Wole Soyinka
1934 – Present
Nigerian writer (born 1934)
essayistnovelistphilosophertranslatorplaywrightprofessorpoetwriter
Born July 13Wikipedia →Famous People from Nigeria
32 notable historical figures from Nigeria, including leaders, artists, scientists, and other influential people.
association football player (14)politician (5)film actor (3)television actor (3)essayist (2)novelist (2)basketball player (2)activist (2)military officer (1)non-fiction writer (1)
Chinua Achebe
1930 – 2013
Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic (1930-2013)
essayistnovelistphilosopherliterary criticuniversity teacherpoetwriter
Born November 16Wikipedia →Muhammadu Buhari
1942 – 2025
former President of Nigeria from 1983 to 1985 and 2015 to 2025 (born 1942–2025)
military officerpoliticianmilitary personnelteacher
Born December 17Wikipedia →Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
1977 – Present
Nigerian writer (born 1977)
non-fiction writershort story writernovelistjournalistcookpoet
Born September 15Wikipedia →Goodluck Jonathan
1957 – Present
President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015
politician
Born November 20Wikipedia →Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
1951 – 2010
President of Nigeria (1951-2010)
university teacherentrepreneurpolitician
Born August 16Wikipedia →Olusegun Obasanjo
1937 – Present
nigerian president (1999-2007) and military leader (1976–79)
politicianengineermilitary personnel
Born March 5Wikipedia →Mikel John Obi
1987 – Present
Nigerian association football player (born 1987)
association football player
Born April 22Wikipedia →Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
1954 – Present
Director-General of the World Trade Organization
bank managerfinance ministermoney managementdiplomateconomistministerpolitician
Born June 13Wikipedia →Chiwetel Ejiofor
1977 – Present
British actor (born 1977)
film actortelevision actordirectorfilm directorvoice actorstage actoractorscreenwriter
Born July 10Wikipedia →Giannis Antetokounmpo
1994 – Present
Greek basketball player
basketball player
Born December 6Wikipedia →Hakeem Olajuwon
1963 – Present
Nigerian-American basketball player
basketball player
Born January 21Wikipedia →Victor Osimhen
1998 – Present
Nigerian footballer (born 1998)
association football player
Born December 29Wikipedia →Bola Ahmed Tinubu
1952 – Present
12th Governor of Lagos (1999–2007) and President of Nigeria since 2023
President of Nigeriaaccountantpoliticianbusinessperson
Born March 29Wikipedia →Sani Abacha
1943 – 1998
Nigerian military ruler (1943-1998)
politicianmilitary personnel
Born September 20Wikipedia →John Boyega
1992 – Present
Panamian actor (born 1992)
film actortelevision actorstage actoractor
Born March 17Wikipedia →Ahmed Musa
1992 – Present
Nigerian association football player
association football player
Born October 14Wikipedia →Victor Moses
1990 – Present
Nigerian association football player (born 1990)
association football player
Born December 12Wikipedia →Nwankwo Kanu
1976 – Present
Nigerian association football player (born 1976)
association football player
Born August 1Wikipedia →Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
1967 – Present
English actor
film actortelevision actorfilm directoractorscreenwriter
Born August 22Wikipedia →Fela Kuti
1938 – 1997
Nigerian musician and activist (1938–1997)
activistsaxophonistbandleadersinger-songwritersingerconductorcomposer
Born October 15Wikipedia →Obafemi Martins
1984 – Present
Nigerian association football player
association football player
Born October 28Wikipedia →Nnamdi Azikiwe
1904 – 1996
first President of Nigeria (1904-1996)
politician
Born November 16Wikipedia →Alex Iwobi
1996 – Present
Nigerian association football player (born 1996)
association football playermusician
Born May 3Wikipedia →Yakubu
1982 – Present
Nigerian association football player (born 1982)
association football player
Born November 22Wikipedia →Ademola Lookman
1997 – Present
Nigerian-English association football player (born 1997)
association football player
Born October 20Wikipedia →Joseph Yobo
1980 – Present
Nigerian association football player (born 1980)
association football player
Born September 6Wikipedia →Manuel Akanji
1995 – Present
Swiss association football player
association football player
Born July 19Wikipedia →Ken Saro-Wiwa
1941 – 1995
Nigerian social rights activist (1941–1995)
produceractivistenvironmentalisttelevision producerauthorpoetwriterscreenwriter
Born October 10Wikipedia →Kelechi Iheanacho
1996 – Present
Nigerian association football player
association football player
Born October 3Wikipedia →