Best Nigerian Personalities Worldwide (2026): Compare & Vote
Discover Nigerian personalities and people of Nigerian heritage whose work reaches audiences around the world. This cross-generation poll spans music, literature, public service, sport and business. Vote for your favourite for free.
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72,393 votes · updating…
| Vote position | Image | Choice | Votes | Your choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Davido Nigerian singer and songwriter known for Afrobeats releases and performances. Source | 9,410 | |
| 2 |  | Tems Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer known internationally as Tems. Source | 8,702 | |
| 3 |  | Burna Boy Nigerian recording artist known internationally for Afrofusion music. Source | 8,142 | |
| 4 |  | Wole Soyinka Nigerian playwright, poet and winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature. Source | 7,639 | |
| 5 |  | Fela Kuti Late Nigerian musician and Afrobeat pioneer whose work has influenced artists worldwide. Source | 7,491 | |
| 6 |  | Giannis Antetokounmpo Greek basketball player of Nigerian parentage, known internationally for his NBA career. Source | 6,851 | |
| 7 |  | Aliko Dangote Nigerian businessman and founder of Dangote Industries. Source | 5,283 | |
| 7 |  | Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Nigerian economist and Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Source | 5,283 | |
| 9 |  | Amina J. Mohammed Nigerian public leader serving as United Nations Deputy Secretary-General. Source | 4,317 | |
| 10 |  | Wizkid Nigerian singer and songwriter known internationally for Afrobeats. Source | 3,925 | |
| 11 |  | Akinwumi Adesina Nigerian agricultural economist who led the African Development Bank from 2015 to 2025. Source | 3,156 | |
| 12 |  | Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Nigerian novelist and essayist whose books reach readers worldwide. Source | 2,194 |
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Photo credits
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: World Trade Organization · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and converted for thumbnail display; no endorsement implied.
- Wole Soyinka: Geraldo Magela/Agência Senado · CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted for thumbnail display; no endorsement implied.
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: librairie mollat · CC BY 3.0. Resized and converted for thumbnail display; no endorsement implied.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: Erik Drost · CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted for thumbnail display; no endorsement implied.
- Amina J. Mohammed: U.S. Department of State · Public domain. Resized and converted for thumbnail display; no endorsement implied.
- Akinwumi Adesina: Eric Roset · CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted for thumbnail display; no endorsement implied.
- Aliko Dangote: World Economic Forum / Matthew Jordaan · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and converted for thumbnail display; no endorsement implied.
- Fela Kuti: Distributed by Celluloid Records · Public domain in the United States (promotional photograph; see source). Resized and converted for thumbnail display; no endorsement implied.
Compare the choices at a glance
Listed for comparison; this table does not assign a second ranking. Check current details with the linked source.
| Choice | Published offering / context | Location / coverage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burna Boy | Nigerian recording artist known internationally for Afrofusion music. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Wizkid | Nigerian singer and songwriter known internationally for Afrobeats. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Davido | Nigerian singer and songwriter known for Afrobeats releases and performances. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala | Nigerian economist and Director-General of the World Trade Organization. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Wole Soyinka | Nigerian playwright, poet and winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Nigerian novelist and essayist whose books reach readers worldwide. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Greek basketball player of Nigerian parentage, known internationally for his NBA career. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Amina J. Mohammed | Nigerian public leader serving as United Nations Deputy Secretary-General. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Tems | Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer known internationally as Tems. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Akinwumi Adesina | Nigerian agricultural economist who led the African Development Bank from 2015 to 2025. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Aliko Dangote | Nigerian businessman and founder of Dangote Industries. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
| Fela Kuti | Late Nigerian musician and Afrobeat pioneer whose work has influenced artists worldwide. | Nigeria | Profile / source |
Explore the choices
Many kinds of worldwide influence
Music, writing, sport, business and public service reach audiences in different ways. Explore each person’s field and profile, then choose the contribution that matters most to you.
Nigeria and the diaspora
The list includes Nigerian figures and people with Nigerian heritage who have international careers or other national affiliations. These connections are described in the individual profiles; the poll does not assume that everyone represents Nigeria in sport or holds the same nationality.
Current and historical personalities
Historical figures are included alongside people active today. The order reflects votes on this website, not a measured global fame score, wealth ranking or endorsement of every view associated with a listed person.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best Nigerian personality worldwide?
Based on votes on The Best Nigeria, Davido is currently the top choice.
Are people of Nigerian heritage included?
Yes. This category includes Nigerian personalities and diaspora figures of Nigerian heritage, with their individual background described in the listing.
Is this an official global fame ranking?
No. It is a vote ranking on The Best Nigeria, across different fields and generations.
Related guides
DJs · Nigerian athletes · Nigerian footballers · Nigerian musicians