This is a list of notable

Nigerian people Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...

. It includes some but not all notable Nigerians.

Politicians

A–M

Abba Kyari Abba Kyari (23 September 1952 – 17 April 2020) was a Nigerian lawyer who served as Chief of Staff to the President of Nigeria from August 2015 to April 2020. Early life Kyari was born on 23 September 1952, to a Shuwa Arab family fr ...

– late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari *

Abdulkadir Kure Abdulkadir Kure (26 February 1956 – 8 January 2017) was a Nigerian politician who served as Governor of Niger State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He was a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). In May 2000, he introduced ...

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (born 5 February 1960) is a Nigerian politician, who has served as governor of Kwara State since 2019. He was previously the CEO of First Fuels Limited. He contested unsuccessfully for the governor of Kwara State in 2003, 20 ...

Abdulsalami Abubakar Abdulsalami Abubakar (; born 13 June 1942) is a Nigerian statesman and retired Nigerian Army general who served as the ''de facto'' President of Nigeria from 1998 to 1999. He was also Chief of Defence Staff between 1997 and 1998. He succeede ...

Abiola Ajimobi Senator Isiaka Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi (16 December 1949 – 25 June 2020) was a Nigerian politician from Oyo State, south-western Nigeria. He was formerly the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil and Chemical Marketing ...

Abubakar Olusola Saraki Olusola Abubakar Saraki (17 May 1933 – 14 November 2012) was a Nigerian politician, who was a Senator in the Nigerian Second Republic (1979–1983). He was the holder of the chieftaincy title of the Waziri of the Ilorin Emirate, and belonged to ...

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (December 1912 – 15 January 1966) was a Nigerian politician who served as the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria upon independence. Early life Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in December 1912 in modern-day B ...

– prime minister of Nigeria * Adebayo Alao Akala *

Adolphus Wabara Adolphus Nduneweh Wabara (born 1 June 1948) is a Nigerian politician and diplomat who served as the 10th Senate President of Nigeria from 2003 to 2005. A pioneer member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Adolphus had previously been a me ...

Ahmadu Bello Ahmadu Ibrahim Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto (12 June 1910–15 January 1966), knighted as Sir Ahmadu Bello, was a conservative Nigerian statesman who masterminded Northern Nigeria through the independence of Nigeria in 1960 and served as its first a ...

* Ahmed Marafa *

Akanu Ibiam Akanu Ibiam (29 November 1906 - 1 July 1995), was a distinguished medical missionary who was appointed Governor of Eastern Region, Nigeria from December 1960 until January 1966 during the Nigerian First Republic. From 1919 to 1951, he was kno ...

Akinwunmi Ambode Akinwunmi Ambode (born 14 June 1963) is a Nigerian politician who served as Governor of Lagos State from 2015 to 2019. He was a civil servant for 27 years and a financial consultant before running for public office. Ambode ran for office of th ...

Alex Ekwueme Alexander Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme (21 October 1932 – 19 November 2017) was the first elected Vice President of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Nigerian Republic serving under President Shehu Shagari as a member of the National Pe ...

* Alhaji Yahaya Madawaki *

Alvan Ikoku Alvan Azinna Ikoku (August 1, 1900–November 18, 1971) was a Nigerian educationist, statesman, activist and politician. Life Born on August 1, 1900, in Amanagwu Arochukwu, present-day Abia State, from 1911 to 1914, he was educated at the Aro ...

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (born 10 January 1966) is a Nigerian politician who serves as the Governor of Sokoto State in Nigeria, having won election during the 2015 general elections and re-elected in the 2019 general elections. Tambuwal is a member ...

Anyim Pius Anyim Anyim Pius Anyim (born 19 February 1961) is a Nigerian politician who served as president of the Nigerian Senate from 2000 to 2003, he was Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) during Goodluck Jonathan presidency. He was elected a ...

Atiku Abubakar Atiku is a given name and surname. It may refer to: Given name *Atiku Abubakar (born 1946), Nigerian politician and businessman, Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 *Atikur Rahman Mallik, Bangladeshi film editor Middle name *Abubakar Atiku ...

* Augustine Ukattah *

Ayo Fayose Peter Ayodele Fayose (born 15 November 1960) is a Nigerian politician and the former Governor of Ekiti State. Early life Fayose grew up in Oyo State where he attended Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo. In 1985, He was admitted to a Higher N ...

Azuka Okwuosa Azuka Okwuosa (born 3 November 1959), is a Nigerian politician and engineer who served as the Anambra State Commissioner for Works and Transport from 1999 to 2001. He was a governorship aspirant in the 2021 Anambra State gubernatorial election ...

Babajide Sanwo-olu Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (born 25 June 1968) is a Nigerian politician and the current Governor of Lagos State. He became governor under the platform of the All Progressives Congress after contesting and unexpectedly winning the gubernatorial p ...

Babatunde Raji Fashola Babatunde Raji Fashola ( yo, Bàbátúndé Rájí Fáṣọlá; born 28 June 1963) is a Nigerian lawyer and politician currently serving as the Federal Minister of Works and Housing of Nigeria. He served two terms as Governor of Lagos State f ...

* Benjamin Kalu *

Bola Tinubu Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (born 29 March 1952) is a Nigerian accountant and politician who served as the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 and Senator for Lagos West during the brief Third Republic. In June 2022, he was chosen as the A ...

Bonaventure Enemali Bonaventure Enemali (born 21 June 1984), is a Nigerian politician and a former Anambra State Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Rural Development from 3 June 2019 to 17 March 2022, replacing Nnamdi Onukwuba. He is the founder of Expre ...

Bukola Saraki Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, (born on 19 December 1962) is a Nigerian politician. He was the 13th President of the Senate of Nigeria from 2015 to 2019 and Chair of the 8th Nigeria National Assembly. He was ...

Chike Obi Chike Obi (April 17, 1921 – March 13, 2008) was a Nigerian politician, mathematician and professor. The African Mathematics Union suggests that he was the first Nigerian to hold a doctorate in mathematics. Dr. Obi's early research dealt mainl ...

Chimaroke Nnamani Chimaroke Nnamani (born 30 May 1960) is a medical doctor and Nigerian politician from Enugu State. He was elected Governor of Enugu State in the 1999 Enugu State gubernatorial election from 1999 to 2007. He subsequently served as a People's De ...

Christopher Okojie Christopher G Okojie OFR DSc (1920-2006) was a Nigerian doctor, politician, administrator and historian. He was born in Ugboha, in present-day Edo State, Nigeria. He was leader of the Mid-West Regional House of Assembly from 1964 to 1966. He was a ...

Chuba Okadigbo Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo (17 December 1941 – 25 September 2003), was a Nigerians, Nigerian philosopher, academic, writer and political scientist. He served as President of the Senate of Nigeria, Senate president of Nigeria from 1999 to 20 ...

Cornelius Adebayo Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo is a former Senator of Nigeria, who became a state governor, and later was head of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Communications. Background Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo was born on February 24, 1941 in Igbaja in Kwa ...

Dangiwa Umar Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (born 21 September 1949) was governor of Kaduna state in Nigeria from August 1985 to June 1988 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. After retiring from the army in 1993, he became a social critic and the f ...

