List of Nigerian Americans
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.
Academia
Science and engineering
Kunle Olukotun , computer scientist and Cadence Design Systems Professor of the Stanford School of Engineering , professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Stanford University Kunle Olukotun , computer engineer and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Stanford University and director of the Pervasive Parallelism LaboratoryIlesanmi Adesida , physicist and material scientistVictoria Chibuogu Nneji , computer scientist and roboticist Jimmy Adegoke , climatologistOmowunmi Sadik , chemistWendy 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 , biochemistWinston 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 journalFrancisca Oboh Ikuenobe , geologist and professor of geology at the Missouri University of Science and Technology Soni Oyekan , chemical engineerBolaji Aluko , professor of chemical engineering at Howard University Lola Eniola-Adefeso , professor of chemical engineering at University of Michigan Ndubuisi Ekekwe , electrical and computer engineerUnoma 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
Latunde Odeku , first Nigerian neurosurgeon trained in the United States; pioneer of neurosurgery in AfricaChidi 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 , doctorOla Akinboboye , nuclear cardiologistMojisola 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 playersBruce Ovbiagele , Professor of Neurology and Associate Dean at the University of California, San Francisco ; Editor-in-Chief of Journal of the American Heart Association ; Chief of Staff at the San Francisco VA Medical Center ; Founder of the Society for Equity Neuroscience 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 Samuel Dagogo-Jack , discoverer of the first radioimmunoassay for epidermal growth factor in human salivaElizabeth Ofili , physician and cardiology researcherChidi Chike Achebe , physician executiveJacqueline 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" theoristEkpo 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 personalityEmmanuel Chukwudi Eze , philosopherNkiru 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 writerSaheed 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 historianJoy Ogwu , political scientistLeslye Obiora , professor of law at University of Arizona Tejumola Olaniyan , Louise Durham Mead Professor of English and African Cultural Studies, and the Wole Soyinka Professor of the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Esiaba Irobi , Associate Professor of International Theatre and Film Studies at Ohio University, Athens, USABabatunde Lawal , Professor of Art History at Virginia Commonwealth University .
Mathematics
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 Toyin Tofade , president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Activism
Business
Tope Awotona , billionaire, founder and CEO of Calendly 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 NigeriaTayo Oviosu , founder and CEO of PagaNdubuisi Ekekwe , founder and CEO of First Atlantic Semiconductors & MicroelectronicsSoni Oyekan , CEO of Prafis Energy SolutionsBisi Ezerioha , automotive engineer, racecar driver, industrialist, and CEO of Bisimoto EngineeringAdebayo Alonge , founder and CEO of RxAll Inc.Nneka Egbujiobi , founder and CEO of Hello AfricaMichael 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 IngressiveNgozi Okonjo-Iweala , Director-General, World Trade OrganizationMagnus L. Kpakol , Texas-based CEO and chairman of Economic and Business Strategies; former chief economic advisor to President Olusegun Obasanjo of NigeriaChris Aire , president of Solid 21 IncorporatedAngelica Nwandu , founder of The Shade Room Tiyan Alile , celebrity chef and restaurateur
Government and politics
Wally Adeyemo , United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury (2021–present)Esther Agbaje , Democratic member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2021–present)John O. Agwunobi , former Secretary of United States Department of Health and Human Services (2006-2007)Yinka Faleti , Democratic candidate for Missouri Secretary of State in the 2020 election Carol Kazeem , Pennsylvania State RepresentativeRichard Komi , former Democratic member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives (2018-2020)Emmanuel Onunwor , former mayor of East Cleveland , Ohio (1998-2004)Vop Osili , president of the Indianapolis City-County Council (2018–present)Oye Owolewa , Democratic shadow representative for the District of Columbia in the United States House of Representatives (2021–present)Yemi Mobolade , mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado (2023-present)
