From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of notable
Nigerian Americans , including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants.
To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Nigerian American and must have references showing they are Nigerian American and are notable.
Academia
Science and engineering
Kunle Olukotun ,
computer scientist and Cadence Design Systems Professor of the
Stanford School of Engineering , professor of
electrical engineering and computer science at
Stanford University
Kunle Olukotun , computer engineer and professor of
electrical engineering and
computer science at
Stanford University and director of the Pervasive Parallelism Laboratory
Ilesanmi Adesida , physicist and material scientist
Victoria Chibuogu Nneji ,
computer scientist and
roboticist
Jimmy Adegoke , climatologist
Omowunmi Sadik , chemist
Wendy Okolo , aerospace research engineer at
NASA Ames Research Center
Akintunde Akinwande , professor of electrical engineering at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Samson Jenekhe , chemical engineer and professor of chemistry at
University of Washington
Oluwatoyin Asojo , biochemist
Winston Wole Soboyejo , professor of
mechanical engineering at
Princeton University and
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Deji Akinwande , professor of electrical and computer engineering at the
University of Texas at Austin , recipient of the
Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
John Dabiri , professor of
aerospace engineering at the
California Institute of Technology , recipient of
MacArthur Fellowship
Alexander Animalu ,
theoretical physicist ; member of the advisory board of the
Physica journal
Francisca Oboh Ikuenobe , geologist and professor of
geology at the
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Soni Oyekan , chemical engineer
Bolaji Aluko , professor of chemical engineering at
Howard University
Lola Eniola-Adefeso , professor of chemical engineering at
University of Michigan
Ndubuisi Ekekwe , electrical and computer engineer
Unoma Ndili Okorafor , computer scientist, wife of Ekpe Okorafor, and daughter of nuclear physicist
Frank Nwachukwu Ndili
Philip Emeagwali , computer scientist and 1989 recipient of
Gordon Bell Prize
Tam David-West , academic and
virologist
Medicine
Latunde Odeku , first Nigerian
neurosurgeon trained in the United States; pioneer of neurosurgery in Africa
Chidi Chike Achebe , physician executive and son of
Chinua Achebe
Bankole Johnson ,
psychiatrist ; discoverer of topiramate, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) facilitator and glutamate antagonist, as an effective treatment for alcoholism.
Olufunmilayo Olopade , hematology
oncologist ; director of the Cancer Risk Clinic at the
University of Chicago Medical Center
Ikenna Ihim , doctor
Ola Akinboboye , nuclear cardiologist
Mojisola Adeyeye ,
pharmacist and professor of
pharmaceutics at
Duquesne University
Bennet Omalu ,
neuropathologist and professor at the
University of California, Davis ; first to discover and publish findings on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American football players
Nelson M. Oyesiku , vice chairman of
neurological surgery and professor of
endocrinology at the
Emory University School of Medicine
Charles Rotimi ,
geneticist and director of the
National Institutes of Health
Olawale Sulaiman , neurosurgeon; professor of neurosurgery at
Tulane University
Segun Toyin Dawodu , physician and professor of
pain medicine
Samuel Dagogo-Jack , discoverer of the first
radioimmunoassay for
epidermal growth factor in human saliva
Elizabeth Ofili , physician and
cardiology researcher
Chidi Chike Achebe , physician executive
Jacqueline Nwando Olayiwola , Chair Professor of the Department of Family Medicine at
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Clement Adebamowo ,
epidemiologist
Folakemi T. Odedina , professor of pharmacy and medicine at
University of Florida
Andrew Agwunobi , CEO of
UConn Health
Humanities and social sciences
Chinua Achebe
Kola Tubosun , linguist and founder of
The YorubaName Project
Jacob Olupona , professor of
African Studies and
African American Studies at
Harvard University
Abiola Irele , literary scholar and former professor at
Harvard University
Claude Ake , political scientist, former professor at
Columbia University and
Yale University
Chinua Achebe , award-winning novelist, professor, literary scholar, and author of
Things Fall Apart
Nwando Achebe , historian, feminist scholar, and daughter of
Chinua Achebe
Farooq Kperogi , journalist and professor of journalism at
Kennesaw State University
Nwando Achebe , historian and feminist scholar; professor of history at
Michigan State University
Toyin Falola , historian and professor of
African Studies
Bamidele A. Ojo , political scientist and
professor of
Political science and
International studies
John Ogbu , anthropologist, "acting white" theorist
Ekpo Eyo , archaeologist and professor of
African arts and
Archeology at
University of Maryland
Akinwumi Ogundiran , archaeologist, Chancellor's Professor and Professor of
Africana Studies ,
Anthropology &
History at
UNC Charlotte .
