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20 Most Famous People in Nigeria 2023
Being influential is one thing, famous is another, this list which contains the most famous people in Nigeria select from people who have done exceptionally well, and the impact on the lager mass is incredibly.
When it comes to a list of the most famous people in Nigeria, you must understand that the list is endless and we will do a bit of justice to it. In a population of about 230 million people, you have to be exceptionally popular to be among the most famous, especially among the top 20.
Being influential is one thing, famous is another. This list features the most renowned individuals in Nigeria who have excelled in their respective fields, leaving a remarkable impact on the masses and making a lasting impression on their journey towards success. Their contributions have earned them widespread popularity.
This article containing the top most famous people in Nigeria contains some of the most lovable people across religions and diverse cultural groups in the country. So, as we take a five into this list, sit back and relax as we journey together in this article.
1. Aliko Dangote
Aliko Dangote is a known name not only in Nigeria or Africa but also in Europe and throughout the world and it would not come as a surprise that the richest black man in the world is the first to top this list. The richest man in Nigeria who is worth billions in dollars is associated with many consumable goods in the country and Africa and most importantly, his cement plant is the biggest in Africa which makes him more famous. Also, Dangote is a friend of American business magnate Bill Gates and through their partnership has launched one of the biggest projects in Nigeria and Africa furthermore solidifying his place on this list.
2. Pastor Adeboye
Pastor Adeboye is a Nigerian pastor and General overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the biggest churches not only in Nigeria but the world. It is located in 200 countries out of 206 countries in the world. Adeboye is a top religious leader in Nigeria influencing the religious landscape of the country which furthermore increases his popularity being a father figure to many.
3. Wizkid
When talking about modern music, Wizkid is a name that most people reckon with. Wizkid popularity has grown out of the shore of Nigeria or Africa, with his ability and talent he has been able to reach as far as where music can be heard not only appealing to the young alone but even the aged reconciling with his music. Most people consider Wizkid as one of the pioneers of Nigerian music reaching out to a larger audience all over the world on all continents.
4. Davido
Davido is a superstar and everyone knows this, making him one of the most famous people in Nigeria. The pioneer of many hit songs and popular slang and dance moves is also the most followed person on social media in Nigeria, so you would not expect any less from him. Having graced the limelight more than a decade ago, Davido remains one of the celebrities who helped pushed out Nigerian music to the world thereby giving it the attention it has now.
5. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Omotola is a Nigerian actress and filmmaker, singer, philanthropist and former model who gained popularity appearing in over 300 films in her career so far. And among Nigerian actors, Omotola has a special place in the hearts of millions of Nigeria. She’s Nigeria’s most loved woman from Nollywood. Additionally, she is one of the most celebrities in Nigeria and her career in show business has aided the popularity she enjoys.
6. Folorunsho Alakija
Folorusho Alakija is the most popular business women as well as one of the richest women and people in Nigeria. Akija has been in the Nigerian business scene for decades which has contributed to her popularity. She is having business interests in many industries, but she focuses more on oil exploration. Folorunsho is the managing director of The Rose of Sharon Group and the executive vice-chairman of Famfa Oil Limited.
7. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda has gained popularity among the larger audience of writers and readers which made her one of the most famous people in Nigeria. As a writer, Chimamanda has authored many works of novels, short stories and nonfiction books. Also, she is known for writing so many novels but some of which were the Half of a yellow sun which was adapted into a film. Her theme revolves around politics, culture, race, and gender. Her novels, short stories, and plays have all received both public and critical acclaim.
8. Olusegun Obasanjo
Obasanjo is an elder statesman and a former head of state in Nigeria. He played a pivotal role in the struggle for Nigeria’s return to democratic rule. Being a former general and and head of state during the Nigerian military rule, Obasanjo was one of the major people who were instrumental in the Nigerian civil war coming to an end as a senior officer after which he was made the head of state from 1976 to 1979. One of the reasons why Obasanjo is widely respected, known and loved was that when he had the power in his grasp he choose to let it go by overseeing an election which would restore democracy in 1979. Additionally, gained more popularity as the first democratic president of the fourth republic, a democracy which Nigeria still practices today.
9. Peter Obi
The former Anambra state governor Peter has been in the limelight of Nigerian politics even before he became the governor of his state. Peter Obi is also a businessman and philanthropist and he has held various positions in the financial institution of the country. He became one of the most famous people in Nigeria due to the build-up of the Nigerian 2023 general election which he contested for a s president, coming in third place with millions of votes. His idea is gains acceptance among the majority of youth and educated people who see him as a renewed hope for the country.
10. Muhammadu Buhari
Buhari is a former Nigerian president who had previously served as a head of state during military rule. He became incredibly famous in Nigeria during his administration as president of the country, which most consider to be a time that yielded unprecedented reforms. Aside from being the president of over 200 million people which can make you popular, his popularity as a person was however influenced by the inadequacies in his presidency making life harder for the Nigerian people.
