List of Nigerians explained

This is a list of notable Nigerian people. It includes some but not all notable Nigerians.

Administrators and Civil Servants

• Charles Abani – Resident Coordinator of the United Nations
• Yarima Ibrahim Abdullahi – Nigerian administrator. Served as the Nigerian high commissioner to Malaysia and Brunei.
• Sarki Auwalu Director general of the Department of Petroleum Resources
• Adamu Abdu-Kafarati – Former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria
• Suleiman Kassim – aviation secretary for the Ministry of Transportation
• Bamidele Solomon Former director general and CEO of NABDA

Politicians

A–M

• Abba Kyari – late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari
• Abdulkadir Kure
• Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq
• Abdulsalami Abubakar
• Abiola Ajimobi
• Abubakar Olusola Saraki
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa – prime minister of Nigeria
• Adebayo Alao Akala
• Adedeji Adeleke
• Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo
• Adebayo Adepoju
• Adebayo Alao-Akala
• Adebayo Johnson Bankole
• Babalola Borishade
• Adeoye Aribasoye
• Adewale Egbedun
• Gordian Ezekwe
• Adolphus Wabara
• Ahmadu Bello
• Ahmed Marafa
• Ahmed Musa Dangiwa
• Ajibola Basiru
• Akanu Ibiam
• Akinwunmi Ambode
• Akinwumi Adesina
• Alex Ekwueme
• Alhaji Hassan Dalhat
• Salihu Yakubu-Danladi
• Alhaji Idi Farouk
• Tele Ikuru
• Alhaji Yahaya Madawaki
• Ali Isa
• Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
• Alvan Ikoku
• Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
• Anamero Sunday Dekeri
• Anyim Pius Anyim
• Atiku Abubakar
• Augustine Ukattah
• Ayo Fayose
• Azuka Okwuosa
• Babajide Sanwo-olu
• Babajimi Adegoke Benson
• Babatunde Raji Fashola
• Benjamin Anyene
• Benjamin Kalu
• Bisayo Busari-Akinnadeju
• Blessing Agbebaku
• Bola Tinubu
• Patrick Ekpotu
• Bonaventure Enemali
• Bukola Saraki
• Bunmi Dipo Salami
• Busari Adelakun
• Chike Obi
• Chima Anyaso
• Chimaroke Nnamani
• Chris Ekiyor
• Christopher Okojie
• Christopher Pere Ajuwa
• Chuba Okadigbo
• Cornelius Adebayo
• Dele Belgore
• Dangiwa Umar
• Dapo Folorunsho Asaju
• Dipo Dina
• Dave Umahi
• David Dafinone
• David Edevbie
• David Mark
• Dennis Osadebay
• Desmond Elliot
• Dimeji Bankole
  • Dora Akunyili Edwin Clark
• Effiong Okon Eyo
• Ernest Shonekan
• Evan Enwerem
• Elvert Ayambem
• Enitan Badru
• Ezenwo Nyesom Wike
• Fadjimata Maman Dioula Sidibé
• Fela Kuti
• Festus Okotie-Eboh
• Florence Ita Giwa
• Franca Afegbua
• Gbenga Daniel
• Ghali Umar Na'Abba
• Godwin Obaseki
• Goodluck Jonathan
• Hadiza Bala Usman
• Hadiza Seyni Zarmakoye
• Herbert Macaulay
• Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba
• Ibrahim Babangida
• Ike Ekweremadu
• Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim
• Isa Mohammed Bagudu
• Issoufou Assoumane
• Iyorchia Ayu
• Jaja Wachuku
• Janet Akinrinade
• Jibrin Ndagi Baba
• Joe Acha
• John Bonzena
• Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
• Joseph Wayas
• Joy Emodi
• Julius Abure
• K.O. Mbadiwe
• Kande Balarabe
• Kayode Ajulo
• Kayode Fayemi
• Ken Erics
• Lateef Adegbite
• Lola Abiola-Edewor
• Love Ezema
• Khalil Halilu
• Ken Nnamani
• Malik Ado-Ibrahim
• Margaret Ekpo
• Michael Ajegbo
• Michael Okpara
• Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
• Mohammed Bello-Koko
• Mohammed Barkindo
• Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi
• Mohammed Mustapha Namadi
• Moshood Abiola
• Muhammadu Buhari
• Murtala Mohammed
• Abubakar Momoh
• Musa Babayo

