List of Yoruba people

This is a list of notable Yoruba people.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Film and cinema

Nollywood

Actors and actresses

• Adebayo Salami (b. 1953), Nigerian actor, filmmaker, movie producer and director
• Aderounmu Adejumoke
• Adunni Ade
• Afeez Oyetoro
• Aisha Lawal
• Akin Ogungbe
• Antar Laniyan
• Aremu Afolayan
• Ayo Adesanya
• Ayo Makun
• Babatunde Omidina
• Bimbo Ademoye
• Bolaji Amusan
• Bukky Ajayi
• Bukky Wright
• Dele Odule
• Desmond Elliot
• Dorcas Shola Fapson
• Eniola Ajao
• Eniola Badmus
• Faithia Balogun
• Femi Adebayo
• Funke Akindele
• Funsho Adeolu
• Gabriel Afolayan
• Gbenro Ajibade, Nigerian actor, producer, model and presenter
• Gloria Bamiloye, dramatist, film actress, producer and director, co-founder of Mount Zion Drama Ministry
• Hakeem Kae-Kazim
• Iyabo Ojo (b. 1977), film actress, director and producer
• Jide Kosoko (b. 1954)
• Joke Silva (b. 1961), actress, director and businesswoman
• Kareem Adepoju
• Kunle Remi
• Lateef Adedimeji (b. 1986), actor, film-maker, producer and director
• Mike Bamiloye (b. 1960), actor, dramatist, producer and director
• Mosun Filani, film and voice actress
• Moji Afolayan (b. 1968), actress, film-maker, producer and director
• Moji Olaiya (1975-2017), Nigerian actress
• Muyiwa Ademola
• Mr Macaroni
• Nike Peller
• Odunlade Adekola
• Oga Bello (b. 1953)
• Olaniyi Afonja
• Olu Jacobs
• Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
• Ramsey Nouah
• Saheed Balogun
• Sola Sobowale
• Shaffy Bello
• Taiwo Hassan
• Toyin Abraham
• Toyin Afolayan (b. 1959), popularly known as Lola Idije, actress
• Toyin Raji (b. 1972), beauty pageant titleholder
• Wole Ojo
• Yewande Adekoya (b. 1984), actress, film-maker, director and producer
• Yinka Quadri (b. 1959), actor, film-maker, producer and director

Writers and directors

• Biyi Bandele (1967–2022), novelist, playwright and filmmaker
• Kemi Adesoye, screenwriter
• Kemi Adetiba (b. 1980), filmmaker, television director, music video director
• Kunle Afolayan (b. 1974), actor, film producer and director
• Meji Alabi
• Oyin Adejobi (1926–2000), dramatist and actor
• Tomi Adeyemi (b. 1993), Nigerian-American novelist and creative writing coach
• Tunde Kelani (b. 1948), filmmaker, storyteller, photographer, director and producer

Non-Nollywood

• Adepero Oduye
• Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
• Alex Lanipekun
• Ariyon Bakare
• Damson Idris
• David Oyelowo
• Dayo Okeniyi
• Gbenga Akinnagbe
• Hakeem Kae-Kazim
• Isaach de Bankolé
• KSI
• John Boyega
• Richard Ayoade
• Rotimi
• Toks Olagundoye
• Sope Aluko
• Rick Famuyiwa
• Femi Emiola

Academics

• Akinwumi Ogundiran (b. 1966), archaeologist, historian, anthropologist, author of The Yoruba: A New History
• Bolaji Akinyemi (b. 1942), Nigerian professor of political science who was Nigeria External Affairs Minister in 1985-1987
• Bolanle Awe (b. 1933), Nigerian history professor
• Christopher Kolade (b. 1932), Nigerian diplomat and academic
• Hezekiah Ademola Oluwafemi (1919-1983), Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University from 1966 to 1975
• Isaac Folorunso Adewole (b. 1954), Nigerian professor of gynaecology and obstetrics
• Kofoworola Ademola (1913-2002), educationist, first black African woman to earn a degree from Oxford University
• Lola Akande (b. 1965), academic, author, public relations professional.
• Olanrewaju Fagbohun (b. 1966), academic, author, investor, professor of environmental law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria
• Orishatukeh Faduma
• Oyeronke Oyewumi, sociologist, gender scholar
• Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe (1949-2021), Nigerian professor of systems engineering, Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos
• Solomon Babalola
• Stephen Adebanji Akintoye (b. 1935), academic, historian and writer
• Toyin Falola (b. 1953), historian and professor of African studies
• Folahanmi Aina (b. 1984), Nigerian political scientist, international security analyst and researcher