Dave Umahi David Nweze Umahi CON (born July 25, 1964) better known as Dave Umahi is a Nigerian politician who is currently serving as the Governor of Ebonyi State. Early life and education Umahi was born 25 July 1964. He is the son of Elder Joseph Uma ...

David Mark David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark , is a retired Nigerian Army Brigadier General and politician. He was President of the Senate of Nigeria from 2007 to 2015 and was the Senator for Benue South Senatorial District Benue State. He is a member of the ...

Dennis Osadebay Dennis Chukude Osadebay (29 June 1911 — 26 December 1994) was a Nigerian politician, poet, journalist and former premier of the now defunct Mid-Western Region of Nigeria, which now comprises Edo and Delta State. He was one of the pion ...

Desmond Elliot Desmond Elliot'' (born Desmond Oluwashola Elliot; 4 February 1974)'' is a Nigerian director, and politician He was elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, in the 11 April 2015 Nigerian General Election ...

Dimeji Bankole Sabur Oladimeji "Dimeji" Bankole (born 14 November 1969) is a Nigerian politician who served as the 9th Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria. Elected at the age of 37, Bankole is the youngest Speaker in the history of the House an ...

Dora Akunyili Dora Nkem Akunyili (14 July 1954 – 7 June 2014) was the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria from 2001 to 2008. Early life and education Dora Edemobi was born in Makurdi, ...

Ernest Shonekan Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan (9 May 1936 – 11 January 2022) was a Nigerian lawyer and statesman who served as the interim Head of State of Nigeria from 26 August 1993 to 17 November 1993. He was titled Abese of Egbaland from ...

Evan Enwerem Evan Enwerem (29 October 1935 – 2 August 2007) was a Nigerian politician who served as President of the Nigerian Senate in 1999. He was a member of the People's Democratic Party. Early life Evan Enwerem was born in Ikeduru, Imo State, Nigeria ...

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (born 13 December 1967), is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who is the sixth and current Governor of Rivers State. He is an Ikwerre from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State. He is a member of the People's Democratic ...

Fela Kuti Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997), also known as Abami Eda, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the p ...

Festus Okotie-Eboh Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh (18 July 1912 – 15 January 1966) was a Nigerian politician and Minister of Finance during the administration of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Okotie-Eboh was born to an Itsekiri Chief, Prince Okotie Eboh in Warri Division, ...

Florence Ita Giwa Florence Ita Giwa (born 19 February 1946) is a Nigerian politician, who was the Senator for the Cross River South Senatorial District of Cross River State. She attended the Kilburn Polytechnic in London, United Kingdom. She became a nurse, th ...

* Franca Afegbua *

Gbenga Daniel Gbenga Daniel (born 6 April 1956) is a Nigerian politician and Governor of Ogun State of Nigeria from 29 May 2003 to 29 May 2011. He is the owner of Kresta Laurel, an Electro-mechanical Engineering company, he started in 1990. He is also the F ...

Ghali Umar Na'Abba Ghali Umar Na'Abba (born 27 September 1958) is a Nigerian politician and former Speaker of the House. Background Ghali Umar Na’Abba CFR was born into the family of Alhaji Umar Na’Abba, a businessman in Tudun Wada, Kano City, Kano Municip ...

* Godwin Obaseki *

Goodluck Jonathan Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (born 20 November 1957)Lawson Heyford, ''The Source'' (Lagos), 11 December 2006. is a Nigerian politician who served as the President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. He lost the 2015 presidential election to fo ...

Herbert Macaulay Olayinka Herbert Samuel Heelas Badmus Macaulay (14 November 1864 – 7 May 1946) was a Nigerian nationalist, politician, surveyor, engineer, architect, journalist, and musician and is considered by many Nigerians as the founder of Nige ...

Ibrahim Babangida Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (born 17 August, 1941) is a retired Nigerian Army general and politician. He served as military president of Nigeria from 1985 until his resignation in 1993. He rose through the ranks to serve from 1984 to 1985 as Ch ...

Ike Ekweremadu Ike Ekweremadu (born 12 May 1962) is a Nigerian politician and lawyer from Enugu State who has served in the Senate of Nigeria since May 2003. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party, and was the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate f ...

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, is a Nigerian politician and businesswoman. She was the director-general of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP from 1 December 2020 till 27 May 2021, when the Nigerian President, Muhammad ...

Isa Mohammed Bagudu Isa Mohammed Bagudu (born 1948) is a Nigerian politician who was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent the Niger South constituency in April 1999, and was reelected in April 2003. Born in 1948 of Nupe origins, his father Waziri Bagudu wa ...

Iyorchia Ayu Iyorchia Ayu (born 15 November 1952) is a Nigerian politician; he is the current Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee. A former Nigerian Senator, he was elected President of the Senate during the Nigerian Thir ...

Jaja Wachuku Jaja Anucha Wachuku (1 January 1918 – 7 November 1996), a Royal family, Royal Prince of Ngwaland, "descendant of 20 generations of African Eze, chiefs in the Igbo country of Eastern Nigeria," was a Pan-Africanist, and a Nigerian politician, ...

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi (3 March 1924 – 29 July 1966) was the first military head of state of Nigeria. He seized power during the ensuing chaos after the 15 January 1966 military coup, which decapitated the country's leadersh ...

Joseph Wayas Joseph Wayas (21 May 1941 – 30 November 2021) was Nigeria's Senate President during the Nigerian Second Republic (1979–1983). Background Wayas was born in Basang, Obudu, Cross River State on 21 May 1941 and attended the Dennis Memorial Gram ...

Joy Emodi Joy Emodi (born 23 May 1955) was elected Senator for the Anambra North constituency of Anambra State, Nigeria, taking office on 20 February 2005 after the election oEmmanuel Anosikewas annulled. She was re-elected in 2007, but her second elec ...

* K.O. Mbadiwe *

Kayode Fayemi John Olukayode Fayemi (born 9 February 1965) is a Nigerian politician who served as Governor of Ekiti State from 2018 to 2022. He previously served in office between 2010 and 2014 before losing re-election to Ayodele Fayose. He was also the M ...

Ken Nnamani Ken Ugwu Nnamani (born 2 November 1948) is a Nigerian politician who was President of the Senate of Nigeria from 2005 to 2007. A member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), he was elected to the Senate from Enugu East Senatorial District of Enu ...

Margaret Ekpo Chief Margaret Ekpo (27 July 1914 – 21 September 2006) was a Nigerian women's rights activist and social mobilizer who was a pioneering female politician in the country's First Republic and a leading member of a class of traditional Nigerian ...

Michael Okpara Michael Iheonukara Okpara (25 December 1920 – 17 December 1984) was a Nigerian politician and Premier of Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic, from 1959 to 1966. At 39, he was the nation's youngest Premier. He was a strong advocate of wh ...

* Mohammed Mustapha Namadi *

Moshood Abiola Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola , also known as M. K. O. Abiola (24 August 1937 – 7 July 1998) was a Nigerian businessman, publisher, and politician. He was the Aare Ona Kankafo XIV of Yorubaland and an aristocrat of the Egba clan. M.K.O ...

