Famous Nigerian Women

Vote for Your Favourite Nigerian Women

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 1 
Sade
(Frontwoman of the Soul Band Sade)
Sade
37
Birthdate: January 16, 1959
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ibadan, Nigeria

Nigerian-British singer Helen Folasade Adu, or Sade Adu, often blends Afro-Cuban tunes with soul and smooth jazz in her music. The Grammy Award winner had initially studied fashion designing and been a model. The founder of the band Sade, she has released iconic tracks such as No Ordinary Love.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
21
Birthdate: September 15, 1977
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Enugu, Nigeria

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian writer and feminist. She is popular for writing novels, such as Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun. She is credited with popularizing African literature among a new generation of readers, especially in the United States. In 2015, she was named in Time magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People.

 3 
Tiwa Savage
(Nigerian Singer and Actress Known for Her Album ‘Once Upon a Time’ and ‘I Look to You’)
Tiwa Savage
14
Birthdate: February 5, 1980
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria

Tiwa Savage is a Nigerian singer, actress, and songwriter. After having created an opportunity to establish herself in the United Kingdom, Savage returned to Nigeria and played an important role in elevating the Nigerian music industry. In 2018, she became the first woman to win the MTV Europe Music Award under the Best African Act category.

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 4 
Yvonne Orji
(Actress)
Yvonne Orji
9
Birthdate: December 2, 1983
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Port Harcourt, Rivers State Rivers, Nigeria
 5 
Folorunsho Alakija
(Business Women)
Folorunsho Alakija
4
Birthdate: July 15, 1951
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria Protectorate
 6 
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
(Nigerian-American Economist Who Has Served in Several Ministerial Positions in Nigeria)
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
9
Birthdate: June 13, 1954
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ogwashi Ukwu, Nigeria
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian-American economist and political figure. She served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2006 before serving as the Coordinating Minister for the Economy of Nigeria from 17 August 2011 to 29 May 2015. Ngozi also served as the Minister of Finance on two separate occasions; from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2015.
 7 
Genevieve Nnaji
(Nigerian actress)
Genevieve Nnaji
11
Birthdate: May 3, 1979
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mbaise
 8 
Hausa Queen Amina
(Queen of Nigeria)
Hausa Queen Amina
14
Birthdate: 1533 AD
Birthplace: Zaria, Nigeria
Died: 1610 AD

Nigerian warrior queen Amina ruled the 16th-century city-state Zazzau at a time when women leaders were hard to come by. Her 34-year-old reign saw her expanding her kingdom and developing trade routes. Some believe she was merely a mythical figure, but remnants of the walls she had built prove otherwise.

 9 
Toks Olagundoye
(Actress)
Toks Olagundoye
4
Birthdate: September 16, 1975
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 10 
Funke Akindele
(Nigerian actress)
Funke Akindele
11
Birthdate: August 24, 1977
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ikorodu
 11 
Adetomiwa Edun
(Actor best known for his roles as Sir Elyan in the television show Merlin)
Adetomiwa Edun
2
Birthdate: March 4, 1984
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 12 
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
(Actress)
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
6
Birthdate: February 7, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lagos
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 13 
Agbani Darego
(Model & Beauty Queen)
Agbani Darego
3
Birthdate: December 22, 1982
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Abonnema, Nigeria

Nigerian beauty queen Agbani Darego made headlines with her Miss World win in 2001, when she became the first indigenous African to win the pageant. A bright computer science student back then, she was also the first from her country to make it to the Miss Universe Top 10.

 14 
Diezani Alison-Madueke
(Nigerian Politician and the First Woman Who Served as the President of ‘OPEC’)
Diezani Alison-Madueke
3
Birthdate: December 6, 1960
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Port Harcourt

Noted Nigerian politician Diezani K. Alison-Madueke held three important positions in the Nigerian federal government including as Minister of Mines & Steel Development and as first female Minister of Petroleum Resources and Minister of Transportation. She is also the first woman who was inducted to the board of Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria and elected as the President of OPEC.

 15 
Adepero Oduye
(Actress)
Adepero Oduye
4
Birthdate: January 11, 1978
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York (state) New York, U.S.
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 16 
Ini Edo
(Actress who has featured in more than 100 movies since her debut)
Ini Edo
2
Birthdate: April 23, 1982
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 17 
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
(Prominent Nigerian Feminist and Women's Rights Activist)
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
6
Birthdate: October 25, 1900
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Abeokuta
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.

 18 
Rema
(Singer)
Rema
8
Birthdate: May 1, 2000
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Benin City, Nigeria
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 19 
Di'Ja
(Singer)
Di'Ja
1
Birthdate: August 14, 1989
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kaduna, Nigeria
 20 
Joke Silva
(Nigerian actress)
Joke Silva
4
Birthdate: September 29, 1961
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lagos, Lagos State
 21 
Buchi Emecheta
(Nigerian-born Novelist)
Buchi Emecheta
2
Birthdate: July 21, 1944
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Yaba Department
Died: January 25, 2017

Nigerian-born novelist Buchi Emecheta OBE, who was based in the UK since 1962, gained critical-acclaim and recognition for her literary works with themes including child-slavery, female independence, motherhood and freedom through education. Notable works of Emecheta include novels like Second Class CitizenThe Bride PriceThe Joys of Motherhood and The Slave Girl. The latter won her Jock Campbell Award

 22 
Patience Ozokwor
(Nigerian Actress)
Patience Ozokwor
4
Birthdate: September 14, 1958
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ngwo, Nigeria
 23 
Mo Abudu
(Talk Show Host, Media Proprietor)
Mo Abudu
7
Birthdate: September 11, 1964
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria

Born in London, Nigerian media magnate Mo Abudu is known for her pathbreaking contribution to the African media. She launched EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first global all-black lifestyle channel, and executive-produced Fifty, the highest-grossing Nigerian film of 2015. A former recruitment consultant, she is also part of the British Psychological Society.