Medicine

• Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (1956–2014), physician
• Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh (1933–1997), physician, educational administrator, professor of chemical pathology
• Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi (1910–1971), first woman to practise as a physician in Nigeria
• Latunde Odeku (1927–1974), neurosurgeon
• Olikoye Ransome-Kuti (1927–2003), paediatrician, activist and health minister of Nigeria
• Oni Akerele (d. 1983), Nigeria's first indigenous surgeon
• Orisadipe Obasa (1863–1940), doctor and prince

Journalism and the media

• Adeola Fayehun (b. 1984), journalist
• Abraham Adesanya (1922–2008), Nigerian politician, lawyer, activist, welfarist and liberal progressive
• Dele Giwa (1947–1986), journalist, editor and founder of Newswatch magazine
• Dele Momodu (b. 1960), journalist/publisher, businessman and motivational speaker
• Dotun Adebayo (b. 1960), British radio presenter, writer and publisher
• Femi Adesina, journalist
• Femi Oke (b. 1966), British television presenter and journalist
• Henry Dele Alake
• Kayode Soyinka
• Kehinde Bankole (b. 1985), actress, model and television host
• Kitoye Ajasa (1866–1937), Nigerian lawyer and legislator during the colonial period, first Nigerian to be knighted
• Laolu Akande
• Laura Ikeji
• Mosunmola Abudu (b. 1964), Nigerian media mogul and philanthropist
• Oluremi Oyo (1952-2014), Nigerian veteran journalist
• Omoyele Sowore (b. 1971), Nigerian human rights activist, founder of an online news agency Sahara Reporters
• Reuben Abati (b. 1965), journalist, politician, television anchor and newspaper columnist
• Seun Osewa (b. 1982), Nigerian internet entrepreneur
• Tolu Ogunlesi (b. 1982), Nigerian journalist, poet, photographer, fiction writer and blogger

Visual arts

Artists

• Laolu Senbanjo (b. 1982), Nigerian visual artist, musician, singer/songwriter and former human rights attorney
• Aina Onabolu (1882–1963), pioneering Nigerian modern arts teacher and painter
• Ibiyinka Alao (b. 1975), Nigerian American artist, architect, writer, film director and musical theater composer
• Kehinde Wiley
• Nike Davies-Okundaye (b. 1951), Nigerian batik and adire textile designer
• Olowe of Ise (c. 1873 – c. 1938), wood sculptor
• Yusuf Grillo (1934-2021), Nigerian painter

Photography

• Bayo Omoboriowo (b. 1987), Nigerian photojournalist and documentary photographer
• Lola Akinmade Åkerström. photographer and travel writer
• Rotimi Fani-Kayode (1955–1989), Nigerian-born photographer
• TY Bello