N–Z

• Naja'atu Bala Muhammad
• Namadi Sambo
• Nasir Adhama
• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
• Nnamdi Azikiwe first President of Nigeria
• Nwafor Orizu Nigeria's second head of state (1965–1966)
• Obafemi Awolowo
• Odumegwu Ojukwu
• Ogbonnaya Onu
• Okechukwu Enelamah
• Oladipo Diya
• Oloye Akin Alabi
• Oludaisi Elemide
• Olusegun Obasanjo
• Owoidighe Ekpoatai
• Patricia Etteh
• Patrick Asadu
• Patrick Obahiagbon
• Peter Obi
• Peter Odili
• Philip Agbese
• Philip Effiong
• Princess Pat Ajudua
• Remi Babalola
• Reno Omokri
• Richard Bamisile
• Rochas Okorocha
• Rotimi Amaechi
• Rukayya Dawayya
• S. A. Ajayi
• Saidu Musa Abdullahi
• Saleh Mamman
• Sam Obi
• Samuel Adesina
• Samuel Akintola
• Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi
• Sanusi Ado Bayero
• Segun "Aeroland" Adewale
• Shehu Shagari
• Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem
• Soji Adejumo^[1]
• Stephen Adewale
• Stephen Makoji Achema
• Sullivan Chime
• Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefisoye
• Timi Alaibe
• Tonto Dikeh
• Tony Ene Asuquo
• Tayo Alasoadura
• Temitope Aluko
• Tijani Adetoyese Olusi
• Tunde Eso
• Tunde Idiagbon
• Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
• Usman Mamman Durkwa
• Uzoma Emenike
• William Nwankwo Alo
• Wilson Sabiya
• Yakubu Gowon
• Yul Edochie
• Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
• Zainab Abubakar Alman

Human-rights activists

• Aminu Kano
• Ayodele Awojobi
• Beko Ransome-Kuti
• Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi
• Dele Giwa
• Fela Kuti
• Funke Abimbola
• Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
• Gani Fawehinmi
• Kayode Ajulo
• Kiki Mordi
• Olikoye Ransome-Kuti
• Olisa Agbakoba
• Omoyele Sowore
• Segun Awosanya
• Sonny Okosun
• Wole Soyinka
• Festus Keyamo
• Ken Saro-Wiwa

Military

• Adekunle Fajuyi
• Akinloye Akinyemi
• Alexander Ogomudia
• Aliyu Mohammed Gusau
• Alwali Kazir
• Benjamin Adekunle (Black scorpion)
• Buba Marwa
• C. Odumegwu Ojukwu
• Chris Alli
• Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu
  • Dangiwa Umar Halilu Akilu
• Hamza al-Mustapha
• Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida
• Idris Alkali
• Idris Garba
• Ike Nwachukwu
  • Jamila Abubakar Sadiq Malafa John Nmadu Yisa-Doko first indigenous chief of air staff
• Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
• Mamman Vatsa
• Martin Luther Agwai
• M. I. Wushishi
• M. Ndatsu Umaru
• Mohammed Sani Sami
• Muhammadu Buhari
• Muhammed Shuwa
• Murtala Mohammed
• Oladipo Diya
• Olusegun Obasanjo
• Owoye Andrew Azazi
• Paul Omu
• Salihu Ibrahim
• Sani Abacha
• Sani Bello
• Theophilus Danjuma
• Tunde Idiagbon
• Victor Malu
• Yahaya Abubakar
• Yakubu Gowon

Musicians

See main article: List of Nigerian musicians.

Actors

See main article: List of Nigerian actors.

