As the giant of Africa, Nigeria has produced a lot of celebrities who have also made contributions in different sectors including music, sports, literature and many more. Among the many celebrities in Nigeria, Naijassador has handpicked five notable ones who have made so many contributions to the country’s history. Let’s find out who these great men and women are below:
1. Fela Kuti
The legendary Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti popularly known as Fela was a famous Nigerian singer, composer, activist and the pioneer of Afrobeat. Fela was known for using his music to speak against the ills of society and the government. He often criticized the Nigerian government for its corruption and oppression of the poor.
The musician was also famous for hits like Zombie and Expensive Shit. Despite facing numerous arrests and harassment from the authorities, Fela remained undeterred, continuing to speak truth to power until he died in 1997. His legacy lives on, with Afrobeat influencing countless artists around the world.
2. Chinua Achebe
Popularly known as the Father of African Literature, Chinua Achebe was a famous writer and novelist. His debut novel, Things Fall Apart which was published in 1958, is one of the most widely read books in modern African literature. The novel has been translated into over 50 languages, selling more than 20 million copies worldwide.
His other notable works include No Longer at Ease, Arrow of God, and A Man of the People. Achebe was also an essayist and poet, and his contributions to literature earned him numerous awards, including the Man Booker International Prize in 2007. He passed away in 2013, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire writers and scholars globally.
3. Wole Soyinka
Wole Soyinka is a renowned Nigerian playwright, poet, and essayist. He was also the first African to have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. Soyinka’s works are known for their deep exploration of themes such as oppression, and the complexity of human existence. Some of his plays, including Death and the King’s Horseman, The Lion and the Jewel, and A Dance of the Forests, have been performed worldwide and are considered classics of modern African drama.
4. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was one of Nigeria’s most prominent activists and a pioneer in the fight for women’s rights. She was the first woman in Nigeria to drive a car and one of the first female political leaders in the country. Ransome-Kuti was a strong advocate for women’s education, voting rights, and social justice. She founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU) in the 1940s, which became one of the most powerful women’s organizations in Nigeria. Under her leadership, the AWU campaigned against unfair taxes and colonial policies that affected women and the poor.
Her activism played a significant role in the eventual abolition of the flat-rate tax that was imposed on women in Abeokuta. Ransome-Kuti was also a key figure in Nigeria’s anti-colonial movement, and her efforts earned her the title “Lioness of Lisabi.” She was Fela Kuti’s mother, and her activism legacy greatly influenced his work. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti passed away in 1978, but her contributions to women’s rights and social justice continue to be celebrated in Nigeria and beyond.
5. Kanu Nwankwo
Kanu Nwankwo, popular as Papilo, is one of Nigeria’s greatest footballers. His football career took off when he led the Nigerian U-17 team to victory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1993. He went on to play for top European clubs, including Ajax, Inter Milan, and Arsenal, where he won numerous titles, including the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League.
Kanu is also known for his exceptional skills and versatility on the field, earning him the African Footballer of the Year award twice, in 1996 and 1999. However, his most significant achievement off the pitch was his recovery from a life-threatening heart condition, which led him to establish the Kanu Heart Foundation. The foundation has helped thousands of children with heart conditions receive life-saving surgeries.
Conclusion
These five celebrities have excelled in their respective fields and contributed to the global recognition of Nigerian talent and culture. Their legacies continue to inspire and shape the future of Nigeria, making them truly notable figures of all time.