Politics and administration

Politics

• Abayomi Kinyomi (1992–1993), Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Third Republic
• Adebayo Salami (1951–2021), Senator, chieftain of All Progressives Congress
• Adekunle Fajuyi (1926–1966), first military governor of Western Region, Nigeria
• Adeyemo Alakija (1884–1952), lawyer, politician, businessman, president of Egbe Omo Oduduwa
• Akinwunmi Ambode (b. 1963), Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria from 2015 to 2019
• Ayodele Fayose (b. 1960), Governor of Ekiti State
• Babajide Sanwo-Olu (b. 1965), Governor of Lagos State from 2019
• Babalola Borisade (1946–2017), Federal Minister of Nigeria
• Babatunde Fashola (b. 1963), lawyer and politician, former Governor of Lagos State
• Benjamin Adekunle (1936–2014), Nigerian Army Brigadier
• Bola Ige (1930–2001), lawyer and politician
• Bola Tinubu (b. 1952), President of Nigeria and national leader of All Progressives Congress
• Bukola Saraki (b. 1962), 13th President of the Senate of Nigeria
• Christopher Omoworare Babajide (b. 1968), Nigerian politician
• Desmond Elliot (b. 1974), Nigerian actor, director and politician
• Dolapo Osinbajo
• Dipo Dina (1960–2010), politician, philanthropist, administrator
• Ernest Shonekan (1936-2022), Nigerian lawyer and statesman
• Femi Fani-Kayode (b. 1960), Nigerian politician, essayist, poet and lawyer
• Femi Gbaja Biamila (b. 1962), Nigerian lawyer
• Femi Hamzat (b. 1964), Nigerian politician
• Folorunsho Coker (b 1965) Nigerian politician
• Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (b. 1952), Nigerian senator and retired custom officer
• Frederick Fasehun (1935–2018), Nigerian medical doctor, hotel owner and politician
• Funsho Williams (1948–2006), politician from Lagos State
• Gbenga Daniel (b. 1956), Nigerian politician, Governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011
• Gboyega Oyetola (b. 1954), 9th Governor of Osun State
• Herbert Macaulay (1864–1946), Nigerian nationalist, politician, surveyor, engineer, architect, journalist and musician
• Ibikunle Amosun (b. 1958), Nigerian politician, Governor of Ogun State from 2011 to 2019
• Joseph Fadahunsi
• Kayode Fayemi (b. 1935), Nigerian politician, Governor of Ekiti State
• Kofo Abayomi (1896–1979), Nigerian ophthalmologist and politician
• Lawan Gwadabe (b. 1949), Military Administrator of Niger State from 1987 to 1992
• Lola Young
• M.K.O. Abiola
• Mudashiru Obasa
• Nicolas Grunitzky
• Oladipo Diya
• Obafemi Awolowo
• Olu Falae
• Oluremi Tinubu
• Olusegun Aganga
• Olusegun Mimiko
• Olusegun Obasanjo
• Olusegun Oni
• Yemi Osinbajo
• Oyinkansola Abayomi
• Rauf Aregbesola
• Rotimi Akeredolu
• Samuel Akintola
• Seyi Makinde
• Thomas Boni Yayi
• Alhaji Abdul Azeez Kolawole Adeyemo
• Tunde Idiagbon
• Bode Thomas
• Rotimi Akeredolu
• Olusegun Mimiko
• Victor Adebowale (b. 1962), People's peer, current chair of the NHS Confederation
• Yemi Osinbajo (b. 1957), Nigerian lawyer and politician, Vice-President of Nigeria since 2015
• Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, officer of the Nigerian Army, Governor of Western Region

Administration

• Akinwumi Adesina (b. 1960), President of African Development Bank since 2015
• Joseph Oladele Sanusi (b. 1938), Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 1999 to 2004
• Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu (b. 1960), fifth President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization
• Oye Owolewa (b. 1989), Nigerian-American pharmacist and politician
• Kemi Badenoch (b. 1980), Secretary of State for Business and Trade, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Wally Adeyemo (b. 1981), Deputy Treasury Secretary, United States of America

African diaspora

Brazil

• Cândido da Fonseca Galvão (1845-1890), military officer and nobleman
• Osifekunde
• Pacifico Licutan

Canada

• Thomas Peters

Cuba

• Carlota (d. in battle in 1844), one of the leaders of the slave rebellion in the Triunvirato plantation
• José Antonio Aponte (c. 1760 - 1812), leader of the Aponte conspiracy

Suriname

• Johannes Alabi

Trinidad and Tobago

• Victor Pascall (1886–1930), cricketer

United States

• Oluwale Kossola (Cudjoe Lewis)
• Matilda McCrear
• Redoshi (Sally Smith)
• Scipio Vaughan (1784-1840), artisan and slave, inspired Back-to-Africa movement