Muhammadu Buhari Muhammadu Buhari (born 17 December 1942) is a Nigerian politician and current president of Nigeria since 2015. Buhari is a retired Nigerian Army major general who served as the country's military head of state from 31 December 1983 to 27 Au ...

Murtala Mohammed Murtala Ramat Muhammad (8 November 1938 – 13 February 1976) was a Nigerian general who led the 1966 Nigerian counter-coup in overthrowing the Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi military regime and featured prominently during the Nigerian Civil War ...

Musa Babayo Musa Babayo (born 21 March 1957) is a Nigerian banker, businessman, politician, and elder states-man who was the National Secretary of the PDP National Working Committee from 2012 to 2015 prior to joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) on ...

N–Z

* Naja'atu Bala Muhammad *

Namadi Sambo Mohammed Namadi Sambo (born 2 August 1954) is a Nigerian politician who was Vice President of Nigeria from 19 May 2010 to 29 May 2015. He previously served as Governor of Kaduna State from 2007 to 2010. Early life Namadi was born on 2 August 19 ...

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (; born 13 June 1954) is a Nigerian economist, who has been serving as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization since March 2021. Notably, she is the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organiza ...

Nnamdi Azikiwe Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe, (16 November 1904 – 11 May 1996), usually referred to as "Zik", was a Nigerian statesman and political leader who served as the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. Considered a driving force behind the n ...

first

President of Nigeria The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the head of state and head of government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the Niger ...

Nwafor Orizu Prince Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu (17 July 1914 – 1999) was a Nigerian of Igbo origin who served as President of the Nigerian Senate from 1963 to 15 January 1966, during the Nigerian First Republic. Orizu was also Acting President of Niger ...

Nigeria's second head of state (1965–1966) *

Obafemi Awolowo Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo (; 6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987) was a Yoruba nationalist and Nigerian statesman who played a key role in Nigeria's independence movement (1957-1960). Awolowo founded the Yoruba nationalist group Egbe Om ...

Odumegwu Ojukwu Chukwuemeka "Emeka" Odumegwu Ojukwu (4 November 1933 – 26 November 2011) was a Nigerian military officer, statesman and politician who served as the military governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria in 1966 and the president of the se ...

Okechukwu Enelamah Okechukwu Enelamah (born 1964) is Nigeria's former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. He was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to join the Federal Cabinet in October 2015 and appointed to the Industry, Trade, and Investment portfol ...

Oladipo Diya Donaldson Oladipo Diya (born 3 April 1944) is a Nigerian general who served as Chief of the General Staff, (''de facto'' Vice President of Nigeria) under military head of state General Sani Abacha from 1994 until his arrest for treason in 1997. ...

Olusegun Obasanjo Chief Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu Obasanjo, , ( ; yo, Olúṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́ ; born 5 March 1937) is a Nigerian political and military leader who served as Nigeria's head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its pres ...

Patricia Etteh Patricia Olubunmi Foluke Etteh (born 17 August 1953) was the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives between June and October, 2007. Personal life and education Etteh, a Yoruba, was born on 17 August 1953. She trained as a hairdresser ...

* Patrick Obahiagbon *

Peter Obi Peter Gregory Obi (born 19 July 1961) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as governor of Anambra from March to November 2006, February to May 2007, and from June 2007 to March 2014. In May 2022, he became the Labour Party can ...

Peter Odili Peter Otunuya Odili (born 15 August 1948) was the third Governor of Rivers State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. Odili is a member of the former ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP). Background Peter Odili was born on 15 August 19 ...

Philip Effiong Philip Efiong (also spelled Effiong, 18 November 1925 – 6 November 2003) was the first Vice President and the second President of Biafra, President of the now defunct Republic of Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970. Early lif ...

* Remi Babalola * Reno Omokri *

Rochas Okorocha Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha (born 22 September 1962) is a Nigerian politician of Igbo extraction, from Imo State. He is the senator representing Imo West Senatorial district at the 9th Nigerian Senate. He is also the former Governor of Imo St ...

Rotimi Amaechi Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (born 27 May 1965) is a Nigerian politician, he served as the Federal Minister of Transportation of Nigeria from 2015 to 2022 under the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari. He resigned to contest for Nigeria's presidency ...

S. A. Ajayi Chief S. A. Ajayi (2 December 1910 – 11 May 1994) was a Nigerian statesman who played an active role in the negotiations of Nigeria's independence. He was a pioneer politician of Okun land in the old Kabba province (in the prese ...

Saleh Mamman Mamman Kwagyang Saleh (born 2 January 1958), is a Nigerian government official that served as Minister of Power from August 2019 to September 2021. He was sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari on 21 August 2019 after being nominated by Buhari an ...

Sam Obi Samuel Onyeka Obi (1961/2 – 3 April 2021) was a Nigerian politician and pastor. He was a speaker of Delta State house of assembly and former acting governor of Delta State from 2010 to 2011. Until his death, he was the general overseer of Orac ...

Samuel Akintola Chief Samuel Ládòkè Akíntọ́lá, otherwise known as ''S.L.A.'' (6 July 1910 – 15 January 1966), was a Yoruba politician, aristocrat , orator, and a Yoruba Lawyer. He was one of the founding fathers of modern Nigeria, he served as ...

Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, is a Nigerian politician and the current honorary special adviser on inter-governmental affairs to the governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle. He previously served as the national secretary of All Progressives Grand ...

Shehu Shagari Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (25 February 1925 – 28 December 2018), titled Turakin Sokoto from 1962, was the first democratically elected President of Nigeria, after the transfer of power by military head of state General Olusegun Obasanjo in ...

Sullivan Chime Sullivan Iheanacho Chime (born 10 April 1959) was elected governor of Enugu State in Nigeria in April 2007, taking office on 29 May 2007. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He was reelected on 26 April 2011. Parents H.R.H Igw ...

Tunde Idiagbon Babatunde "Tunde" Abdulbaki Idiagbon (14 September 1943 – 24 March 1999) was a Nigerian general who served as the 6th Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters (second-in-command) under military head of state General Muhammadu Buhari from 198 ...

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (16 August 19515 May 2010) was a Nigerian politician who, was the President of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010. He was declared the winner of the Nigerian presidential election held on 21 April 2007, and was sworn in on 29 May 20 ...

Yakubu Gowon Yakubu Dan-Yumma 'Jack' Gowon (born 19 October 1934) is a retired Nigerian Army general and military leader. As Head of State of Nigeria, Gowon presided over a controversial Nigerian Civil War and delivered the famous "no victor, no vanquish ...

Human-rights activists

Aminu Kano Aminu Kano (9 August 1920 — 17 April 1983) was a Muslim politician from Nigeria born at Sudawa, Gwale Local Government and resided at Gwammaja, Dala Local Government. In the 1940s he led a socialist movement in the northern part of the c ...

Ayodele Awojobi Ayodele Oluwatumininu Awojobi (12 March 1937 – 23 September 1984), also known by the nicknames "Dead Easy", "The Akoka Giant", and "Macbeth", was a Nigerian academic, author, inventor, social crusader and activist. He was considered a scholarl ...