11. Wole Soyinka
Wole Soyinka is a playwright, novelist, poet, and essayist, he was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature for his work in the above-listed areas. In addition to being a novelist whose work cut across different areas of life which had impacted many people, Soyinka is a strong critic of government. During the military rule in Nigeria and Africa from the 60s to the 90s, Soyinka made his stance known by voicing his stand about a need to return to democracy, speaking against the Military government and the like of Mugabe and other African countries. He is also a recipient of many honours and awards which not only made him one of the most famous people in Nigeria but also one of the most influential and valuable people in Nigeria.
12. Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe remains one the most influential person in African history and that explains why he is one of the most famous in Nigeria. He was a prolific writer, and novelist whose work is one of the most impactful among Nigerian writers across Africa and the world as a whole. Achebe has written some of the best and finest pieces the world has ever seen which has become a guiding base for most people and countries across different social, economic and cultural diversity.
13. Jay-Jay Okocha
Okocha is a former football player who has represented the country in many tournaments and competitions aside from paying for other international clubs, which all contribute to his popularity among the most famous people in Nigeria. He is generally regarded as the greatest African player while some fans and lover takes it a little bit far acclaiming him as the greatest of all time. Well, the truth is there for everyone to see that he is truly a phenomenal player with great skills which made everyone love him. Okocha is like the standard of a football god with many players aspiring to be like him or try to almost attain his greatness.
14. Fela AnÃkúlápó Kuti
Fela was a singer, musician, bandleader, composer, and political activist, who stood out in his time and thereby affected people throughout the world with his music. He is not just a person, he is an ideology, a definition of struggle and a resilient spirit that can not be broken. Abami Eda as he is popularly called serves as an inspiration to many Africans and many Nigerian singers who have gained fame or have achieved great feats in their careers.
15. 2Baba
Tubaba or 2Face is a singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, he remains one of the most influential as well as popular due to his impact on the music and entertainment industry in Nigeria and Africa. 2Baba is one of the new legendary musicians in Nigeria and many consider him as one of Africa’s greatest musicians of all time. He has produced many albums and has been said to have been the one who pioneer the move awareness of Nigerian music in Africa in the 2000s.
16. Osita Iheme
Osita is an actor fondly called by his professional name Paw Paw, a character which he had played for more than 2 decades of his acting career. Paw Paw is undoubtedly one of the most famous actors in the Nollywood industry and has gone on to remain a household name that every person, religion or demographic can relate to. Additionally, he has acted in over 100 movies in his career and remains one of the most loved actors in Nigeria that have gained incredible fame. Aside from his acting popularity, Paw Paw’s character has been trending through memes since 2019 on Twitter (now known as X) and other social media platforms globally.
17. Chinedu Ikedieze
Chinedu Ikedieze is also an actor known for his comedic role in films. Alongside Osita Iheme, he played the role of Aki, with the two usually committing mischief in any movies they appear in. Also, Aki as he goes by his professional name, has acted in tons of films with a career spanning over 20 years have made him one of the most famous actors in Nigeria. He has also been awarded many honours for his role over these years both locally and internationally.
18. Agbani Darego
Agbani Darego gained national and international fame in the 2000s when she competed in the miss world beauty pageant in 2001, where she eventually came top and was crowned queen. She made history not only by becoming the first black person to clinch the title and the only Nigerian to ever do the same. As a model, Agbani Darego gained incredible influence modelling for some of the biggest names in the fashion industry and L’Oréal which makes her the only second black person to receive such honour.
19. Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Bola Ahmed is Nigeria’s president who served as a former governor of Lagos state. Tinubu is considered a politician with great astute and an intelligent person who understands politics. He, however, became incredibly famous in Nigeria in the last election which he won by defeating his political opponents. Although, he had been on the political scene in Nigeria since the 90s when he was a politician and political activist. The fame he now enjoys is due to the popularity he gained in the buildup towards the election that brought him in as president.
20. Chiwetel Ejiofor
Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of the most celebrated actors of Nigerian origin. Born to Nigerian Igbo parents Chiwetel is a recipient of many awards and honours. In Nigeria, he remains of the most famous people. Notably, aside from his other incredible works, Chiwetel is likely known for his role in the film, Half of a Yellow Sun in 2013, an adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel which talks about the struggle to establish Biafra as an independent republic.
Conclusion
The most famous people in Nigeria represent different perspectives to every Nigerian. While some are inspirations to the life many Nigerians desire others are representations of a time of struggle and the show of the prevalent spirit that the Nigerian people have.
In addition, while popularity is not a thing you just decide to be, it is rather a step taken one at a time into doing something that matters and making a positive influence that will impact many lives. Nigeria is blessed with people of different ideas but a Pan-African spirit to see the country grow as well as the development of the continent of Africa.