Artists

See main article: List of Nigerian artists and List of Nigerian women artists.

Media

• Ifeoma Aggrey-Fynn (died 2015) radio and television personality
• Sam Amuka-Pemu founder of the Vanguard newspaper, co-founder of The Punch
• Nicole Asinugo screenwriter and presenter
• Nenny B media personality
• Lekan Fatodu publisher of Checkout Magazine
• Dul Johnson (born 1953) filmmaker and author
• Babatunde Jose (1925–2008) journalist and newspaper editor; considered the "grandfather of Nigerian journalism"
• Farooq Kperogi author, columnist, journalism professor at Kennesaw State University
• Dele Momodu publisher, writer/journalist; entrepreneur, CEO of Ovation International magazine
• Benneth Nwankwo (born 1995) photographer, film director, talk show host
• Cornelia O'Dwyer talk show host
• Femi Oke journalist and television presenter; former CNN International television anchor
• Bobby Ologun television personality in Japan and martial artist
• Adenike Oyetunde (born 1986) Nigerian lawyer turned radio host and amputee advocate
• Aisha Salaudeen (2017–present) Nigerian journalist and feminist
• Ikechi Uko publisher, Akwaaba African Travel Market, ATQnews.com; author; travel and tourism media consultant

Bloggers

See main article: List of Nigerian bloggers.

• Kemi Adetiba
• Uche Pedro

Educators

• Abubakar Surajo Imam
• Atinuke Olusola Adebanji – professor of statistics and public
• Claude Ake professor of political economy
• Cletus Nzebunwa Aguwa professor of clinical pharmacy
• Dennis Chima Ugwuegbu (born 1942) professor of psychology
• Etannibi Alemika
• Emenike Ejiogu professor of electrical and electronics engineering
• Jude Rabo vice-chancellor of Federal University, Wukari
• Olutayo Charles Adesina (born 1964) – professor of History
• Tessy Okoli
• Thomas Adesanya Ige Grillo (1927–1998) professor of anatomy

Lawyers

• Kayode Ajulo
• Segun Jegede
• Shaibu Atadoga

Writers

See main article: List of Nigerian writers.

See also: List of Nigerian poets.

• Adaeze Atuegwu
• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Chinua Achebe
• Lesley Nneka Arimah
• Mamman Vatsa
• Ogaga Ifowodo

Business people

See main article: List of Nigerian entrepreneurs.

• Mustapha Abdullahi CEO of Energy Commission of Nigeria
• 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.^{[2] [3]}
• Aliko Dangote
• Ben Murray-Bruce politician and Chairman of Silverbird Group
• Segun Ogunsanya CEO of Airtel Nigeria
• Femi Otedola – Nigerian businessman
• Habeeb Okunola CEO TILT Group of Companies
  • Halima Dangote Mary Nzimiro (1898–1993) businesswoman, politician and women's activist
• Obi Asika
• Sowemimo Abiodun Founder/CEO of CapitalMetriQ Swift Bank
• Taofik Adegbite CEO Marine Platforms

