Famous People From Abeokuta, Nigeria & Celebs Born In Abeokuta

This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

Fela Kuti

(Multi-Instrumentalist & the Creator of ‘Afro-beat’, a Genre that Fuses West African Music with American Funk & Jazz)

Listed In: Musicians

Birthdate: October 15, 1938

Sun Sign: Libra

Died: August 2, 1997

Political activist and Afrobeat inventor Fela Kuti initially performed with his band Koola Lobitos and later renamed it Nigeria '70. He was inspired by the Black Power movement, which also gradually transformed his musical style. He married 27 women in 1978, to mark the anniversary of the Kalakuta Republic attack.

Olusegun Obasanjo

(Former President of Nigeria)

Listed In: Leaders

Birthdate: March 5, 1937

Sun Sign: Pisces

Initially a teacher, Olusegun Obasanjo had joined the army as he could not afford college. The People’s Democratic Party leader became the military ruler of Nigeria in 1976 but later handed over his powers to a democratic government. He also became the president 2 decades later.

Wole Soyinka

(Author, Poet, Playwright)

Listed In: Writers

Birthdate: July 13, 1934

Sun Sign: Cancer

Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright, poet, and essayist. In 1986, he became the first sub-Saharan African to be honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature. As a young man, he worked with the Royal Court Theatre in London. In Nigeria, he was actively involved in the country’s freedom struggle. He has taught at various international universities.

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Moshood Abiola

(Nigerian Politician, Businessman, and Publisher)

Listed In: Leaders

Birthdate: August 24, 1937

Sun Sign: Virgo

Died: July 7, 1998

Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was a Nigerian politician, businessman, and publisher. Nicknamed the President Who Never Ruled, Abiola took part in the presidential elections in 1993. Unfortunately, the results of the election were annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, claiming that the election was corrupt and unfair. By the time of his demise, Abiola had become a symbol of democracy.

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

(Prominent Nigerian Feminist and Women's Rights Activist)

Listed In: Activists

Birthdate: October 25, 1900

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Died: April 13, 1978

From being the first female student at her secondary grammar school, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti rose to be Nigeria’s foremost feminist and a champion for women’s rights. Initially a teacher, she launched the Abeokuta Women’s Union and also participated in Nigeria’s independence struggle. She later won the Lenin Peace Prize and the Order of the Niger.

Amos Tutuola

(Nigerian Writer Who Wrote in English)

Listed In: Writers

Birthdate: June 20, 1920

Sun Sign: Gemini

Died: June 8, 1997

Amos Tutuola was a Nigerian writer who wrote his novels in English. Many of his works were influenced by the folk tales of the Yoruba people. Amos Tutuola is credited with co-founding The Mbari Club, a centre for cultural activity.

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Beko Ransome-Kuti

(Physician)

Listed In: Physicians

Birthdate: August 2, 1940

Sun Sign: Leo

Died: February 10, 2006

Adetokunbo Ademola

(Jurist)

Listed In: Lawyers & Judges

Birthdate: February 1, 1906

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Died: January 29, 1993

Peter Akinola

(Former Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria)

Listed In: Miscellaneous

Birthdate: January 27, 1944

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Peter Akinola is the former Primate of the Anglican church in Nigeria. He was also the first Archbishop of the Abuja Province. In 2006, Peter Akinola was named among the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine under the Leaders and Revolutionaries category.

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Famous People Born In Abeokuta