 24 
Yvonne Okoro
(Actress)
Yvonne Okoro
1
Birthdate: November 25, 1984
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Tamale, Ghana
 25 
Adunni Ade
(Actress, Model)
Adunni Ade
3
Birthdate: June 7, 1976
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Queens, New York, United States
 26 
Nicole Moudaber
(Disc jockey)
Nicole Moudaber
0
Birthdate: January 19, 1977
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
 27 
Nneka
(Songwriter, Singer, Actor)
Nneka
1
Birthdate: December 24, 1980
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Warri, Nigeria
 28 
Cait O'Riordan
(She played bass guitar for the Irish punk/folk band the Pogues from 1983 to 1986)
Cait O'Riordan
4
Birthdate: January 4, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
 29 
Cait O'Riordan
(British Musician, Bass Guitar Player, and Radio Host)
Cait O'Riordan
3
Birthdate: January 4, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
 30 
Abi Olajuwon
(Basketball coach)
Abi Olajuwon
1
Birthdate: July 6, 1988
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 31 
Ayo
(Singer-Songwriter)
Ayo
3
Birthdate: September 14, 1980
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Frechen, Germany
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 32 
Rosaline Meurer
(2014 role as Kaylah in the TV series Oasis and 2018 role as Kemi Alesinloye in Ayo Makun's Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons)
Rosaline Meurer
0
Birthdate: February 15, 1992
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: The Gambia
 33 
Lola Rae
(Singer, Dancer)
Lola Rae
2
Birthdate: January 20, 1991
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Obalende, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
 34 
Caroline Danjuma
(Actress)
Caroline Danjuma
0
Birthdate: June 26, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Maiduguri, Nigeria
 35 
Eku Edewor
(Actress, Television presenter, and Model)
Eku Edewor
1
Birthdate: December 18, 1986
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: London, England
 36 
Chioma Ajunwa
(Nigerian Former Track and Field Athlete and Football Player)
Chioma Ajunwa
0
Birthdate: December 25, 1970
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Imo, Nigeria
 37 
Temi Fagbenle
(Basketball player)
Temi Fagbenle
2
Birthdate: September 8, 1992
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Barnet, London, England
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 38 
Alexandra Asogwa
(Reality Star)
Alexandra Asogwa
0
Birthdate: February 15, 1994
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Nsukka, Nigeria
 39 
Bisola Aiyeola
(Actress and Reality Star)
Bisola Aiyeola
2
Birthdate: January 21, 1986
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Nigeria
 40 
Kristine Anigwe
(Basketball player)
Kristine Anigwe
1
Birthdate: March 31, 1997
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: London, England
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 41 
Flora Nwapa
(Nigerian Author and Mother of Modern African Literature)
Flora Nwapa
2
Birthdate: January 13, 1931
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oguta, Nigeria
Died: October 16, 1993
Flora Nwapa was a Nigerian author best remembered for her debut novel Efuru, which achieved international recognition. She is credited with founding Tana Press in 1970, becoming one of the first women publishers from Africa. Flora Nwapa is widely regarded as a predecessor to a generation of women writers in Africa.
 42 
Adeola Fayehun
(YouTube Star)
Adeola Fayehun
0
Birthdate: July 6, 1984
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Nigeria
 43 
Demi Isaac Oviawe
(Actress)
Demi Isaac Oviawe
2
Birthdate: November 2, 2000
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Benin City, Nigeria
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 44 
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
(Expert on African Agriculture and Social Innovation)
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
1
Birthdate: March 22, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Enugu, Nigeria
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is an author, entrepreneur, public speaker, and consultant. She is as an expert on African agriculture and social innovation. Over the years, Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli has worked closely with several non-profit organizations. She is also credited with founding two nonprofits, namely Ndu Ike Akunuba and LEAP Africa.
 45 
Mimi Fawaz
(Nigerian-Lebanese sports journalist, show host and presenter)
Mimi Fawaz
0
Birthplace: Lebanon
 46 
Nikki Laoye
(Singer)
Nikki Laoye
1
Birthdate: December 19, 1980
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
 47 
Gloria Oloruntobi
(Nigerian Comedian)
Gloria Oloruntobi
0
Birthdate: February 6, 1997
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Edo, Nigeria
 48 
Sola David-Borha
(Chief Executive (CEO) of Africa Regions at the Standard Bank Group Since January 2017)
Sola David-Borha
0
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
 49 
Simidele Adeagbo
(Nigerian Skeleton Racer)
Simidele Adeagbo
0
Birthdate: July 29, 1981
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 50 
Lola Maja
(Make-up Artist, Businesspeople)
Lola Maja
0
Birthdate: January 26, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria