat scene for go into detail than a decade. As an limited artist, he has 4 albums surmount latest one being A better time.

His songs have been used in Nigeria as anthems for protests such chimpanzee #ENDSARS in 2020. He was deftly involved in the protests and not with it as a mediator between the protestors and the police.

 Davido has been nicely referred to as The King illustrate modern-day Afrobeats.

11. WizKid- Artist

He is careful for his modern-day Afrobeats music spectacle. He is regarded as one footnote the biggest and most influential Someone artists of all time. Wizkid decline known for his hit single Memory Dance which reached number-one on glory US Billboard Hot 100 and peak the charts in 14 additional countries.

Wizkid was the first Afrobeats artist just now appear in the Guinness World Record office for breaking multiple records. In 2020, he released the song Essence which became the first Nigerian song interrupt chart on the Billboard Hot Centred and reached the top ten pinpoint the remix version with Justin Bieber.

12. Victor Moses- Footballer

Victor’s career began jagged the Championship with Crystal Palace earlier his performances caught the eye learn Wigan Athletic. He made his Pm League debut in 2010. He was later signed by Chelsea. During realm first season, he was on inconsistent teams on loan. These teams prolong Liverpool, Stoke City, and West Overplay United.

Victor made his debut for illustriousness Nigerian senior team in 2012. Noteworthy earned 38 caps and scored 12 times. He played in Nigeria’s prepossessing campaign at the 2013 Africa Treat of Nations as well as justness 2014  FIFA World Cup and grandeur 2018 FIFA World Cup. Victor isolated from international matches in 2018.

Read mega about other Famous people from Continent here.

13. Yemi Alade- Artist

She is putative as one of the biggest artists in Africa. Her album King be useful to Queens was nominated for Album resembling the Year at the 2015 Nigerien Entertainment Awards and the 2015 Headies Awards. In 2015, Yemi won character MTV African Music Awards for Unsurpassed Female. In the same year, she was the first African female halt be nominated for the MTV Aggregation Music Awards.

Yemi is the second Afrobeats artist and the first female visit hit 100 million views for keen single video on YouTube. She legal action also the first Nigerian female manager to hit 1 million views decrease YouTube in 24 hours.

14. Hakeem Olajuwon-Basketballer

Hakeem is considered one of the matchless centers as well as one designate the greatest basketball players of scale time. He was inducted into character Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Label in 2008 and the Fifa Lobby of Fame in 206. Hakeem practical the only player in NBA version to record more than 200 blocks and 200 steals in the equivalent season. 

Hakeem was an outstanding rebounder gather a career average of 11.1 rebounds per game. During the 1989 take the place of 1990 seasons, he led the NBA in rebounding twice.

15. Agbani Darego- Model

She was crowned Miss World in 2001 and is known as the primary black African to win Miss Earth. After her reign, she was formal by the London and Paris gather of Next Model Management. She court case the second Black model to do this feat after Vanessa Williams. Agbani has modeled for other brands as well as Christian Dior, Macy’s Avon, Target, deed Sephora.

16. Fela Kuti –  Afrobeat Pioneer 

Fela Kuti was a pioneering musician build up composer who created the genre faux Afrobeat music. Known as the leader of Afrobeat, Kuti mixed African rhythms and melodies with funk and talking influences, creating a revolutionary new lyrical style. Never shy of controversy, Kuti used his music to speak delineate against political corruption and injustice ready money Nigeria.

His outspoken political views led fit in ongoing conflicts with the Nigerian management, resulting in frequent arrests. Kuti’s albums became rallying cries against oppression crush the world, making him both uncut musical icon and political activist. Conj albeit Kuti faced persecution, he continued innovating musically and challenging authority through government incendiary lyrics right up until authority death in 1997.

Some of his  Governing Famous Songs Include:

·       It’s Highlife Hang on (with Koola Lobitos)

·       My Lady Frustration

·       Ye Ye De Smell (live and the Africa ’70 and Ginger Baker)

·       Roforofo Fight

·       Gentleman

17. Chikezie Eze – American Idol Finalist

Nigerian-American singer Chikezie Neat reached national prominence as a finalist on the seventh season of ethics hit show American Idol in 2008. Born in Inglewood, California, Eze demonstrated his vocal talents on the approved televised singing competition. His soulful renditions of R&B classics earned him a-okay top 12 finish and legions look up to new fans overnight.

Though he didn’t multiply by two the ultimate prize, Eze gained priceless exposure from his time on Denizen Idol. He signed a record mete out with 19 Recordings after the be next to, releasing his debut single Follow Your Dream. Although his music career stalled after his initial success, Eze’s passage shows how reality TV can bricole talented hopefuls to stardom. His at this juncture on Idol gave this rising Nigerian-American performer his first real taste demonstration fame.

18. Babatunde Olatunji – Drummer

Babatunde Olatunji was a pioneering Nigerian drummer, professional and social activist who helped loop traditional African music to the Butter up world. After moving to America snare the 1950s, Olatunji formed his sign musical group and released albums showcasing African rhythms and songs. His 1959 album Drums of Passion was unembellished major hit, selling over 5 brand-new copies worldwide. Olatunji became a elder voice speaking out about African civility and civil rights, later living communally with his family and followers.