Obiwu (Obioma Paul Iwuanyanwu), writer and professor of English and creating writing at
Central State University
Wendy Osefo , public affairs academic, professor at the
Johns Hopkins School of Education , and television personality
Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze , philosopher
Nkiru Nzegwu , philosopher and Distinguished Professor for Research at
State University of New York at Binghamton
Kalu Ndukwe Kalu , political scientist and Distinguished Research Professor of
Political Science and National Security Policy at
Auburn University
Stephen Adebanji Akintoye , academic, historian and writer
Saheed Aderinto , professor of history at
Western Carolina University
Elechukwu Njaka , political scientist; author of Igbo Political Culture
Olu Oguibe , professor of art at the
University of Connecticut and senior fellow at the
Smithsonian Institution in
Washington, DC
Chika Okeke-Agulu , art historian
Joy Ogwu , political scientist
Leslye Obiora , professor of law at
University of Arizona
Tejumola Olaniyan , Louise Durham Mead Professor of English and African Cultural Studies, and the Wole Soyinka Professor of the Humanities at the
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Esiaba Irobi , Associate Professor of International Theatre and Film Studies at Ohio University, Athens, USA
Babatunde Lawal , Professor of Art History at
Virginia Commonwealth University .
Mathematics
Academic administration
Okwui Enwezor
Victor Ukpolo , chancellor of the
Southern University at New Orleans
Benjamin Akande , president of
Champlain College and
Westminster College
Babatunde Ogunnaike , dean of the College of Engineering at the
University of Delaware
Joseph Abiodun Balogun , dean of the College of Health Sciences at
Chicago State University
Ilesanmi Adesida , dean and professor emeritus of engineering at the
Grainger College of Engineering (
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ), provost at
Nazarbayev University (in
Kazakhstan )
Johnson O. Akinleye , chancellor of
North Carolina Central University
ImeIme Umana , president of
Harvard Law Review
Nwando Achebe , Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Social Science at
Michigan State University
Okwui Enwezor , senior vice president of
San Francisco Art Institute
John Dabiri , Centennial Chair Professor at
California Institute of Technology
Andrew Agwunobi , president of
University of Connecticut
Toyin Tofade , president of
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Activism
Business
Temie Giwa-Tubosun
Tope Awotona , billionaire, founder and CEO of
Calendly
Kunle Olukotun , founder of
Afara Websystems
Pearlena Igbokwe , chairman of Universal Studios Group (division of
NBCUniversal )
Jessica O. Matthews , venture capitalist and co-inventor of
Soccket
John O. Agwunobi , pediatrician, former fourth-star admiral of the
United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps , former senior vice-president of
Walmart , CEO of
Herbalife
Lazarus Angbazo , president and CEO of
General Electric in Nigeria
Tayo Oviosu , founder and CEO of Paga
Ndubuisi Ekekwe , founder and CEO of First Atlantic Semiconductors & Microelectronics
Soni Oyekan , CEO of Prafis Energy Solutions
Bisi Ezerioha , automotive engineer, racecar driver, industrialist, and CEO of Bisimoto Engineering
Adebayo Alonge , founder and CEO of RxAll Inc.
Nneka Egbujiobi , founder and CEO of Hello Africa
Michael Boulos , business executive and partner of
Tiffany Trump
Adebayo Ogunlesi , investment banker, Chairman and Managing Partner at
Global Infrastructure Partners
Maya Horgan Famodu , venture capitalist and founder of Ingressive
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala , Director-General, World Trade Organization
Magnus L. Kpakol , Texas-based CEO and chairman of Economic and Business Strategies; former chief economic advisor to President
Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria
Chris Aire , president of Solid 21 Incorporated
Angelica Nwandu , founder of
The Shade Room
Tiyan Alile , celebrity chef and restaurateur
Government and politics
Wally Adeyemo ,
United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury (2021–present)
Esther Agbaje ,
Democratic member of the
Minnesota House of Representatives (2021–present)
John O. Agwunobi , former Secretary of
United States Department of Health and Human Services (2006-2007)
Yinka Faleti , Democratic candidate for
Missouri Secretary of State in the
2020 election
Carol Kazeem , Pennsylvania State Representative