Aristocrats

Monarchs

• Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni Ojikutujoye I (b. 1958), Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo
• Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II (1950–2013), traditional ruler of the Akure Kingdom
• Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III (b. 1943), Alake of Egbaland
• Adeniji Adele (1893–1964), Oba of Lagos
• Adesoji Aderemi (1889–1980), Ooni of Ife
• Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (b. 1974), Ooni of Ile-Ife
• Adeyinka Oyekan (1911–2003), second Christian Oba of Lagos
• Ajaka, Oyo Emperor
• Ajimudaoro Aladesanmi I (r. 1886–1910), Ewi of Ado Ekiti
• Daniel Aladesanmi II (1902–1983), Ewi of Ado Ekiti
• Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III (1941–2019)
• Fredrick Kumokun Adedeji Haastrup (1820–1901), Oba Obokun of Ilesa, first Christian Oba of Yorubaland
• Ladapo Ademola (1872–1962), Alake of Abeokuta
• Lamidi Adeyemi (b. 1938–2022), Alaafin of Oyo
• Moremi Ajasoro (12th century), legendary queen and folk heroine of the Yoruba people
• Oba, Orisha of the river Oba
• Oduduwa, divine king, according to tradition, first Ooni of Ife (r. c. 1100 AD), ancestor of many dynasties
• Olagbegi Atanneye I (r. 1913–1938), paramaunt ruler of Owo Kingdom
• Olagbegi Atanneye II
• Olateru Olagbegi I (r. 1913–1938)
• Olateru Olagbegi II (1910–1998)
• Olubuse II (1930–2015), traditional ruler of Ife
• Oranyan, legendary founder of Oyo
• Orompoto (16th century), female Alaafin of Oyo
• Oshun
• Osupa
• Oya
• Oyekan I
• Rilwan Akiolu
• Rufus Aladesanmi III
• Samuel Akinsanya
• Shango
• Sikiru Kayode Adetona (b. 1934), Awujale of the Ijebu Kingdom

• Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi (b. 1926 - 2021) Soun of Ogbomosho

Chiefs and princes

* Abibatu Mogaji (1916–2013), business magnate

• Abiola Dosunmu
• Adeniran Ogunsanya
• Afe Babalola
• Bisoye Tejuoso
• Christopher Sapara Williams
• Efunroye Tinubu
• Efunsetan Aniwura (c. 1820s - 1874), second Iyalode of Ibadan, slavetrader
• G.B.A. Coker, (1917-1991), Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
• Gaha (fl. 18 century), leader of the military in the Oyo Empire
• Gani Adams (b. 1970), activist, politician and the 15th Aare Ono Kakanfo of Yorubaland
• Henry Fajemirokun, (1926-1978), trade unionist, industrialist and philanthropist
• H.O. Davies (1905-1989), lawyer, journalist, trade unionist, thought leader and politician
• John Otunba Payne (1839–1906), Nigerian sheriff, administrator and diarist
• MKO Abiola
• Moses Majekodunmi
• Oluyole
• Oguntola Sapara
• Richard Akinjide
• Roseline Osipitan
• Sara Forbes Bonetta
• Sunday Igboho
• Tejumade Alakija
• T.O.S. Benson
• Yemi Elebuibon
• Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon

Sports

Football (soccer)

• Abdulwaheed Afolabi
• Adebayo Adeleye (b. 2000), goalkeeper
• Adebayo Akinfenwa
• Ademola Lookman
• Arnaut Danjuma
• Asisat Oshoala
• Ayila Yussuf
• Babajide Collins Babatunde
• Best Ogedegbe
• Brian Fok
• Bukayo Saka
• David Alaba
• Dele Adeleye
• Dele Aiyenugba
• Dele Ajiboye
• Dele Alli
• Dominic Solanke
• Emmanuel Adebayor
• Eniola Aluko
• Femi Ajilore
• Fikayo Tomori
• Folarin Balogun
• Funso Ojo
• Ibraheem Jabaar
• Jamal Musiala
• Jamil Muhammad
• Jodel Dossou
• John Fashanu
• Junior Ajayi (b. 1996), Nigerian professional footballer
• Junior Olaitan (b. 2002), Beninese professional footballer
• Karim Adeyemi (b. 2002), German professional footballer
• Kevin Schade (b. 2001), German professional footballer
• Leon Balogun (b. 1988), defender for the Nigeria national football team
• Manuel Akanji (b. 1995), Swiss professional footballer
• Mathieu Adeniyi (b. 1987), Beninese football player
• Michael Obafemi (b. 2000), Irish professional footballer
• Mohammed Nur (b. 2002), Nigerian international footballer who plays as a striker
• Mudashiru Lawal (1954-1991), Nigerian footballer who played as a midfielder
• Nathan Delfouneso
• Nathan Tella (b. 1999), English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder
• Olufolasade Adamolekun
• Omar Sowunmi
• Obafemi Martins (b. 1984), Nigerian professional footballer
• Patrick Owomoyela (b. 1979), German former professional footballer
• Peter Odemwingie (b. 1981), retired Nigerian professional footballer who played as a forward and a winger
• Rabiu Afolabi
• Rasheedat Ajibade
• Rasheed Yekini (1963-2012), Nigerian professional footballer who played as a striker
• Razak Omotoyossi (b. 1985), Beninese professional footballer
• Sammy Ameobi
• Saturnin Allagbé (b. 1993), player for the Benin national football team
• Sheyi Ojo
• Segun Odegbami (b. 1952), Nigerian former professional footballer who played as forward
• Simon Sohm
• Sone Aluko
• Shola Ameobi (b. 1981), Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a striker
• Steve Mounie
• Taiwo Awoniyi
• Taye Taiwo (b. 1985), Nigerian professional footballer
• Thomas Sowunmi
• Tobi Jnohope, footballer
• Tobi Sho-Silva (b. 1995), English professional footballer
• Tosin Adarabioyo (b. 1997), English professional footballer
• Tosin Aiyegun
• Yakubu Aiyegbeni (b. 1982), Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a striker

