List of Nigerian Americans

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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.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by with reliable sources.

Academia[]

Science and engineering[]

Kunle Olukotun
  • 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
  • Christopher I. Chalokwu, geologist
  • 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
  • Christopher I. Chalokwu, geologist
  • 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
  • Ekpe Okorafor, professor of computer science at University of Texas at Dallas and husband of Unoma Ndili Okorafor
  • 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[]

Bennet Omalu
  • 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

Mathematics[]

  • Nkechi Agwu, ethnomathematician and historian of mathematics
  • Abba Gumel, computational mathematician and mathematical biologist, professor at Arizona State University
  • Chike Obi, pure mathematician
  • Kate Okikiolu, mathematical analyst
  • Yewande Olubummo, mathematical analyst
  • Grace Alele-Williams, professor of mathematics education

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

Activism[]

  • Chief Temitope Ajayi, activist
  • Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu, autism and HIV advocate
  • Colion Noir (Collins Iyare Idehen Jr.), gun rights activist and spokesperson for the National Rifle Association
  • Opeoluwa Sotonwa, disability rights activist
  • Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist
  • Opal Tometi, social activist and co-founder of Black Lives Matter

Business[]

Temie Giwa-Tubosun
  • Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder of LifeBank
  • 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, economist at World Bank
  • 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[]

Journalism[]

Sports[]

Basketball[]

Hakeem Olajuwon
Arike Ogunbowale

Football[]

Soccer[]

Martial Arts[]

  • Sesugh Uhaa (Apollo Crews), professional wrestler[6]
  • Chike Lindsay, kickboxer
  • Anthony Njokuani, kickboxer and mixed martial artist
  • Muhammed Lawal, mixed martial artist
  • Kamaru Usman, UFC fighter
  • Tolulope "Jordan" Omogbehin (Omos), professional wrestler and former college basketball player

Other[]

  • Tanitoluwa Adewumi, chess player
  • Foluke Akinradewo, volleyball player
  • Jesse Iwuji, NASCAR driver
  • Ogonna Nnamani, volleyball player

Music[]

Davido
Tosin Abasi
  • Abiodun Koya, classical opera singer
  • Tosin Abasi, lead guitarist of Animals as Leaders
  • Tunde Adebimpe, musician, actor
  • Chamillionaire, rapper
  • Chika, rapper
  • 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
    Tony Okungbowa, DJ
  • Kevin Olusola, musician, beatboxer
  • Big Sean, rapper
  • Sonny Digital, music producer
  • Tyler, The Creator, rapper
  • Michael Uzowuru, music producer
  • Lil Wayne, rapper
  • 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

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
  • 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

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
  • 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[]

Other[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Bukola". Imprisoned Show. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  2. ^ Sierra, Jorge. "Kenny Adeleke: "I don't think anybody plays harder than me"". Hoops Hype. USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Samkon Gado" (PDF). Tennessee Titans. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
  4. ^ 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 14 March 2013.
  5. ^ Kiefer, David (September 18, 2014). "Stanford's Chioma Ubogagu chases one more shot on soccer journey".
  6. ^ "WWE Performance Center welcomes new class of recruits". WWE. April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
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