Richard Komi , former Democratic member of the
New Hampshire House of Representatives (2018-2020)
Emmanuel Onunwor , former mayor of
East Cleveland ,
Ohio (1998-2004)
Vop Osili , president of the
Indianapolis City-County Council (2018–present)
Oye Owolewa , Democratic
shadow representative for the
District of Columbia in the
United States House of Representatives (2021–present)
Yemi Mobolade , mayor of
Colorado Springs, Colorado (2023-present)
Journalism
Sade Baderinwa , TV news anchor
Lola Ogunnaike , entertainment journalist
Adaora Udoji ,
Court TV host;
CNN correspondent
Bukola Oriola , journalist
[1]
Ijeoma Oluo , author and commentator
Wendy Osefo , political commentator
Alexis Okeowo , staff writer at
The New Yorker
Chika Oduah , correspondent for
VICE News
Toluse Olorunnipa , White House Bureau Chief for
The Washington Post
Chike Frankie Edozien , director of
New York University ,
Accra
Karen Attiah , editor for The Washington Post
Sports
Basketball
Hakeem Olajuwon
Arike Ogunbowale
Soccer
Martial arts
Other
Music
Davido
Tosin Abasi
Abiodun Koya , classical opera
Tosin Abasi , lead guitarist of
Animals as Leaders
Tunde Adebimpe , musician, actor
Tunji Balogun , record label executive
Chamillionaire , rapper
eLDee , musician, record label executive
Chika , rapper
Chikezie , singer
Cozz , rapper
Davido , musician
Fat Tony , rapper
Ilacoin , musician, creator of the "Pause" game
Jidenna , rapper
Kami de Chukwu , rapper
Lil' O , rapper
Fela Sowande , musician and composer
Maxo Kream , rapper
Kevin Olusola , cellist and singer-songwriter
Toby Foyeh , guitarist, singer, composer, and producer
Tony Okungbowa , DJ
Kevin Olusola , musician, beatboxer
Shaboozey , rapper, singer, and music producer
Sonny Digital , music producer
Tyler, The Creator , rapper
Michael Uzowuru , music producer
Wale , rapper
Wande , rapper,
A&R
Patrice Wilson , music producer
Fred Onovwerosuoke , composer
Ahamefule J. Oluo , jazz trumpeter
Tobe Nwigwe , rapper
VanJess , R&B duo
Dot da Genius , music producer
Film
David Oyelowo
Uzo Aduba , actress
Sope Aluko , actress
Gbenga Akinnagbe , actor
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje , actor
Chet Anekwe , actor
David Oyelowo , actor
Megalyn Echikunwoke , actress
Rick Famuyiwa , director
Osas Ighodaro , actress
Annie Ilonzeh , actress
Nyambi Nyambi , actor
Adepero Oduye , actress
Dayo Okeniyi , actor
Olatunde Osunsanmi , director
Chiké Okonkwo , actor
Folake Olowofoyeku , actress
Okieriete Onaodowan , actor
Yvonne Orji , actress
Rotimi , actor
Chet Anekwe , actor
Chuku Modu , actor
Sam Adegoke , actor
Chinonye Chukwu , director
Susan Nwokedi , filmmaker
Ego Nwodim , actress, comedian
Gina Yashere , actress, comedian
Jovan Adepo , actor
Myles Grier , TV actor, producer, writer
Joy Sunday , actress
Ayo Edebiri , actress, writer
Literature
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Nnedi Okorafor
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ,
MacArthur Fellow
Nnedi Okorafor , recipient of
Nebula and
Hugo Award
Chris Abani , writer and poet
Tomi Adeyemi , novelist
Adaeze Atuegwu , writer
Tochi Onyebuchi , novelist
Jordan Ifueko , novelist
Teju Cole , writer and artist
Akwaeke Emezi , writer
Chinelo Okparanta , novelist
Uzodinma Iweala , novelist
Uche Nduka , poet
Bayo Ojikutu , creative writer
Visual arts
Victor Ekpuk , artist
Ibiyinka Alao , architect
Toyin Ojih Odutola , graphic artist
Ade A. Olufeko , technologist and international curator
Kehinde Wiley , portrait painter
Marcia Kure , artist
Izzy Odigie , choreographer
Amarachi Nwosu , documentary filmmaker and photographer
Mobolaji Dawodu , fashion designer
Oshoke Abalu , architect and futurist
Suzanna Ogunjami , artist
Mendi & Keith Obadike , artists
Adejoke Tugbiyele , sculptor
Other
References
^
"Bukola" . Imprisoned Show. December 8, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2013 .
^ Sierra, Jorge.
"Kenny Adeleke: "I don't think anybody plays harder than me" " . Hoops Hype . USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. Retrieved March 14, 2013 .
^ Scheiber, Dave (July 27, 2004).
"Low profile Most don't recognize the man driving them in a cab. Only a few find out Obed Ariri set records as a Bucs kicker" .
Tampa Bay Times . Retrieved March 14, 2013 .
^
"Samkon Gado" (PDF) . Tennessee Titans. Retrieved February 15, 2013 .
^ Kiefer, David (September 18, 2014).
"Stanford's Chioma Ubogagu chases one more shot on soccer journey" .
^
"WWE Performance Center welcomes new class of recruits" .
WWE . April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015 .