By Elizabeth Ukey
Copyright nigerianeye
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – First African woman to head the WTO.
Amina J. Mohammed – Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Wole Soyinka – Nobel Prize winner, literary giant.
Chinua Achebe – Author of Things Fall Apart, still studied worldwide.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti – Pioneer of Afrobeat, political icon.
Burna Boy – Grammy winner, sold out London Stadium.
Wizkid – Grammy winner, first Afrobeats star to headline Madison Square Garden.
Nwankwo Kanu – Football legend, Arsenal and Nigeria.
Jay-Jay Okocha – Iconic footballer, known for flair.
Chioma Ajunwa – First Nigerian Olympic gold medalist (1996).
Mary Onyali – Sprint queen, multiple Olympic medals.
Blessing Okagbare – Record-breaking sprinter.
Aliko Dangote – Africa’s richest man, opened the Dangote Refinery.
Mike Adenuga – Globacom founder, telecom giant.
Folorunso Alakija – Powerful businesswoman in oil and fashion.
Fisayo Soyombo – Investigative journalist with global impact.
Debo Adedayo (Mr Macaroni) – Activist and comedian, strong voice in youth advocacy.
Mo Abudu – Media mogul, founder of EbonyLife TV, Netflix partnerships.
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu – Media personality, Big Brother Naija host, pan-African TV icon.
Tunde Onakoya – Chess master, founder of Chess in Slums, gaining global recognition.
Agbani Darego – First Black African to win Miss World (2001).
Adebayo Oke-Lawal – Founder of Orange Culture, pushing Nigerian fashion globally.
Andrea Iyamah – Designer famous for swimwear and bridal fashion worldwide.
Veekee James – Nigerian fashion designer redefining bridal & couture with global recognition.
Shank Comics – Digital comedian and content creator with international collaborations, pushing Nigerian comedy to global audiences.
Aisha Yesufu – Activist, known globally for #EndSARS and #BringBackOurGirls.
Bayo Omoboriowo – Renowned photographer with UN recognition.
Kunle Afolayan – Globally acclaimed Nollywood director.
Genevieve Nnaji – Actress, Netflix breakthrough for Nollywood.
Funke Akindele – Nollywood box office record-setter.
Jola Ayeye – Media personality, writer, co-host of I Said What I Said podcast, amplifying Nigerian youth voices globally.
FK Abudu – Activist and co-host of I Said What I Said, noted for advocacy during #EndSARS and beyond.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Acclaimed author and feminist voice.
Bruce Onobrakpeya – Legendary visual artist.
Hakeem Olajuwon – Basketball Hall of Famer, cultural ambassador.
Hilda Baci – Guinness World Record breaker for cooking marathon.
Davido – Global hitmaker, performed at FIFA World Cup 2022.
Tems – Grammy winner, Oscar nominee, co-wrote Rihanna’s Lift Me Up.
Rema – Broke records with Calm Down, first Afrobeats track to hit Billboard Top 5.
Ayra Starr – Young global Afropop sensation.
Tiwa Savage – Queen of Afrobeats, performed at King Charles’ coronation.
Yemi Alade – Performed for global leaders, UNICEF ambassador.
Mr Eazi – Musician-entrepreneur bridging Africa and the world.
Tobi Amusan – World record holder, 100m hurdles.
Anthony Joshua – Two-time world heavyweight boxing champion.
Kamaru Usman – UFC welterweight champion.
Israel Adesanya – UFC middleweight champion.
Asisat Oshoala – 5-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Barcelona star.
Victor Osimhen – Led Napoli to Serie A victory, CAF Player of the Year 2023.
Ese Brume – Long jump world medalist.
Tony Elumelu – Banker and champion of African entrepreneurship.
Olugbenga Agboola – CEO of Flutterwave, global fintech leader.
Oby Ezekwesili – Co-founder of Transparency International.
Kaffy (Kafayat Shafau-Ameh) – Longest dance party (55 hours, 2006).
Philip Emeagwali – Famed computer scientist, “father of the internet” concept.
Bennet Omalu – Doctor who discovered CTE in American footballers.
Chike Obi – Renowned mathematician.
Oluwatoyin Asojo – Nigerian-born biochemist in the US, cancer research.
Jason Njoku – Founder of IrokoTV, Nollywood to the world.
CKay – Love Nwantiti went viral globally on TikTok.
Fireboy DML – Charted internationally with Peru.
Lisa Folawiyo – Designer celebrated internationally for her Ankara-inspired designs.
IBquake (Ibrahim Suleiman) – Spoken word artist and orator known for powerful performances that inspire Nigerian youth.
Fisayo Longe – Founder of Kai Collective, brought Nigerian fashion to global mainstream with the “Gaia” dress.
Chef Fregz (Gbubemi Fregene) – Celebrity chef bringing Nigerian cuisine to global platforms.