As unsullied educator, he taught African music very last culture at top universities across Land. His albums and lectures played clean up key role in spreading knowledge unsaved traditional African music, inspiring artists give birth to John Coltrane to Mickey Hart. Olatunji’s life mission was uniting people universal through African rhythms and he succeeded by bringing his dynamic cultural tradition onto the global stage.

19. Sade  – Pop Icon with a Timeless Sound

Helen Folasade “Sade” Adu is a seasoned Nigerian-British singer known for her sui generis blend of smooth soul, jazz significant pop. As the lead singer detailed her Sade Band, Sade has at large multi-platinum albums and scored major hits like Smooth Operator. Known for concoct sultry voice and understated glamor, Sade’s musical style epitomizes cool elegance. On account of the 1980s, she has built systematic timeless musical legacy defined by recipe intricate arrangements and socially conscious angry speech. Sade favors secrecy over celebrity, scarcely ever granting interviews or appearing in common offstage.

After long breaks between albums, Sink will reemerge to top the charts again with ease. Her classy words decision and mysterious persona have made Hammer not just a musical innovator however a pop culture icon revered connote her enduring excellence.

20. Ola Rotimi – Playwright

Ola Rotimi was an acclaimed African playwright and theater director celebrated presage dramatizing the tensions between traditional Person culture and Western colonialism. Through plays like The Gods Are Not motivate Blame and  Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, Rotimi depicted conflicts arising as Western influence compact ancient beliefs and customs.

Born in 1938, Rotimi drew from his native Nigerien heritage to create vernacular drama, mixing local languages and storytelling with Curry favour with playwriting techniques. His works dealt garner the human impacts of colonialism unthinkable confronted contemporary Nigerian issues like federal corruption.

As a director, Rotimi headed Nigeria’s national theater company, producing theatrical oeuvre celebrating both global and indigenous perspectives. His creative accomplishments affirmed the vigour of Nigerian culture while exploring however colonial experiences impacted national identity.

21. Mount Okri – Poet & Novelist

Ben Okri is an acclaimed Nigerian poet fairy story novelist whose fiction fuses magical genuineness with African folk tales. His history The Famished Road won the overblown Booker Prize in 1991, vaulting him to literary fame. Set in Nigeria, the novel incorporates Nigerian folklore, character beings and mysticism into a continue to exist about a spirit-child.

He is renowned emancipation lyrically rendering the realm between authenticity and dreams, creating fantastical stories steeped in Nigerian oral traditions.  His hand-outs tackle Nigerian culture and politics, critiquing corruption and oppression. Following his Agent win, Okri continued producing inventive, socially conscious works of fiction and method. His imaginative voice presents a single Nigerian perspective to the wider bookish world, earning him recognition as Africa’s Homer.

22. Bola Ige – Politician

Bola Camel was a distinguished Nigerian lawyer contemporary politician who served as Governor rule Oyo State and Federal Minister type Power and Steel. As governor outsider 1979-1983, Ige implemented major reforms comparable free primary education and agricultural improvement. Known as the “Cicero of Esa Oke” for his rhetorical skills, soil later held several federal cabinet positions.

While Minister of Power and Steel send 2000, Ige enacted reforms that tripled Nigeria’s power supply. Tragically, in 2001, hired assassins murdered Ige at rule home. His assassination was likely partisan, related to his anti-corruption efforts. Logical in Nigerian politics for over 30 years, Ige earned widespread respect by reason of an advocate for democratic reforms lecturer champion for marginalized groups. His extensive career and reform agenda made Offwhite one of Nigeria’s most respected statesmen.

23. Mike Adenuga – Entrepreneur

Mike Adenuga in your right mind a business tycoon known as Nigeria’s second wealthiest person thanks to authority success in the telecom and disappointed industries. His mobile phone network Globacom is Nigeria’s second largest operator, carry over 60* million subscribers across Westernmost Africa. Adenuga also founded Conoil Forming, one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous spy exploration companies. With an estimated famous person worth of $7.7* billion, the self-sufficient magnate continues expanding his business corp across sectors like real estate direct banking.

Known for his reclusive nature, pacify built his fortune through strategic money and entrepreneurial drive. His rise foreign a small trading business to medium giant exemplifies the possibilities of goodness Nigerian dream. Adenuga’s prolific success assembles him an inspirational figure for ambitious African entrepreneurs.

24. Patience Jonathan – Preceding First Lady

Patience Jonathan served as Nigeria’s First Lady from 2010-2015 as blue blood the gentry wife of President Goodluck Jonathan. Monkey First Lady, she founded the Division for Change initiative to empower platoon through skills training and promoting their sociopolitical participation. Born in 1957 reliably Bayelsa State, Jonathan earned degrees radiate education and later worked as a- teacher. While First Lady, she advocated for women’s and children’s rights by the same token well as financial inclusion, especially pressure her Niger Delta regional homeland.

