List of Nigerians
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This is an incomplete list of notable Nigerian people, it includes some but not all overseas Nigerians (see also List of Nigerian Britons and List of Nigerian Americans)
Contents |
[edit] Politicians
- Nnamdi Azikiwe, first president of Nigeria
- Herbert Macaulay
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
- Obafemi Awolowo
- Nwafor Orizu, Nigeria's second head of state(1965-1966)
- Samuel Akintola
- Michael Okpara
- Ahmadu Bello
- Olusegun Obasanjo
- Akanu Ibiam
- Margaret Ekpo
- Shehu Shagari
- Alex Ekwueme
- Alvan Ikoku
- Muhammadu Buhari
- Dennis Osadebay
- Tunde Idiagbon
- Oladipo Diya
- K.O. Mbadiwe
- Murtala Mohammed
- Philip Effiong
- Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
- Ibrahim Babangida
- Yakubu Gowon
- Chike Obi
- Ernest Shonekan
- Sani Abacha
- Abdulsalami Abubakar
- Odumegwu Ojukwu
- Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
- Atiku Abubakar
- Festus Okotie-Eboh
- Moshood Abiola
- Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
- Namadi Sambo
- David Mark
- Ike Ekweremadu
- Chuba Okadigbo
- Evan Enwerem
- Dimeji Bankole
- Peter Obi
- Bola Tinubu
- Ken Nnamani
- Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
- Dora Akunyili
- Jaja Wachuku
- Ghali Umar Na'Abba
- Patricia Etteh
- Babatunde Raji Fashola
- Joseph Wayas
- Iyorchia Ayu
- Anyim Pius Anyim
- Adolphus Wabara
- Peter Odili
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
- Ogbonaya Onu
- Joy Emodi
- Florence Ita Giwa
- Rochas Okorocha
- Sullivan Chime
- Gbenga Daniel
- Adebayo Alao Akala
[edit] Human Right Activists
- Gani Fawehinmi
- Olisa Agbakoba
- Dele Giwa
- Aminu Kano
- Fela Kuti
- Beko Ransome-Kuti
- Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
- Olikoye Ransome-Kuti
- Femi Falana
- Ayodele Awojobi
[edit] Military
- Sani Abacha
- Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
- Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida
- Muhammadu Buhari
- Theophilus Danjuma
- Oladipo Diya
- Yakubu Gowon
- Tunde Idiagbon
- Murtala Mohammed
- Ike Nwachukwu
- Olusegun Obasanjo
- Paul Omu
- Dangiwa Umar
- Victor Malu
- Martin Luther Agwai
- Owoye Andrew Azazi
- Alexander Ogomudia
- Alwali Kazir
- Chris Alli
- Aliyu Mohammed Gusau
- Salihu Ibrahim
- Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu
- C. Odumegwu Ojukwu
[edit] Musicians
- Fela Kuti (1938–1997), pioneer of Afrobeat music, and Political Activist
- Aṣa, Singer and songwriter
- 9ice
- Femi Kuti
- I.K. Dairo
- Sir Victor Uwaifo
- King Sunny Ade
- Tunde Adebimpe of TV on the Radio
- Sade Adu, singer of Sade
- Dr. Alban, Sweden-based musician and producer
- Tunde Baiyewu (B-), former member Lighthouse Family now solo musician
- Adé Bantu
- Shirley Bassey
- Banky W.
- Naeto C, Stormz Rekords.
- Timi Dakolo, winner Idols West Africa, 2007, singer, song-writer, record producer
- D'banj
- Edoheart, singer, poet, butoh dancer, visual artist and performance artist
- 2Face Idibia
- Nneka (singer), Nigerian-German hip hop/soul singer and songwriter
- Lagbaja Afrobeat Singer-Songwriter, Instrumentalist, Producer, Multi-Award Winner
- Lemar Obika, Nigerian-British R&B singer and songwriter
- Ezebuiro Obinna, Leader of Oriental Brothers
- Kele Okereke of Bloc Party
- Ogbogu Okonji
- Orlando Owoh
- P-Square
- Seal (musician) two-time Grammy Award-winning English/Nigerian Soul Vocalist and
- Wunmi (Nigerian-British) singer; former dancer with Soul II Soul
- Taio Cruz (Nigerian-British) singer
- Jude Abaga M.I.