Beko Ransome-Kuti Dr. Bekolari Ransome-Kuti (2 August 1940 – 10 February 2006) was a Nigerian physician known for his work as a human rights activist. Early life Ransome-Kuti was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria. His mother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti opposed indiscrimin ...

* Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi *

Dele Giwa Dele Giwa (16 March 1947 – 19 October 1986) was a Nigerian journalist, editor and founder of '' Newswatch'' magazine. Early life and career Sumonu Oladele "Baines" Giwa was born on March 16, 1947 to a family working in the palace of Oba Ades ...

Funke Abimbola Funke Abimbola MBE is a Nigerian businesswoman and lawyer. She advocates for diversity across UK society with a specific focus on the legal profession. Abimbola attended Newcastle University to study law. Funke Abimbola is a mother of a 19 yea ...

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, MON ( /ˌfʊnmiˈlaɪjoʊ ˈrænsəm ˈkuːti/; born Frances Abigail Olufunmilayo Thomas; 25 October 190013 April 1978), also known as Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti, was a Nigerian educator, political campaigner, suf ...

Gani Fawehinmi Chief Abdul-Ganiyu "Gani" Oyesola Fawehinmi, , (22 April 1938 – 5 September 2009) was a Nigerian author, publisher, philanthropist, social critic, human and civil rights lawyer, and politician. He held the chieftaincy title of the Lamofin of ...

* Kiki Mordi *

Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Olikoye Ransome-Kuti (30 December 1927 – 1 June 2003) was a paediatrician, activist and health minister of Nigeria. Early life and education Olikoye Ransome-Kuti was born in Ijebu Ode on 30 December 1927, in present-day Ogun State, Nigeria ...

Olisa Agbakoba Olisa Agbakoba is a Nigerian human rights activist, maritime lawyer and former President of Nigerian Bar Association. Early life Olisa Agbakoba was born on 29 May 1953 to Chief Justice Godfrey Ubaka and Mrs Phina Agbakoba in Jos. He later ...

* Omoyele Sowore * Segun Awosanya *

Sonny Okosun Sonny Okosun (1 January 1947 – 24 May 2008) was a Nigerian musician, who was known as the leader of the Ozzidi band. He named his band Ozzidi after a renowned Ijaw languages, Ijaw river god, but to Okosun the meaning was "there is a message". ...

Wole Soyinka Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka (Yoruba: ''Akínwándé Olúwọlé Babátúndé Ṣóyíinká''; born 13 July 1934), known as Wole Soyinka (), is a Nigerian playwright, novelist, poet, and essayist in the English language. He was awarded t ...

* Festus Keyamo *

Ken Saro-Wiwa Kenule Beeson "Ken" Saro-Wiwa (10 October 1941 – 10 November 1995) was a Nigerian writer, television producer, and environmental activist. Ken Saro-Wiwa was a member of the Ogoni people, an ethnic minority in Nigeria whose homeland, Ogonilan ...

Military

Adekunle Fajuyi Francis Adekunle Fajuyi (26 June 1926 – 29 July 1966) was a Nigerian soldier of Yoruba origin. and the first military governor of the former Western Region, Nigeria. Originally a teacher and clerk, Fajuyi of Ado Ekiti joined the army in ...

Akinloye Akinyemi Akinloye Akinyemi, (1954–2012), also known as Sergeant Carter, was a Nigerian retired Major who was arrested, tried and sentenced in 1987 and 1995 for alleged coup plotting. During his military career, he served in the Nigerian Army Signal Cor ...

Alexander Ogomudia Alexander Odeareduo Ogomudia (born 29 December 1949) is a retired Nigerian army general who served as Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria from 2003 to 2006 and Chief of Army Staff from 2001 to 2003. Biography The Nigerian Army officially des ...

Aliyu Mohammed Gusau Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (born 18 May 1943) is a Nigerian general and statesman. He has held several high level national security, military and intelligence offices, and has participated in several military coups, playing a central role in foundin ...

Alwali Kazir Alwali Jauji Kazir CFR (born 2 August 1947) is a retired Nigerian Army Major General who was Military Governor of Kwara State, Nigeria from December 1989 to January 1992 during the military regime of Major General Ibrahim Babangida. And then Ch ...

Benjamin Adekunle Benjamin Adesanya Maja Adekunle (26 June 1936 – 13 September 2014) was a Nigerian Army Brigadier and Civil War commander. Early years and background Adekunle was born in Kaduna. His father was a native of Ogbomosho, while his mother was of the ...

(Black scorpion) * Buba Marwa *

C. Odumegwu Ojukwu Chukwuemeka "Emeka" Odumegwu Ojukwu (4 November 1933 – 26 November 2011) was a Nigerian military officer, statesman and politician who served as the military governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria in 1966 and the president of the se ...

Chris Alli Mohammed Chris Alli (born December 1944) is a retired Nigerians, Nigerian Army major general who served as Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria), Chief of Army Staff from 1993 to 1994 under General Sani Abacha's regime and was military governor of Platea ...

Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu Patrick Chukwuma "Kaduna" Nzeogwu (26 February 1937 – 29 July 1967) was a Nigerian military officer and revolutionary who played a leading role in the first military coup d'ètat of 15 January 1966, which overthrew the first Nigerian republ ...

Halilu Akilu Halliru Akilu (born 2 November 1947) is a Nigerian general who was Director of National Intelligence and Director of Military Intelligence at various times in the 1990s. Early life Akilu was born and educated in Kano State. Military career Aki ...

Hamza al-Mustapha Hamza Al-Mustapha (born 27 July 1960) is a former Nigerian Army major and intelligence officer who served as Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha, who was Nigeria's military head of state from 1993 until his sudden death on June 8, 199 ...

Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (born 17 August, 1941) is a retired Nigerian Army general and politician. He served as military president of Nigeria from 1985 until his resignation in 1993. He rose through the ranks to serve from 1984 to 1985 as Ch ...

Idris Alkali Mohammed Idris Alkali (1960–2018), also known as Nuri, was a Nigerian retired Major general who was declared missing on 3 September 2018 and found dead on 31 October 2018. During his military career, he served as the Chief of Administration, A ...

Idris Garba Idris Garba was the Military Governor of Benue State from 1987 to 1988 and Governor of Kano State from 1989 to 1992. Background Idris Garba was born in July 1947 in Gulu, Lapai Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, Nigeria. He had a second ...

Ike Nwachukwu Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu mni (born 1 September 1940) is a retired Army officer and Nigerian politician who served twice as Foreign Minister of Nigeria and as a Senator in the National Assembly delegation from Abia State. Education and train ...

John Nmadu Yisa-Doko John Nmadu Yisa-Doko (born 13 February 1942 – 2 May 2012), GCON, CFR was the first Nigerian Air Force's Chief of the Air Staff from 1975 to 1980 who joined as a NAF cadet. He was amongst the first batch of pilots recruited to serve in the n ...

first indigenous chief of air staff *

Mamman Vatsa Mamman Jiya Vatsa (3 December 1940 – 5 March 1986) was a Nigerian general and poet who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Abuja, and was a member of the Supreme Military Council On 5 March 1986, he was executed by the military r ...

Martin Luther Agwai Martin Luther Agwai (born 8 November 1948) is a retired Nigerian army officer who served as Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff. He is the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Calabar Early life and education Agwai was born on No ...

