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
31 years old
Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer of Igbo descent and whose top singles include the 2019 hit song Love Nwantiti
74 years old
16th President of Nigeria since 2023
45 years old
Nigerian footballer born in Uzbekistan and who played as a forward for Lille, Lokomotiv Moscow, Cardiff City, and Nigeria national team
55 years old
Nigerian actress who has won multiple awards, including Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (2008)
35 years old
Nigerian fashion stylist and reality TV actor on Netflix-produced reality show Young, Famous & African
42 years old
Nigerian gospel singer whose famous songs include Alagbada Ina, a collabo with fellow gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey
39 years old
Nigerian Nollywood actress, model, businesswoman, and TV personality known for her versatility across multiple film genres
Died aged 54
Nigerian military dictator who ruled Nigeria from the 1993 coup d'état to his death in 1998
45 years old
Nigerian singer, pastor who sang the popular songs Imela (meaning Thank You, feat. Enitan Adaba), Onise Iyanu, Olowogbogboro
29 years old
Nigerian actress, Nollywood filmmaker, and businesswoman from Benue State, known for her versatile roles in films
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.