Football coaches

• Festus Onigbinde (b. 1938), Nigerian football manager
• Segun Odegbami (b. 1952), Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward
• Yemi Tella (c. 1951 - 2007), coach of the Nigerian football team

Basketball

• A. J. Edu
• Alex Antetokounmpo
• Bam Adebayo
• Gani Oladimeji Lawal Jr.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Hakeem Olajuwon
• Kostas Antetokounmpo (b. 1997), Greek professional basketball player
• Michael Olowokandi (b. 1975), Nigerian former professional basketball player
• Olu Famutimi (b. 1984), Canadian professional basketball player
• Thanasis Antetokounmpo (b. 1992), Greek professional basketball player
• Victor Oladipo (b. 1992), American professional basketball player

Combat sports

• Anthony Joshua (b. 1989), British professional boxer and two-time former unified world heavyweight champion
• Israel Adesanya (b. 1989), Nigerian-born New Zealand professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and former professional boxer
• Benny Adegbuyi (b. 1985), Romanian kickboxer and professional boxer
• Muhammed Lawal (b. 1981), American professional wrestler and retired mixed martial artist
• Ola Afolabi (b. 1980), British professional boxer

Volleyball

• Foluke Akinradewo (b. 1987), indoor volleyball player

American football

• Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (b. 1977), former American football defensive end

Ice hockey

• Jarome Iginla

Track and field athletes

• Daley Thompson
• Femi Ogunode
• Karim Olowu
• Olabisi Afolabi (b. 1975), retired track and field athlete from Nigeria
• Oludamola Osayomi
• Olusoji Fasuba (b. 1984), Nigerian sprinter
• Tobi Amusan (b. 1997), Nigerian hurdler who also competes as a sprinter. World record holder in the 100m hurdles.
• Yakubu Adesokan (b. 1979), Nigerian powerlifter

• Kriss Akabusi (b. 1958), track and field athlete, Olympic, Commonwealth Games, and European Championships medal winner, 400m hurdle record holder

Squash and Table tennis

• Segun Toriola (b. 1974), Nigerian professional table tennis player

Music

African

Pre-2000s

• Abass Akande Obesere (b. 1965), Fuji musician
• Adewale Ayuba
• Angélique Kidjo
• Ayinla Kollington
• Ayo Bankole
• Bola Are
• Dunni Olanrewaju
• Ebenezer Obey
• Funmi Aragbaye
• Haruna Ishola
• Fatai Rolling Dollar
• Fela Kuti
• Hubert Ogunde
• I. K. Dairo
• K1 De Ultimate (b. 1957), Nigerian fuji musician
• King Sunny Adé
• Lagbaja
• Lara George
• Majek Fashek
• Mega 99
• Ojo Ade
• Orlando Owoh
• Saheed Osupa
• Sikiru Ayinde Barrister
• Shina Peters
• Sunny Ade
• Wasiu Alabi Pasuma
• Yinka Ayefele
• Yusuf Olatunji (1905-1978), Nigerian Sakara drum player