* M. I. Wushishi * M. Ndatsu Umaru *

Mohammed Sani Sami Mohammed Sani Sami was Governor of Bauchi State, Nigeria from January 1984 to August 1985 during the military regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Early life Mohammed Sani Sami was born in Zuru in Kebbi State. He joined the army on 10 Dece ...

* Muhammed Shuwa *

Owoye Andrew Azazi Owoye Andrew Azazi (1 February 1952 – 15 December 2012) was a Nigerian army general who served as National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, was Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Befor ...

Paul Omu Paul Ufuoma Omu (born July 1940) was Military Governor of South-Eastern State, Nigeria (renamed Cross River State in February 1976) between July 1975 and July 1978 during the military regimes of Generals Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo. M ...

* Salihu Ibrahim *

Sani Abacha Sani Abacha (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) was a Nigerian military officer and politician who ruled as the military head of state of Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998. He seized power on 17 November 1993 in the last successful c ...

Sani Bello Sani Bello (born 27 November 1942) is a Nigerian statesman and military administrator who served as Governor of Kano State from 1975 to 1978. After his retirement, he amassed an enormous fortune through investments in oil, telecommunications and ...

Theophilus Danjuma Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (born 9 December 1938) is a politician and retired Nigerian army lieutenant general who played a key role in post independence military and political events in Nigeria. Danjuma amassed an enormous fortune through ship ...

Victor Malu Victor Samuel Leonard Malu (15 January 1947 – 9 October 2017) DSS mni fwc psc was Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from 1999 to 2001 and Force Commander of the ECOMOG peace-keeping force in Liberia from 1996 to 1998. Birth and education ...

Yahaya Abubakar Yahaya Abubakar rtd GCFR is a traditional ruler who was born to the family of Alhaji Abubakar Saganuwa Nakordi Nupe/brother to the 11th Etsu Nupe Late Malam Musa Bello and his mother Hajiya Habiba Bantigi Ndayako daughter of the 9th Etsu Nupe an ...

Musicians

Actors

Artists

* Amarachi Okafor artist * Anny Robert photographer and graphics artist *

Ben Enwonwu Odinigwe Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu MBE (14 July 1917 – 5 February 1994), better known as Ben Enwonwu, was a Nigerian painter and sculptor. Arguably the most influential African artist of the 20th century, his pioneering career opened th ...

MBE Mbe may refer to: * Mbé, a town in the Republic of the Congo * Mbe Mountains Community Forest, in Nigeria * Mbe language, a language of Nigeria * Mbe' language, language of Cameroon * ''mbe'', ISO 639 code for the extinct Molala language Molal ...

royal sculpture artist; professor of fine arts; government advisor *

Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy Chinwe Ifeoma Chukwuogo-Roy MBE (2 May 1952 − 17 December 2012) was a visual artist who was born in Awka (Oka), Anambra state, Nigeria, but spent much of her young life in Ikom on the Cameroon border, before moving back to the family home at ...

Nigerian-born royal portrait artist and public speaker *

Chris Ofili Christopher Ofili, (born 10 October 1968) is a British Turner Prize-winning painter who is best known for his paintings incorporating elephant dung. He was one of the Young British Artists. Since 2005, Ofili has been living and working in Trin ...

painter; winner,

Turner Prize The Turner Prize, named after the English painter J. M. W. Turner, is an annual prize presented to a British visual artist. Between 1991 and 2016, only artists under the age of 50 were eligible (this restriction was removed for the 2017 award) ...

* Laolu Senbanjo visual artist, musician, singer/songwriter, and attorney * Marcia Kure mixed media artist *

Muraina Oyelami Chief Muraina Oyelami (born 21 February 1940) is a Nigerian painter and drummer of Yoruba descent. He was among the first generation of artists to come out of the Osogbo School of Art in the 1960s. He was a drummer and actor with the theatre com ...

painter *

Ndidi Dike Ndidi Dike was born in 1960 in London. She is a Nigeria-based visual artist working in sculpture and mixed-media painting. She is one of Nigeria's leading female artists.She is from Amaokwe Item in Bende local government of Abia State. She has 3 ...

artist * Oscar Ukonu ballpoint pen artist *

Patience Torlowei Patience Torlowei (born 24 July 1964) is a Nigerian fashion designer. She is the creator of the "Esther Dress", the first piece of couture ever to join the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art's permanent collection. Early ...

artist and designer *

Yinka Shonibare Yinka Shonibare (born 9 August 1962), is a British-Nigerian artist living in the United Kingdom. His work explores cultural identity, colonialism and post-colonialism within the contemporary context of globalisation. A hallmark of his art is t ...

sculptor, painter, photographer and installation artist

Media

* Ifeoma Aggrey-Fynn (died 2015) radio and television personality *

Sam Amuka-Pemu Prince Sam Amuka Pemu (born 13 June 1935) is a Nigerian journalist, columnist and publisher, who founded the ''Vanguard'', Nigeria's leading newspaper, and was co-founder of ''The Punch'', the most widely read newspaper in Nigeria. He was born in ...

founder of the ''

Vanguard The vanguard (also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force. History The vanguard derives fr ...

'' newspaper, co-founder of ''

The Punch ''The Punch'' is a Nigerian daily newspaper founded On August 8, 1970. Punch Nigeria Limited was registered under the Companies Act of 1968 to engage in the business of publishing newspapers, magazines and other periodicals. It was designed to i ...

'' * Nicole Asinugo screenwriter and presenter *

Nenny B Nnenna Egwuekwe (born September 22, 1992), known professionally as Nenny B, is a Nigerian media personality. She is currently a VJ for MTV Base Africa. Early life and education Nenny B is from Imo State and was born in Lagos State, Nigeria. ...

media personality *

Lekan Fatodu Olalekan Fatodu is a Nigerian journalist, public relations expert and development practitioner. He is the Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Early life and ed ...

publisher of Checkout Magazine. *

Babatunde Jose Alhaji"Babatunde Jose: Legendary doyen of ...

(1925–2008) journalist and newspaper editor; considered the "grandfather of Nigerian journalism" *

Farooq Kperogi Farooq Adamu Kperogi (born 1973), is a Nigerian-American professor, author, media scholar, newspaper columnist, blogger and activist. He was a reporter and news editor at many Nigerian newspapers including the ''Daily Trust'', ''Daily Triumph'' and ...

author, columnist, journalism professor at

Kennesaw State University Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a public research university located in the state of Georgia with two different campuses in the Atlanta metropolitan area, one in Kennesaw and the other in Marietta on a combined of land. The school was fou ...

Dele Momodu Chief Dele Momodu (born Ayòbámidélé Àbáyòmí Ojútelégàn Àjàní Momodu; 16 May 1960) is a Nigerian journalist/publisher, businessman, and motivational speaker. He is the CEO and publisher of ''Ovation International'', a magazine tha ...

publisher, writer/journalist; entrepreneur, CEO of ''Ovation International'' magazine *

Benneth Nwankwo Benneth Nwankwo is a Nigerian documentary photographer and film director. He is from Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. He is also known for directing high school web miniseries, Like Filtered Water, and 2022 Nigerian ...