Religion

• Wande Abimbola academician; Ifá priest
• Abubakar Gumi (1924–1992) Islamic scholar
• Enoch Adeboyepastor; general overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God
• Sheikh Abu-Abdullah Adelabu academician; Muslim scholar; writer; academic; publisher; cleric; founder and first president, AWQAF Africa and AWQAF Africa Muslim Open College (London)
• Anthony Olubunmi Okogie Roman Catholic Archbishop of Lagos
• Asi Archibong-Arikpo president of the Presbyterian Women's Guild in Nigeria, 1975–1982
• Benson Idahosa Charismatic Pentecostal preacher; founder, Church of God Mission International
• Bimbo Odukoya pastor; televangelist; founder, Fountain of Life Church
• Chris Okotie
• Chris Oyakhilome televangelist; founding president of Christ Embassy
• Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi beatified by Pope John Paul II
• David Obadiah Lot pastor, Church of Christ
• Bishop David Oyedepo preacher; writer; founder and presiding bishop, Winners' Chapel (also known as Living Faith Church Worldwide); chancellor, Covenant University
• Deborah Omale pastor, Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry
• Dominic Ekandem
• Emmanuel Omale founder, Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry
• Francis Arinze Catholic cardinal
• John Onaiyekan Catholic cardinal
• Ibrahim Zakzaky outspoken Shi'a leader
• Joseph Ayo Babalola founder, Christ Apostolic Church
• Joshua Selman Apostle, founder, Eternity Network International ENI, Koinonia Global
• Matthew Ashimolowo senior pastor, Kingsway International Christian Centre (London, England)
• Peter Akinola Anglican emeritus primate, Church of Nigeria
• Samuel Ajayi Crowther
• Sheikh Abubakre Sidiq Bello founder of Dairat Sidiq Faedot Tijanniyat of Nigeria
• Sheikh Dahiru Usman Islamic scholar, Dariqat Tijjaniya Movement
• T. B. Joshua Christian minister; televangelist and faith healer; founder, Synagogue, Church of All Nations; founder, Christian television station Emmanuel TV
• Taiwo Odukoya senior pastor, The Fountain of Life Church
• William Kumuyi pastor, televangelist; writer; founder and general superintendent, Deeper Life Bible Church

Sports people

See main article: List of Nigerian sportspeople.

International models

• Agbani Darego winner, Miss World 2001
• Ibife Alufohai winner, Miss Valentine International 2010 and founder of Miss Polo International
• Mary Timms face of Next Generation Entertainment Awards 2017
• Nelson Enwerem model, television personality and winner of Mr Nigeria 2018
• Oluchi Onweagba winner, M-Net Face of Africa competition 1998
• Omowunmi Akinnifesi

Science

See main article: List of Nigerian scientists and scholars.

Engineers

• Sulyman Age Abdulkareem academic and chemical engineer
• Esther Titilayo Akinlabi professor of mechanical engineering
• Sarki Auwalu chemical engineer
• Ayodele Awojobi polymath and mechanical engineer
• Olufemi Bamiro professor of mechanical engineering
• Philip Emeagwali 1989 Gordon Bell Prize winner
• Ozak Esu electrical engineer
• Gordian Ezekwe mechanical engineer notable for supervising the construction of the Biafran rocket during the Nigerian Civil War
• Akii Ibhadode mechanical engineer
• Tele Ikuru mechanical engineer
• Farida Kabir (born 1992) – software developer and entrepreneur
• Ekei Essien Oku – first Nigerian woman chief librarian
• Gbenga Sesan Nigeria's first Information Technology Youth Ambassador
• Bamidele Solomon Chemical engineer prominent in Nigeria's biotechnology industry

Mathematicians

• Chike Obi mathematician

Medical practitioners

• Adeoye Lambo psychiatrist
• Ameyo Adadevoh credited with having restricted the spread of Ebola virus in Nigeria
• Bennet Omalu forensic pathologist
• Eyitayo Lambo health economist and technocrat
• Olufunmilayo Olopade oncologist
• Olumbe Bassir biochemist and nutritionist
• Philomena Obiageliuwa Uyanwah – obstetrician and gynecologist
• Uchenna Okoye - cosmetic dentist and media personality

Scientists

• Anthony Adegbulugbe – Energy planning and management specialist with notable contributions to Nigeria's energy sector

Aviators

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

See also

• List of Nigerian Americans
• List of Nigerian Britons

Notes and References

1. Web site: Controversial Letter: Obasanjo Hold Closed Door Meeting with Loyalists - Abusidiqu. abusidiqu.com. 2014-10-03.
2. Web site: Cowrie Flour Mills. cowrieflourmills.com. 2011-08-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20120331061247/http://cowrieflourmills.com/?page_id=126. 2012-03-31. dead.
3. Web site: NIPCO Nigerian Plc . 2011-08-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110307071002/http://www.nipcoplc.com/Board_of_directors.asp . 2011-03-07 . dead .