Post-2000s

• 9ice (b. 1980), Nigerian musician, songwriter and dancer
• Adekunle Gold (b. 1987), Nigerian highlife singer, songwriter and graphic designer
• Aramide (b. 1985), Nigerian afro-soul singer and songwriter
• Aṣa
• Asake
• Ayọ
• Ayo Jay
• Ayra Starr
• Barry Jhay
• Bella Shmurda
• Brymo
• CDQ
• Chinko Ekun
• D'banj
• Davido
• DJ Cuppy
• Dotman
• Eedris Abdulkareem
• eLDee
• Falz
• Femi Kuti
• Femi Leye
• Fireboy DML
• Jaywon
• JME
• Joeboy
• KSI (Born in Watford, London, United Kingdom, has Yoruba ethnicity)
• Kizz Daniel
• Korede Bello
• Ladipoe
• L.A.X
• Laycon (b. 1993), Nigerian media personality, rapper, singer and songwriter
• Lil Kesh (b. 1994), Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter
• Little Simz
• Lojay
• Lyta
• Maleek Berry (b. 1987), British-Nigerian record producer and recording artist
• Mayorkun (b. 1994), Nigerian singer, songwriter and pianist
• MohBad
• Mr Eazi
• Mz Kiss
• Naira Marley
• Niniola
• Odunsi the Engine
• Olamide
• Olu Maintain
• Oxlade (singer)
• Qdot
• Queen Fumi
• Reekado Banks
• Reminisce
• Ruger
• Seun Kuti
• Seyi Shay
• Skepta
• Shola Allyson
• Simi
• Small Doctor
• Sound Sultan
• Taio Cruz
• Tems
• Teni
• Tiwa Savage
• Tope Alabi
• Wale
• Wande Coal
• Wizkid
• Yemi Alade
• Yinka Ayefele
• Ycee (b. 1993), Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter
• Zeynab
• Zlatan (b. 1994), Nigerian singer, songwriter, musician and dancer

Directors and DJs

• Clarence Peters
• DJ Cuppy
• DJ Caise, Nigerian disc jockey
• DJ Jimmy Jatt (b. 1966), Nigerian disc jockey
• DJ Neptune (b. 1990), Nigerian disc jockey and record producer
• DJ Spinall (b. 1984), Nigeriand disc jockey, record producer, songwriter, label executive and media personality
• DJ Xclusive (b. 1980), Nigerian disc jockey, recorder producer and recording artist
• DJ Tunez
• D'Tunes
• Kiddominant (b. 1992), Nigerian recording producer, songwriter and artist
• Pheelz (b. 1994), Nigerian record producer and songwriter

Diaspora

• August Agbola O'Browne
• Babatunde Olatunji
• Chamillionaire
• Ibeyi
• Jme
• Kevin Olusola
• Keziah Jones
• Labi Siffre
• Lola Falana
• Mo Jamil (b. 1995), English singer
• Rotimi
• Sade Adu
• Seal
• Skepta
• Taio Cruz
• Tosin Abasi
• Tunde Baiyewu (b. 1965), British singer
• Wale (b. 1984), American rapper

Modelling and fashion

• Deola Sagoe
• Yetunde Barnabas (b. 1990), Nigerian model, beauty queen, actress and film producer

Science and technology

• Ayodele Awojobi (1937-1984), Nigerian academic, author, inventor, social crusader and activist
• Babatunde Ogunnaike (b. 1956), American chemical engineer
• Ilesanmi Adesida (b. 1949), Nigerian American physicist
• John Dabiri, Nigerian-American aeronautics engineer
• Kunle Olukotun, computer scientist
• Kofo Akinkugbe
• Olusegun Adewoye (1947-2015), researcher in ceramics science and engineering, physical metallurgy and corrosion engineering
• Oye Gureje (b, 1952), Nigerian psychiatrist
• Soni Oyekan
• T. M. Aluko (1918-2010), Nigerian writer and engineer
• Winston Wole Soboyejo (b. 1964), American materials scientist

Theatre

• Akpororo, Nigerian stand-up comedian, vocalist and actor
• Abiodun Duro-Ladipo (b. 1941), Nigerian actress and singer
• Gbenga Adeboye (1959-2003), Nigerian singer, comedian, radio presenter and master of ceremony
• Koffi Idowu Nuel (b. 1977), Nigerian entertainer, comedian, musician and actor
• Taaooma (b. 1999), Nigerian comedian, content creator, cinematographer and social media influencer

Shank Comics, Nigerian comedian

Online influencers

• Jackie Aina
• KSI (b. 1993), British YouTuber, singer, songwriter and rapper
• Tobi Brown
• Stephanie Coker
• Deji
• Niko Omilana
• Bobrisky (b. 1991)’ Social Media Influencer