- Wale (rapper) (Nigerian-American) rapper
- Chamillionaire (Nigerian-American) rapper
- Tinie Tempah (Nigerian-British) singer
- Onyeka Onwenu
- Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
- Sikiru Adepoju, Musician
- Tyler the Creator (Nigerian-American) rapper
- Ruggedman
[edit] Actresses / Actors
- Pete Edochie, legendary African actor
- Nkem Owoh
- Patience Ozokwor
- Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
- Chioma Chukwuka, Actress
- Liz Benson, Actress
- Regina Askia, Actress
- Richard Mofe Damijo
- Ramsey Nouah, Actor
- Rita Dominic, Actress
- Megalyn Echikunwoke
- Chiwetel Ejiofor, actor
- Carmen Ejogo Actress
- Olu Jacobs, Actor
- Genevieve Nnaji, Actress, former Face of Lux
- Stephanie Okereke, Actress
- Sophie Okonedo, grammy nominated actress (Hotel Rwanda)
- Jim Iyke, Actor
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Nigerian-British Actor
- Hakeem Kae-Kazim
- Ini Edo
- Tonto Dikeh
- Mike Ezuruonye
- Oge Okoye
- Chinedu Ikedieze
- Osita Iheme
[edit] Artists
- Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy MBE, Nigerian born, Royal Portrait Artist, Public Speaker, UEA Hon. Doctorate
- Ndidi Dike - female artist
- Benedict Chuka Enwonwu MBE (Ben), Royal Sculpture Artist, Professor of fine arts, Government Advisor
- Chris Ofili Studied at Chelsea School of Art and The Royal College of Art, Turner Prize winner, creator of some controversial work.
- Yinka Shonibare MBE, work includes sculpture, painting, photography, and installation art
[edit] Media
- Babatunde Jose (1925–2008), journalist and newspaper editor, "grandfather of Nigerian journalism"
- Femi Oke, CNN international TV anchor
- Bobby Ologun, television personality in Japan and martial artist
[edit] Writers
- Chris Abani
- Chinua Achebe Man Booker prize winner 2007 with citation by Nadine Gordimer as 'Father of Modern African Literature'
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Orange Band prize winner 2007
- Elechi Amadi
- Cyprian Ekwensi
- Daniel O. Fagunwa
- Dan Fulani
- Abubakar Imam
- Uzodinma Iweala
- Okey Ndibe
- Gabriel Okara
- Ben Okri (born 1959), poet and novelist, Booker Prize winner 1995
- Ola Rotimi
- Ken Saro-Wiwa
- Wole Soyinka (born 1934), poet, playwright and novelists, awarded Nobel Prize in Literature 1986
- Amos Tutuola (1920–1997)
Further information: List of Nigerian poets
[edit] Businesspeople
- M. K. O. Abiola
- Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group
- Francis Edo-Osagie
- Shafi Edu
- Henry Fajemirokun
- Samuel Fawehinmi
- Cletus Ibeto
- Michael Ibru
- Anastasios George Leventis
- Adeola Odutola
- Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu
- Festus Okotie-Eboh
- Lawrence Omole
- C. T. Onyekwelu
- Bisoye Tejuoso
- Bamanga Tukur
- Ade Tuyo
- Mathias Ugochukwu
[edit] Religion
- Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, beatified by Pope John-Paul II
- Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer Redeemed Christian Church of God
- Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, a.k.a. Winner's Chapel and Chancellor of Covenant University
- Sheikh Dr. Abu-Abdullah Adelabu, Ph.D Damascus, Founder and Al-Amir (i.e.) President of Awqaf Africa and Awqaf Africa Muslim Open College, London, United Kingdom
- Peter Akinola, Anglican Primate of Nigeria
- Francis Arinze, Cardinal
- Matthew Ashimolowo, Kingsway International Christian Centre KICC London
- Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, founder Christ Apostolic Church, worldwide
- Samuel Ajayi Crowther
- Dominic Ekandem
- Sheikh Abubakar Gumi
- T.B. Joshua, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Lagos; Founder of Emmanuel TV
- David Obadiah Lot, Church of Christ
- Bimbo Odukoya, Fountain of Life Church, Lagos
- Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos
- Chris Okotie
- Chris Oyakhilome, Founder of Believers LoveWorld Incoporated, a.k.a Christ Embassy.
- Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky
- Prof. Wande Abimbola, Ifa Priest
- Archbishop Benson Idahosa, Church of God Mission International Benin City
[edit] Sportspeople
[edit] Soccer
- Peter Odemwingie- West Bromwich Albion
- Victor Anichebe - Everton F.C.
- Tunji Banjo
- Chibuzor Chilaka
- Christian Chukwu
- John Fashanu
- Nwankwo Kanu played in 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals
- Obafemi Martins - Wolfsburg
- Mikel Obi - Chelsea F.C.
- Segun Odegbami
- Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha (born 1973)
- Nedum Onuoha - Manchester City
- Yakubu - Blackburn Rovers
- Rashidi Yekini
- Joseph Yobo - Fernabache
- Garba Lawal
- Sani Kaita
- Oguchi Onyewu
[edit] Basketball
- Jayson Obazuaye
- Kelenna Azubuike - Golden State Warriors
- Yinka Dare - New Jersey Nets
- Obinna Ekezie - professional basketball player
- Emeka Okafor - New Orleans Hornets
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Michael Olowokandi (born 1975, in Lagos, Nigeria)
- Ime Udoka - San Antonio Spurs
- Mfon Udoka - Detroit Shock, Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks
- Andre Iguodala - Philadelphia 76ers
[edit] Athletics
- Chioma Ajunwa first Nigerian Olympic gold medalist
- Olusoji Fasuba Nigerian sprinter
- Phillips Idowu British triple jumper
- Richard Ihetu (Dick Tiger) former World middle weight boxing champion
- Francis Obikwelu Portuguese sprinter
- Samuel Peter WBC world heavy weight champion
[edit] American Football
- Victor Abiamiri - Philadelphia Eagles
- Victor Adeyanju - St. Louis Rams
- Devin Aromashodu - Minnesota Vikings
- Nnamdi Asomugha - Oakland Raiders
- Oshiomogho Atogwe - St. Louis Rams
- Brendon Ayanbadejo - Baltimore Ravens
- Akin Ayodele - Miami Dolphins
- Remi Ayodele - New Orleans Saints
- Isaiah Ekejiuba - Oakland Raiders
- Samkon Gado - St. Louis Rams
- Israel Idonije - Chicago Bears
- James Ihedigbo - New York Jets
- Kenny Iwebema - Arizona Cardinals
- Ade Jimoh - Washington Redskins
- Ovie Mughelli - Baltimore Ravens
- Chinedum Ndukwe - Cincinnati Bengals
- Ikechuku Ndukwe - Kansas City Chiefs
- Ogemdi Nwagbuo - San Diego Chargers
- Uche Nwaneri - Jacksonville Jaguars
- Ben Obomanu - Seattle Seahawks
- Chris Ogbonnaya - St. Louis Rams
- Adewale Ogunleye - Chicago Bears
- Frank Okam - Houston Texans
- Chike Okeafor - Arizona Cardinals
- Amobi Okoye - Houston Texans
- Christian Okoye - Kansas City Chiefs
- Frank Omiyale - Chicago Bears
- Kenny Onatolu - Minnesota Vikings
- Brian Orakpo - Washington Redskins
- Jeff Otah - Carolina Panthers
- B.J. Raji - Green Bay Packers
- Tony Ugoh - Indianapolis Colts
- Osi Umenyiora - New York Giants
[edit] Boxing
- Dick Tiger - former Ring world middleweight and light-heavyweight champion
- Hogan Bassey - former Ring world featherweight champion
- Samuel Peter - former WBC world heavyweight boxing champion
- Henry Akinwande - former WBO world heavyweight champion
- Ike Ibeabuchi - former WBC International Heavyweight champion
[edit] Mixed Martial Arts
- Muhammed Lawal - former Strikeforce world light-heavyweight champion
- Anthony Njokuani
[edit] International Models
- Agbani Darego - Winner of Miss World 2001
- Oluchi Onweagba - Winner Mnet face of Africa competition 1998
[edit] ICT Professionals
- Philip Emeagwali, 1989 Gordon Bell Prize winner
- Gbenga Sesan, Information Technology Youth Ambassador
[edit] Medicine and Science
- Olumbe Bassir - Biochemist and nutritionist
- Adeoye Lambo - Psychiatrist
- Eyitayo Lambo - Health Economist and Technocrat
[edit] References
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