Journalism
Sade Baderinwa , TV news anchorMichael Okwu , Television personalitySteve Osunsami , News correspondentLola Ogunnaike , entertainment journalistAdaora Udoji , Court TV CNN Bukola Oriola , journalist[ 1] Ijeoma Oluo , author and commentatorWendy Osefo , political commentatorAlexis Okeowo , staff writer at The New Yorker Chika Oduah , correspondent for VICE News Toluse Olorunnipa , White House Bureau Chief for The Washington Post Chike Frankie Edozien , director of New York University , Accra Karen Attiah , editor for The Washington Post
Sports
Basketball
Hakeem Olajuwon Arike Ogunbowale
Soccer
Martial arts and Professional Wrestling
Other
Music
Davido Tosin Abasi Abiodun Koya , classical operaTosin Abasi , lead guitarist of Animals as Leaders Tunde Adebimpe , musician, actorAnike (formerly known as Wande ), rapper, A&R Tunji Balogun , record label executiveChamillionaire , rappereLDee , musician, record label executiveChika , rapperChikezie , singerCozz , rapperDavido , musicianFat Tony , rapperIlacoin , musician, creator of the "Pause" gameJidenna , rapperKami de Chukwu , rapperLil' O , rapperFela Sowande , musician and composerMaxo Kream , rapperKevin Olusola , cellist and singer-songwriterToby Foyeh , guitarist, singer, composer, and producerTony Okungbowa , DJKevin Olusola , musician, beatboxerShaboozey , rapper, singer, and music producerSonny Digital , music producerTyler, The Creator , rapperMichael Uzowuru , music producerWale , rapperPatrice Wilson , music producerFred Onovwerosuoke , composerAhamefule J. Oluo , jazz trumpeterTobe Nwigwe , rapperVanJess , R&B duoDot da Genius , music producer
Film
David Oyelowo Uzo Aduba , actressSope Aluko , actressGbenga Akinnagbe , actorAdewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje , actorJulius Onah , directorChet Anekwe , actorMichael Evans Behling , actorJovan Adepo , actorDavid Oyelowo , actorMegalyn Echikunwoke , actressRick Famuyiwa , directorNkechi Okoro Carroll , movie producerOsas Ighodaro , actressAnnie Ilonzeh , actressNyambi Nyambi , actorLaide Daramola , filmmakerChido Nwokocha , actorAdepero Oduye , actressDayo Okeniyi , actorOlatunde Osunsanmi , directorChiké Okonkwo , actorFolake Olowofoyeku , actressOkieriete Onaodowan , actorYvonne Orji , actressRotimi , actorChet Anekwe , actorKelechi Eke , director, actorChuku Modu , actorSam Adegoke , actorChinonye Chukwu , directorSusan Nwokedi , filmmakerEgo Nwodim , actress, comedianGina Yashere , actress, comedianJovan Adepo , actorMyles Grier , TV actor, producer, writerJoy Sunday , actressAyo Edebiri , actress, writer
Literature
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Nnedi Okorafor Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie , MacArthur Fellow Nnedi Okorafor , recipient of Nebula and Hugo Award Chris Abani , writer and poetTomi Adeyemi , novelistAdaeze Atuegwu , writerTochi Onyebuchi , novelistJordan Ifueko , novelistTeju Cole , writer and artistAkwaeke Emezi , writerChinelo Okparanta , novelistUzodinma Iweala , novelistUche Nduka , poetBayo Ojikutu , creative writer
Visual arts
Victor Ekpuk , artistIbiyinka Alao , architectToyin Ojih Odutola , graphic artistAde A. Olufeko , technologist and international curatorKehinde Wiley , portrait painterMarcia Kure , artistIzzy Odigie , choreographerAmarachi Nwosu , documentary filmmaker and photographerMobolaji Dawodu , fashion designerOshoke Abalu , architect and futuristSuzanna Ogunjami , artistMendi & Keith Obadike , artistsAdejoke Tugbiyele , sculptorIni Archibong , designer
Other
References
^ "Bukola" . Imprisoned Show. December 8, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2013 .^ Sierra, Jorge. "Kenny Adeleke: "I don't think anybody plays harder than me" . Hoops Hype . USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. Retrieved March 14, 2013 . ^ 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 March 14, 2013 . ^ "Samkon Gado" (PDF) . Tennessee Titans. Retrieved February 15, 2013 .^ "WWE Performance Center welcomes new class of recruits" . WWE . Retrieved April 13, 2015 .
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