Military

• Abayomi Olonisakin (b. 1961), retired Nigerian General, former Chief of Defence Staff
• Adekunle Fajuyi (1926-1966), first military Governor of the former Western Region, Nigeria
• Adesola Nunayon Amosu
• Akinloye Akinyemi
• Babatunde Elegbede
• Benjamin Adekunle
• David Bamigboye
• Kayode Are
• Michael Bamidele Otiko
• Oladipo Diya
• Olagunsoye Oyinlola
• Olusegun Obasanjo
• Suraj Abdurrahman
• Theophilus Bamigboye
• Tolulope Arotile
• Tunde Idiagbon
• Victor Banjo (1930-1967), Colonel in the Nigerian army, accused of being a coup-plotter

Business people

• Adebayo Ogunlesi
• Adebola Adesola
• Antonio Deinde Fernandez
• Bola Shagaya
• Candido da Rocha
• Chief E. O. Ashamu
• Femi Otedola
• Fola Adeola
• Folorunsho Alakija
• Funke Opeke
• Hannah Awolowo
• Kase Lawal
• Maya Horgan Famodu
• Mike Adenuga
• Molade Okoya-Thomas
• Razaq Okoya

Religion

Christianity

Anglican

• Isaac Oluwole, (1852-1932), Nigerian bishop of Sierra-Leonean and Egba heritage
• Peter Akinola (b. 1944), former Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria
• Samuel Ajayi Crowther (c. 1809 - 1891), Yoruba linguist and first African Anglican Bishop of West Africa
• Samuel Johnson
• Seth Kale

Catholic

• Anthony Olubunmi Okogie
• John Onaiyekan
• Matthew Kukah
• Felix Femi Ajakaye
• G.J. Afolabi Ojo

Pentecostal

• Daniel Olukoya
• David Oyedepo
• E.A. Adeboye
• Eunice Olawale
• Gabriel Olutola
• Matthew Ashimolowo
• Sunday Adelaja
• T. B. Joshua
• Tunde Bakare
• Joseph Ayo Babalola
• Timothy Oluwole Obadare
• W.F. Kumuyi

Other

Samuel Oshoffa (1909-1985), founder of the Celestial Church of Christ

Islam

• Abu-Abdullah Adelabu
• Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory (1917-1992), Benin-Nigerian Islamic Scholar

Yoruba Religion

• Yemi Elebuibon
• Wande Abimbola (b. 1932), religious leader, university professor and politician

Law, activism and advocacy

• G.B.A. Coker
• Abiodun Williams
• Adetokunbo Ademola
• Afe Babalola
• Augustus Molade Akiwumi
• Beko Ransome-Kuti
• Bola Ajibola
• Femi Falana
• Frederick Rotimi Williams
• Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
• Gani Fawehinmi
• Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim
• Kayode Eso
• Sunday Igboho
• Taslim Olawale Elias
• Yemisi Ransome-Kuti
• Zuriel Oduwole

Writers

Yorùbá language

• Adebayo Faleti (1921-2017), Nigerian poet, journalist, writer, Nollywood film director, actor, Africa's first stage play director
• Afolabi Olabimtan (1932-2003), Nigerian politician, writer and academic
• Akinwunmi Isola (1939-2018), Nigerian playwright, novelist, actor, dramatist, culture activist and scholar
• Bakare Gbadamosi (b. 1930), Yoruba poet, anthropologist and short story writer from Nigeria
• Daniel O. Fagunwa (1903-1963), Nigerian Yoruba author who pioneered the Yoruba language novel
• Duro Ladipo (1926-1978), Yoruba dramatist
• Isaac Delano
• Folahan Odunjo
• Obo Aba Hisanjani
• Olatubosun Oladapo
• Tade Ipadeola
• Wale Ogunyemi

English language

• Amos Tutuola
• Bayo Ojikutu
• Bernardine Evaristo
• Bim Adewunmi
• Biyi Bandele
• Bolu Babalola
• Femi Osofisan
• Funso Aiyejina
• Helen Oyeyemi
• Lola Shoneyin
• Natasha Bowen
• Ola Rotimi
• Olufemi Terry
• Pelu Awofeso
• Sophie Oluwole
• Tade Thompson
• Taiye Selasi
• Teju Cole
• Tolu Akinyemi
• Tolu' A Akinyemi
• Tomi Adeyemi
• Wole Soyinka