(born 1995), photographer, film director, talk show host * Cornelia O'Dwyer Talk show host *

Femi Oke Femi Oke ( ; born 30 June 1966) is a British television presenter and journalist. Early life and education Femi Oke was born in London, England, to Nigerian parents of the Yoruba ethnic group. She is a graduate of Birmingham University, where ...

journalist and television presenter; former

CNN International CNN International (CNNI, simply branded on-air as CNN) is an international television channel that is owned by CNN Global. CNN International carries news-related programming worldwide; it cooperates with sister network CNN's national and inter ...

television anchor *

Bobby Ologun is a Nigerian-born television personality and mixed martial artist with Japanese citizenship. In Japan, he is known simply as . He speaks English, Yoruba and Japanese. He lives in Saitama, Saitama Prefecture. On July 26, 2007, he announced on M ...

television personality in Japan and

martial artist Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; and the preserv ...

* Adenike Oyetunde (1986- ) Nigerian lawyer turned radio host and amputee advocate *

Aisha Salaudeen Aisha Salaudeen (born 26 September 1994) is a Nigerian multimedia journalist, feminist, producer, and writer who currently works with the CNN. In November 2020, she was awarded the Future Awards Africa Prize for Journalism for her work covering ...

(2017–present) – Nigerian journalist and feminist * Ikechi Uko publisher, Akwaaba African Travel Market, ATQnews.com; author; travel and tourism media consultant

Bloggers

Kemi Adetiba Kemi Adetiba (born 8 January 1980) is a Nigerian filmmaker, television director and music video director, whose works have appeared on Channel O, MTV Base, Sound City TV, BET and Netflix. Education Kemi holds bachelor's degree in law fro ...

* Uche Pedro

Educators

* Cletus Nzebunwa Aguwa professor of clinical pharmacy *

Claude Ake Claude Ake (18 February 1939 in Omoku – 7 November 1996) was a Nigerian political scientist from Omoku, in Rivers State, Nigeria. Ake (pronounced AH-kay) was considered "one of Africa's foremost political philosophers." He specialized in polit ...

professor of Political Economy * Dennis Chima Ugwuegbu (born 1942) professor of psychology * Emily Alemika *

Tessy Okoli Theresa Obumneme Okoli is the 4th substantive provost of Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze. On 17 May 2018, she was appointed by the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, to replace the acting provost of the college, Dr. Cicil ...

* Thomas Adesanya Ige Grillo (1927–1998) professor of anatomy *

Jude Rabo Jude Rabo (born 21 June 1961) is a Nigerian professor of veterinary medicine who currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Wukari, Taraba State Nigeria. Early life and education Rabo was born in Tadmum, Bogoro, Bauchi Sta ...

vice-chancellor of Federal University, Wukari

Lawyers

* Shaibu Atadoga

Writers

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ( ; born 15 September 1977) is a Nigerian writer whose works include novels, short stories and nonfiction. She was described in ''The Times Literary Supplement'' as "the most prominent" of a "procession of criticall ...

Chinua Achebe Chinua Achebe (; 16 November 1930 – 21 March 2013) was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who is regarded as the dominant figure of modern African literature. His first novel and ''magnum opus'', ''Things Fall Apart'' (1958), occupies ...

* Jeffrey Obomeghie *

Ogaga Ifowodo Ogaga Ifowodo (born May 14, 1966) is a Nigerian lawyer, scholar, poet, columnist/public commentator and human rights activist. He was awarded the 1998 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, given to writers "anywhere in the world who have ...

* Lesley Nneka Arimah * Adaeze Atuegwu

Business people

* Alhaji Habu Adamu Jajere former president of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association Of Nigeria (IPMAN) and winner of the Dr. Kwame Nkurumah African Leadership Award in

Ghana Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...

. *

Aliko Dangote ''For people with the given name, see Aliko (given name).'' Aliko ( sq-definite, Alikoi; ) is a village and a former commune in Vlorë County, southern Albania. At the 2015 local government reform it became a subdivision of the municipality Finiq ...

Ben Murray-Bruce Benedict Murray-Bruce (born 18 February 1956) is a Nigerian business magnate and politician. He is the founder of Silverbird Group. A member of the People's Democratic Party, he was elected to the Senate of Nigeria in March 2015 where he rep ...

politician and Chairman of

Silverbird Group The Silverbird Group is a diversified multi-media company with holdings in Radio, Television, Real Estate, and Cinemas headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. The company was established in 1980 by Ben Murray-Bruce and counts Silverbird Cinemas and the M ...

Femi Otedola Femi Otedola (born 4 November 1962) is a Nigerian businessman, philanthropist, and former chairman of Forte Oil PLC, an importer of fuel products. Otedola is the founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, and the owner of a number of other busine ...

– Nigerian businessman *

Habeeb Okunola Iba Habeeb Okunola (born ) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of TILT Group, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Nigeria with diversified investments spanning k ...

CEO TILT Group of Companies * Halima Dangote *

Mary Nzimiro Mary Nzimiro, birthname Mary Nwametu Onumonu, MBE (1898–1993) was a pioneering Nigerian businesswoman, politician and women's activist. In 1948, she was appointed principal representative of the United Africa Company (UAC) for Eastern Nigeria, w ...

(1898–1993) businesswoman, politician and women's activist * Obi Asika * Taofik Adegbite CEO Marine Platforms

Religion

* Blessed

Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi , OCSO (September 1903 – 20 January 1964) was an Igbo Nigerian priest of the Catholic Church who worked in the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria, and then became a Trappist monk at Mount Saint Bernard Monaste ...

beatified by

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II ( la, Ioannes Paulus II; it, Giovanni Paolo II; pl, Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła ; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his ...

Wande Abimbola Chief Ògúnwán̄dé "Wán̄dé" Abím̄bọ́lá (born 24 December 1932) is a Nigerian academician, a professor of Yoruba language and literature, and a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He has ...

academician An academician is a full member of an artistic, literary, engineering, or scientific academy. In many countries, it is an honorific title used to denote a full member of an academy that has a strong influence on national scientific life. In syst ...

;

Ifá Ifá is a Yoruba religion and system of divination. Its literary corpus is the ''Odu Ifá''. Orunmila is identified as the Grand Priest, as he revealed divinity and prophecy to the world. Babalawos or Iyanifas use either the divining chain kno ...

priest *

Enoch Adeboye Enoch Adejare Adeboye (born 2 March 1942) is a Nigerian pastor and General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God. Early life Enoch Adejare Adeboye was born on 2 March 1942 in Ifewara, near Ife, in the then Southern Region, British Nig ...

pastor; general overseer,

Redeemed Christian Church of God The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is a Pentecostal megachurch and denomination founded in Lagos, Nigeria. The General overseer (most senior pastor) is Enoch Adeboye, ordained in 1981. The church in Lagos had an average church attendanc ...

* Sheikh

Abu-Abdullah Adelabu Abdul-Fattah Abu-Abdullah Taiye Ejire Adelabu ( ar, عبد الفتّاح أبو عبد الله تَائيي أيجيري أديلابو) or simply Sheikh Adelabu (), also known as Al-Afriqi () or Shaykh Al-Afriqi () is a Nigeria-born British M ...

