Nigeria is famous as one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. It has over 200 million people who speak over 500 languages. It is also home to some of the most famous people from Africa. Some of the most famous people from Nigeria include award winning musicians Yemi Alade, Burna Boy, Davido, Fela Kuti, WizKid, and Tiwa Savage.
Nollywood is the world’s second-largest film industry, and it has produced many famous actors and actresses. These include the comedic duo Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze, Mercy Johnson Okojie, Chike Daniels, Ruth Kadiri, and Maurice Sam. Together, the leading Nigerian actors have produced thousands of movies, and are continuously influencing African pop culture.
Famous Nigerian celebrities and personalities
President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007
Nigerian singer who sings a mix of Afropop, dancehall, pop and R&B, & her hits include Johnny (2014), Africa ft Sauti Sol (2016)
Died aged 82
Nigerian former footballer who played as a defender for AC Milan & Inter Milan, and a pastor in Lagos, Nigeria
Nigerian pastor who is the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God founded in 1952 in Nigeria
Nigerian nollywood actress whose recent movies include Saving Rita, Everybody Loves Jenifa
Veteran Nigerian/ Nollywood actress who has acted in over 100 movies and in some of Nollywood's highest grossing films
Nigerian businessman famous as the richest man in Africa and the richest black man in the world with a net worth of about $26.3 billion
Nigerian actor, author, film producer and comedian famous in his role as Pawpaw in Aki na Ukwa (2002)
Famous people from Nigeria
The North-western country is also home to award winning authors who include emerging voices in literature Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Purple Hibiscus) and Ayobami Adebayo (Stay With Me).
Legendary authors Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart), Wole Soyinka (The Lion and the Jewel) and Elechi Amadi who wrote The Concubine were also born in Nigeria.
Africa’s most populous country has also produced talented and globally reknowned sportspeople who include footballers Victor Osimhen and John Obi Mikel. Other famous Nigerians are the continent’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, Catholic cardinal Francis Arinze, and former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