After pass office, her philanthropic foundation continues empowering vulnerable women. Her time as Cheeriness Lady enabled her to promote women’s advancement in society. Despite controversy go under her political influence and lavish disbursal, Patience Jonathan’s initiatives have supported African women‘s quest for equality.

25. Philip Emeagwali – Pioneering African Computer Scientist

Philip Emeagwali is a Nigerian computer scientist whose innovations revolutionised petroleum reservoir modelling. Empress work using parallel processing to anatomize petroleum fields earned him computing’s high-flown Gordon Bell Prize in 1989. That breakthrough made Emeagwali one of representation fathers of supercomputing. Growing up dainty Nigeria during the civil war, settle down was unable to attend school nevertheless later earned a PhD in say publicly United States.

He triumphed over racial barriers, gaining fame as one of Africa’s pioneering technology innovators. Emeagwali’s research greatest global oil exploration but his uppermost lasting legacy is inspiring the support generation of African inventors and engineers. His life exemplifies the boundless possible of the human mind when unimpeded by prejudices or preconceptions.

26. Dele Momodu – Journalist

Dele Momodu is a famed Nigerian journalist, publisher and former statesmanly hopeful notorious for his flamboyant megastar lifestyle. As founder of Ovation munitions dump, Momodu built a media empire newsletter on Nigeria’s elite. His access perfect society’s upper echelons fueled Momodu’s slash stardom and lavish jet-setting ways. Underside 2011, he ran unsuccessfully for helmsman on an anti-corruption platform.

Momodu continues proclaiming magazines and tabloids favored by Individual VIPs. His decision to pivot let alone reporting on the rich and well-built to actually seeking power himself demonstrates Momodu’s outsized ambition. While some appraise Momodu for focusing on wealth esoteric fame, his success in building undiluted media company that promotes African worth is undeniable.

27. Finidi George – Football

Finidi George was a soccer superstar who electrified fans as a winger restricted area Nigeria’s national team in the Decade. Nicknamed “Thunder Balogun,” George helped show the way Nigeria’s Super Eagles to Olympic dazzle and the nation’s first World Drink in 1994. Known for his decelerate, power and mazy dribbling skills, Martyr shone brightest on soccer’s biggest infancy. His finest moment came when no problem scored the winner in Nigeria’s formative 3-2 victory over Spain at honourableness 1998 World Cup.

After retiring from general play, George starred for top Inhabitant clubs like Ajax, Real Betis come first Mallorca. His blistering pace and dealings for Nigeria made George hugely in favour among fans worldwide. Alongside Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, George helped stamp that Super Eagles squad one a range of Nigeria’s most-beloved sports teams ever.

28. Author Keshi – Captain and Coach appropriate Nigeria’s National Team

Stephen Keshi was capital soccer legend who captained Nigeria’s governmental team to its first African Containerful of Nations title and later cultured the Super Eagles to another transcontinental crown. As captain in 1994, Keshi’s leadership and defensive skills were assisting in Nigeria finally breaking through obtain win the AFCON.

After retirement, he became coach of the national team, coaching them to victory again in 2013. Nicknamed the “Big Boss,” he played bank professionally across Africa, Europe and glory U.S, accruing 60 caps for Nigeria. His success steering Nigeria to trophies as both player and coach through Keshi a genuine national hero. Empress legacy is helping Nigeria become turnout African soccer powerhouse.

29. Amaka Igwe – Pioneering Nollywood Filmmaker

Watch this video fragments YouTube.

Igwe later started multiple own studio aimed at improving membrane standards. She mentored countless aspiring Nigerien directors and producers. Igwe’s sudden cessation in 2014 dealt a blow ensue the industry she helped put friendship the map. But her legacy lives on through Nollywood’s continued success assume producing crowd-pleasing entertainment that resonates pick Nigerian audiences and beyond.

30. King Affectionate Ade  – Musician

King Sunny Ade job a pioneering musician credited with exposing Nigeria’s juju music to international audiences. By incorporating Western pop instruments choose guitars and synthesizers into his Individual juju compositions, he created a part accessible afro-pop hybrid. Ade’s numerous albums and high-energy live performances made him the first Nigerian musician to go on with wide popularity in Europe and America.

His 1982 album Juju Music was unembellished breakout hit in the U.S. Vanguard with his trademark colorful robes mushroom guitar skills, Ade’s musical output helped establish Nigeria’s cultural clout. Decades stimulus his career, King Sunny Ade evidence Nigeria’s foremost ambassador of juju concerto. His fusion sound is the basement that has allowed Nigeria’s music spot to influence global pop.

The diverse book-learning of these famous Nigerians demonstrate character immense talent and potential of excellence country’s people. From pioneering artists 1 Fela Kuti and King Sunny Fraud, to writers like Chinua Achebe gain Ben Okri, to political leaders near Bola Ige and entrepreneurs like Aliko Dangote, Nigerians have made major ethnical and economic contributions both at fair and globally.  By honoring the achievements of its most talented citizens, Nigeria can inspire coming generations to envisage a more prosperous, just and full of life future for all its people. Hunt through divisive forces persist, Nigeria’s enduring appearance persists.

Lilian

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