; Muslim scholar; writer; academic; publisher; cleric; founder and first president,

AWQAF Africa A waqf ( ar, وَقْف; ), also known as hubous () or ''mortmain'' property is an inalienable charitable endowment under Islamic law. It typically involves donating a building, plot of land or other assets for Muslim religious or charitable ...

and

AWQAF Africa Muslim Open College AWQAF Africa Muslim Open College is an institution of AWQAF Africa's educational department. It was launched in 2005 to cater for educational needs of the Africans (including the North Africans) and for people of African origin (e.g. the Caribb ...

(London) *

Anthony Olubunmi Okogie Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (born 16 June 1936) is a Nigerian Cardinal Priest and Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos in the Roman Catholic Church. Biography Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Okogie was born to a royal family of Uromi in Edo State. His parents ...

Roman Catholic Archbishop of Lagos * Asi Archibong-Arikpo president of the Presbyterian Women's Guild in Nigeria, 1975–1982 *

Benson Idahosa Benson Andrew Idahosa (11 September 1938 – 12 March 1998), was a Charismatic Pentecostal preacher. He is the founder of Church of God Mission International, Archbishop Benson Idahosa was popularly referred to as the father of Pentecostalism ...

Charismatic Charisma () is a personal quality of presence or charm that compels its subjects. Scholars in sociology, political science, psychology, and management reserve the term for a type of leadership seen as extraordinary; in these fields, the term "ch ...

Pentecostal Pentecostalism or classical Pentecostalism is a Protestant Charismatic Christian movement

preacher; founder, Church of God Mission International * Bimbo Odukoya pastor;

televangelist Televangelism (wikt:tele-, tele- "distance" and "evangelism," meaning "Christian ministry, ministry," sometimes called teleministry) is the use of media, specifically radio and television, to communicate Christianity. Televangelists are minister ...

; founder, Fountain of Life Church *

Chris Okotie Christopher Oghenebrorie Okotie (born 16 June 1958) is a Nigerian televangelist and the pastor of the Household of God Church International Ministries, a Pentecostal congregation in Lagos since February 1987. Personal life Okotie was born to Fra ...

Chris Oyakhilome Christian Oyakhilome (also known as "Pastor Chris") (born 7 December 1963) is the founder and president of LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy, based in Lagos, Nigeria. Ministry and theology Oyakhilome's ministry holds me ...

; founding president of

Christ Embassy Christ Embassy (also known as LoveWorld Incorporated or Believers' Loveworld) is a megachurch and Christian denomination founded by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome in 1987. The Church, with the headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, has since become a global ...

* David Obadiah Lot pastor,

Church of Christ Church of Christ may refer to: Church groups * When used in the plural, a New Testament designation for local groups of people following the teachings of Jesus Christ: "...all the churches of Christ greet you", Romans 16:16. * The entire body of Ch ...

* Deborah Omale pastor, Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry * Dominic Ekandem * Emmanuel Omale founder, Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry *

Francis Arinze Francis Arinze (born 1 November 1932) is a Nigerian cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments from 2002 to 2008 and before that led the Secretariat for Non-Christ ...

Catholic cardinal A cardinal ( la, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae cardinalis, literally 'cardinal of the Holy Roman Church') is a senior member of the clergy of the Catholic Church. Cardinals are created by the ruling pope and typically hold the title for life. Col ...

John Onaiyekan John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan (born 29 January 1944) is a Nigerian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was Archbishop of Abuja from 1994 to 2019 and was made a cardinal in 2012. He has served as president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, ...

Joseph Ayo Babalola Joseph Ayo Babalola (25 April 1904 – 26 July 1959) was the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called CAC in Nigeria. He was credited with healing powers. Early life Babalola was born of Yoruba parents at Odo- ...

founder,

Christ Apostolic Church Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) is the first Aladura Pentecostal church present in Nigeria and other countries. It arose in the first half of the 20th century, in the then-British empire. It was formally established in 1941 after a split from the Ap ...

Matthew Ashimolowo Matthew Ashimolowo (born 17 March 1952) is a Nigerian clergyman, the senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) in London. His ''Winning Ways'' programme is aired daily on Premier Radio (London) and Spirit FM (Amsterdam) a ...

senior pastor,

Kingsway International Christian Centre Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) is based in London, England and was established in 1992 with 200 adults and 100 children. It currently has up to 12,000 people in attendance at the main church every Sunday. The church is pastored b ...

(

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, England) *

Peter Akinola Peter Jasper Akinola (born 27 January 1944, in Abeokuta) is the former Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria. He is also the former bishop of Abuja and Archbishop of Province III, which covered the northern and central parts of the coun ...

Anglican Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of th ...

emeritus

primate Primates are a diverse order of mammals. They are divided into the strepsirrhines, which include the lemurs, galagos, and lorisids, and the haplorhines, which include the tarsiers and the simians (monkeys and apes, the latter including huma ...

Church of Nigeria The Church of Nigeria is the Anglicanism, Anglican Church body, church in Nigeria. It is the second-largest Province (Anglican), province in the Anglican Communion, as measured by baptised membership (not by attendance), after the Church of Englan ...

Samuel Ajayi Crowther Samuel Ajayi Crowther ( – 31 December 1891), was a Yoruba linguist, clergyman, and the first African Anglican bishop of West Africa. Born in Osogun (in what is now Ado-Awaye, Oyo State, Nigeria), he and his family were captured by slave raide ...

* Sheikh Abubakre Sidiq Bello founder of Dairat Sidiq Faedot Tijanniyat of Nigeria * Sheikh Dahiru Usman Islamic scholar, Dariqat Tijjaniya Movement *

T. B. Joshua Temitope Balogun Joshua (12 June 1963 – 5 June 2021), popularly known as T. B. Joshua, was a Nigerian charismatic pastor, televangelist, and philanthropist. He was the leader and founder of Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), a Chris ...

Christian minister;

and

faith healer Faith healing is the practice of prayer and gestures (such as laying on of hands) that are believed by some to elicit divine intervention in spiritual and physical healing, especially the Christian practice. Believers assert that the healing ...

; founder,

Synagogue, Church of All Nations The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) is a charismatic Christian megachurch located in Lagos, Nigeria. History T. B. Joshua wrote that in a heavenly vision he received 'divine anointing' and a covenant from God to start his ministry in ...

; founder, Christian television station

Emmanuel TV Emmanuel TV is a Christian television network with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. It was founded by T.B. Joshua, former senior pastor of the Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), in Lagos, Nigeria. It is also the most subscribed Christian ...

* Taiwo Odukoya Senior Pastor, The Fountain Of Life Church *

William Kumuyi William Folorunso Kumuyi (born 6 June 1941) is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry situated at Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria. He is the author of several Christian books and devotionals. William Folorunso Kumu ...

pastor,

; writer; founder and general superintendent,

Deeper Life Bible Church Deeper Christian Life Ministry also known as Deeper Life Bible Church is a Pentecostalism, Pentecostal Christian denomination with its international headquarters, Deeper Life Bible Church Lagos, in Lagos, Gbagada, Lagos. It is overseen by the G ...

