Lists of Nigerians

This article is part of a series on the Nigerians.

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

This is a dynamic list. It may never be fully completed. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

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

N–Z

Namadi Sambo
Nasir Adhama
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Nnamdi Azikiwe – first president of Nigeria
Nwafor Orizu – Nigeria's second head of state (1965–1966)
Nyesom Wike
Obafemi Awolowo
Ogbonnaya Onu
Okechukwu Enelamah
Oladipo Diya
Oloye Akin Alabi
Oludaisi Elemide
Olusegun Obasanjo
Olusola Saraki
O. C. Adesina – professor of history at the University of Ibadan and Global Professor of History at the University of Manchester
Owoidighe Ekpoatai
Patricia Etteh
Patrick Asadu
Patrick Obahiagbon
Paul Ururuka
Peter Obi
Peter Odili
Philip Agbese
Philip Effiong
Philip Ikeazor
Princess Pat Ajudua
Remi Babalola
Reno Omokri
Richard Bamisile
Rochas Okorocha
Rotimi Amaechi
Rukayya Dawayya
S. A. Ajayi
Saidu Musa Abdullahi
Saleh Mamman
Salihu Yakubu-Danladi
Sam Obi
Samuel Adesina
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
Tele Ikuru
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
Yahaya Madawaki
Yakubu Gowon
Yul Edochie
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
Zainab Abubakar Alman

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

Main article: List of Nigerian musicians

Actors

List of Nigerian actors

Artists

List of Nigerian 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
George Noah (born 1957) – journalist and former state official
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
Tunde Rahman – journalist, editor, and media advisor to president of Nigeria
Aisha Salaudeen (born 2017) – Nigerian journalist and feminist
Ikechi Uko – publisher, Akwaaba African Travel Market, ATQnews.com; author; travel and tourism media consultant

Educators

Abubakar Surajo Imam
Joseph Agbakoba – professor of practical philosophy
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
Kate Omenugha (born 1965) – educator and politician
Thomas Adesanya Ige Grillo (1927–1998) – professor of anatomy

Lawyers

Kayode Ajulo
Richard Ayodele Akintunde
Shaibu Atadoga
Segun Jegede
Christopher Sapara Williams (1855–1915) first indigenous Nigerian Lawyer^[2]

Writers

List of Nigerian writers See also: List of Nigerian poets

Business people

Main article: List of Nigerian entrepreneurs

Mustapha Abdullahi – CEO of Energy Commission of Nigeria
Sowemimo Abiodun – founder/CEO of CapitalMetriQ Swift Bank
Taofik Adegbite – CEO of Marine Platforms
Bolaji Akinboro Nigerian entrepreneur
Obi Asika
Aliko Dangote
Halima Dangote
Daere Akobo
Theophilus Adebayo Doherty (1895–1974) Founding of the Nigerian Stock Exchange & the National Bank of Nigeria. Businessman, Politician & Lawyer.^[3]
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.^[4]^[5]
Ben Murray-Bruce – politician and Chairman of Silverbird Group
Johnel Nnamani — co-founder of Nnamani Music Group
Mary Nzimiro (1898–1993) – businesswoman, politician and women's activist
Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu (1909–1966) Nigerian business tycoon
Segun Ogunsanya – CEO of Airtel Nigeria
Femi Otedola – Nigerian businessman
Candido Da Rocha (1860–1959) – Nigerian businessman^[6]^[7]
Akintola Williams (1919–2023) First Nigerian to qualify as a chartered accountant. Founding of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.^[8]

Religion

Wande Abimbola – academician; Ifá priest
Abubakar Gumi (1924–1992) – Islamic scholar
Enoch Adeboye – pastor; general overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God
Sheikh Abu-Abdullah Adelabu – academician;
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
Olakunle Soriyan
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 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

Main article: List of Nigerian sportspeople

Human-rights activists

Bloggers

List of Nigerian bloggers

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

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
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
Rhoda Gumus – professor of Chemical Engineering and National Electoral Commissioner of INEC

Mathematicians

Chike Obi – mathematician

Medical practitioners

Adeoye Lambo – psychiatrist
Abayomi Ajayi – obstetrician
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
Ayibatonye Owei – obstetrician and gynecologist

Scientists

Anthony Adegbulugbe – energy planning and management specialist
Nenibarini Zabbey – environmental scientist and professor of Hydrobiology

Aviators

References

↑ "Controversial Letter: Obasanjo Hold Closed Door Meeting with Loyalists - Abusidiqu." ', abusidiqu.com. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
↑ Reporter, Our. "The legal profession and role of lawyers in Nigerian politics." tribune.com.ng. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
↑ Sylva, Victor. "Strengthening the Competitiveness of African Economies." ', 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
↑ "Cowrie Flour Mills." cowrieflourmills.com. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
↑ "NIPCO Nigerian Plc." '. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
↑ Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 127.
↑ "Meet Nigeria’s first millionaire: Candido Da Rocha – CBS PLC Blog." '. Retrieved 2026-04-05.
↑ "About Us." The Nigerian Exchange Group.

[1] "Controversial Letter: Obasanjo Hold Closed Door Meeting with Loyalists - Abusidiqu." ', abusidiqu.com. Retrieved 2014-10-03.

[2] Reporter, Our. "The legal profession and role of lawyers in Nigerian politics." tribune.com.ng. Retrieved 2026-04-05.

[3] Sylva, Victor. "Strengthening the Competitiveness of African Economies." ', 2021-08-25. Retrieved 2026-04-05.

[4] "Cowrie Flour Mills." cowrieflourmills.com. Retrieved 2011-08-25.

[5] "NIPCO Nigerian Plc." '. Retrieved 2011-08-25.

[6] Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 127.

[7] "Meet Nigeria’s first millionaire: Candido Da Rocha – CBS PLC Blog." '. Retrieved 2026-04-05.

[8] "About Us." The Nigerian Exchange Group.

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