List of Nigerians

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)

Human Right Activists

• Gani Fawehinmi
• Olisa Agbakoba
• Dele Giwa
• Aminu Kano
• Fela Kuti
• Beko Ransome-Kuti
• Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
• Olikoye Ransome-Kuti

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

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

Actresses / Actors

• 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

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
• Bruce Onobrakpeya MFR printmaker, painter sculptor, modern installation artist, and inventor of writing style 2006 UNESCO Living Human Treasure Award, Honourable Mention at the 44th Venice Biennale

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

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

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

Religion

• 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.
• Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi
• Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky
• Prof. Wande Abimbola, Ifa Priest
• Archbishop Andy Isaiah, Church of God Mission International Benin City

Sportspeople

Soccer

• Peter Odemwingie- westbrom
• Victor Anichebe - Everton
• Tunji Banjo
• Chibuzor Chilaka
• Christian Chukwu
• John Fashanu
• Nwankwo Kanu played in 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals
• Obafemi Martins - Wolfsburg F.C.
• Mikel Obi - Chelsea F.C.
• Segun Odegbami
• Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha (born 1973)
• Nedum Onuoha - Manchester City
• Yakubu - Everton
• Rashidi Yekini
• Joseph Yobo - Everton
• Garba Lawal
• Sani Kaita
• Oguchi Onyewu

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

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

American Football

• Victor Abiamiri - Philadelphia Eagles
• Victor Adeyanju - St. Louis Rams
• Devin Aromashodu - Chicago Bears
• 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

International Models

• Agbani Darego - Winner of Miss World 2001
• Oluchi Onweagba - Winner Mnet face of Africa competition 1998

ICT Professionals

• Philip Emeagwali, 1989 Gordon Bell Prize winner
• Gbenga Sesan, Information Technology Youth Ambassador

Medicine and Science

• Olumbe Bassir - Biochemist and nutritionist
• Adeoye Lambo - Psychiatrist
• Eyitayo Lambo - Health Economist and Technocrat