* Bishop

David Oyedepo David Olaniyi Oyedepo (born 27 September 1954) is a Nigerian preacher, Christian author, businessman, architect and the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, and presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. The ...

preacher; writer; founder and presiding bishop,

Winners' Chapel Living Faith Church Worldwide (also known as Winners' Chapel) is an Evangelical charismatic Christian denomination and a megachurch. The headquarters is located in Ota, Nigeria. The organization has since become a global network of churches w ...

(also known as

Living Faith Church Worldwide Living Faith Church Worldwide (also known as Winners' Chapel) is an Evangelical charismatic Christian denomination and a megachurch. The headquarters is located in Ota, Nigeria. The organization has since become a global network of churches w ...

); chancellor,

Covenant University Covenant may refer to: Religion * Covenant (religion), a formal alliance or agreement made by God with a religious community or with humanity in general ** Covenant (biblical), in the Hebrew Bible ** Covenant in Mormonism, a sacred agreement b ...

* Sheikh

Abubakar Gumi Abubakar Mahmud Gumi (7 November 1924 – 11 September 1992) was a Nigerian Islamic scholarly method, scholar and Grand Khadi of the Northern Region, Nigeria, Northern Region of Nigeria (1962–1967), a position which made him a central authority ...

* Sheikh

Ibrahim Zakzaky Ibraheem Yaqoub El-Zakzaky (alternately Ibraheem Zakzaky, Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky; born 5 May 1953) is a Nigerian religious leader. He is an imprisoned outspoken and prominent Shi'a Muslim leader in Nigeria. He is the head of Nigeria's Islamic Movem ...

Sports people

International models

Agbani Darego Chief Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite 'Agbani' Darego, MFR (born 22 December 1982) is a Nigerian model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss World in 2001. She was the first black African to win Miss World. Early life Abonnema-native Darego was bo ...

winner,

Miss World 2001 Miss World 2001, the 51st edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on 16 November 2001 at the Super Bowl of Sun City Entertainment Centre in Sun City, South Africa. 93 contestants from all over the world competed for the title. Priyanka Ch ...

* Ibife Alufohai winner, Miss Valentine International 2010 and founder of Miss Polo International *

Mary Timms Mary Nkechi Timms is a Nigerian model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Face of Next Generation Entertainment Awards 2017. Personal life Timms is from Nnewi, Anambra State. She is based in the United States. Pageantry Face of Next ...

face of Next Generation Entertainment Awards 2017 *

Nelson Enwerem Nelson Enwerem known professionally as Prince is a Nigerian model, Actor, one of the fashionable men in Nigeria, brand ambassador/influencer, CEO and television personality who won Mr Nigeria 2018. He represented Nigeria at the Mister Wor ...

model, television personality and winner of Mr Nigeria 2018 * Oluchi Onweagba winner,

M-Net M-Net (an abbreviation of Electronic Media Network) is a South African pay television channel established by Naspers in 1986. The channel broadcasts both local and international programming, including general entertainment, children's series, ...

Face of Africa competition 1998 * Omowunmi Akinnifesi

ICT and information professionals

* Ekei Essien Oku – first Nigerian woman chief librarian * Farida Kabir (born 1992) – software developer and entrepreneur *

Gbenga Sesan 'Gbenga Sesan (born 27 July 1977) is a social entrepreneurship, social entrepreneur who delivers Information and communications technology to the under served. He has had a career in the application of Information and Communication Technologies for ...

Nigeria's first Information Technology Youth Ambassador *

Philip Emeagwali Philip Emeagwali (born 23 August 1954) is a Nigerian computer scientist. He won the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize for price-performance in high-performance computing applications, in an oil reservoir modeling calculation using a novel mathematical formu ...

1989

Gordon Bell Prize The Gordon Bell Prize, commonly referred to as the Nobel Prize of Supercomputing, is an award presented by the Association for Computing Machinery each year in conjunction with the SC Conference series (formerly known as the Supercomputing Conferen ...

winner

Medicine and science

* Adeoye Lambo

psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry, the branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatrists are physicians and evaluate patients to determine whether their sy ...

Ameyo Adadevoh Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (27 October 1956 – 19 August 2014) was a Nigerian physician. She is credited with having curbed a wider spread of the Western African Ebola virus epidemic in Nigeria by placing the patient zero, Patrick Sawyer, in ...

credited with having restricted the spread of

Ebola virus ''Zaire ebolavirus'', more commonly known as Ebola virus (; EBOV), is one of six known species within the genus ''Ebolavirus''. Four of the six known ebolaviruses, including EBOV, cause a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans and ot ...

in Nigeria *

Bennet Omalu Bennet Ifeakandu Omalu (born September 30, 1968"About Bennet Omalu"
, B ...

forensic pathologist Forensic pathology is pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. A post mortem examination is performed by a medical examiner or forensic pathologist, usually during the investigation of criminal law cases an ...

mathematician A mathematician is someone who uses an extensive knowledge of mathematics in their work, typically to solve mathematical problems. Mathematicians are concerned with numbers, data, quantity, structure, space, models, and change. History On ...

Eyitayo Lambo Eyitayo Lambo was appointed the Nigerian Federal Minister of Health in July 2003, holding office until May 2007 during the second term of the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. Background Lambo was born on 28 December 1944 in Isanlu, the headqua ...

health economist Health economics is a branch of economics concerned with issues related to efficiency, effectiveness, value and behavior in the production and consumption of health and healthcare. Health economics is important in determining how to improv ...

and technocrat * Olufunmilayo Olopade

oncologist Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγκος (''ó ...

Olumbe Bassir Olumbe Bassir (1919–2001) was a Nigerian scientist, author and academic. His primary contributions to research were in the areas of aflatoxins, nutrition, and peace research. Early life and education Born in Senegal to Sierra Leonean Oku p ...

biochemist Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. They study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. Biochemists study DNA, proteins and Cell (biology), cell parts. The word "biochemist" is a portmanteau of ...

and

nutritionist A nutritionist is a person who advises others on matters of food and nutrition and their impacts on health. Some people specialize in particular areas, such as sports nutrition, public health, or animal nutrition, among other disciplines. In many c ...

* Segun Toyin Dawodu

physiatrist Physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as physiatry, is a branch of medicine that aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to people with physical impairments or disabilities. This can include conditions su ...

pain medicine Pain management is an aspect of medicine and health care involving relief of pain (pain relief, analgesia, pain control) in various dimensions, from acute and simple to chronic and challenging. Most physicians and other health professionals pr ...

and

medical informatics Health informatics is the field of science and engineering that aims at developing methods and technologies for the acquisition, processing, and study of patient data, which can come from different sources and modalities, such as electronic hea ...

physician * Philomena Obiageliuwa Uyanwah – obstetrician and gynecologist

Aviators

* Adeola Ogunmola Showemimo * Blessing Liman * Chinyere Kalu * Lola Odujinrin

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nigerians, List Of

Politicians

A–M

N–Z

Human-rights activists

Military

Musicians

Actors

Artists

Media

Bloggers

Educators

Lawyers

Writers

Business people

Religion

Sports people

International models

ICT and information professionals

Medicine and science

Aviators

See also

References