In 2019, there are now a good number of Black people doing exceptionally well in American and European showbiz. These Blacks have performed remarkable feats in their respective crafts and are now recognised all over the world. The best part of it all is that some of them happen to be of Nigerian descent. While you may be aware that some of the stars listed in this article are Nigerians, it may never have occurred to you that the others are also Nigerians.
Find below a list of world-famous celebrities who happen to be Nigerians below a list
Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, popularly known as Wale, is a popular rapper who is known in the United States as well as Nigeria. Wale was born to parents from the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria, who migrated from Austria to the United States in 1979. In 2008, he debuted with the album “Attention Deficit”, which garnered him recognition in the American music industry and he has since released various hit songs with some Nigerian acts like Phyno, Wizkid, Davido, and Olamide. Wale has visited Nigeria a couple of times and never fails to identify with his roots
John Boyega
John Boyega has become increasingly popular in Nigeria, not just for his role as “Finn” in the Star Wars movies but also for his identification with his Nigerian heritage. Born in London to Nigerian parents, John debuted in the 2011 movie “Attack the Block” before his appearance in the film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s book “Half of a Yellow Sun”. His subsequent role as Finn in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” brought him wide acclaim around the world and also in Nigeria. John is also quite conversant with the Nigerian culture which was apparent when he visited Nigeria in 2018, reunited with his loved one and learned how to cook the legendary Nigerian Jollof.
Zain Asher
Zain Asher is a journalist and news anchor at CNN international. She is a Nigerian-British born in Balmam, Sussex, England, to Nigerian parents of Igbo extractions. Interestingly, she is also the younger sister to Chiwetel Ejiofor, another internationally acclaimed actor who is from Nigeria. She got her big break when she joined CNN in 2013 as a business correspondent in New York City. Currently, she anchors ‘CNN Newsroom’ for the channel at its headquarters in Atlanta. Zain is a true “daughter of the soil” as she speaks Igbo fluently.
David Oyewolo
David Oyewolo is known for his interesting roles in Hollywood movies like The Butler, Queen of Katwe, Rise of the Planet Of The Apes, and Middle of Nowhere. He was born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, to a Yoruba father and Edo mother but spent some years in Nigeria before returning to London with his parents. David Oyewolo is another foreign celebrity yet again who has strong ties with his fatherland. While giving a speech at a film festival, David credited his confidence as an actor to his Nigerian heritage. David is also very fond of his Nigerian father, Stephen Oyewolo, who he describes as the stereotypical “Nigerian dad”.
Watch these interviews of David speaking in an enthusiastic manner about his father:
Carmen Ejogo
Carmen Ejogo is a biracial actress born to a Scottish mother and a Nigerian father. She was born on 22 October 1973 in Kensington, London, England. Popular for her role in movies like “Away We Go”, “What the Worst That Could Happen?”, “Love’s Labour’s Lost”, and “Sparkle”, Carmen has won several awards.
Uzo Aduba
Known for her striking role as Suzzane “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the Netflix show Orange Is the New Black”, Uzoamaka Nwanneka “Uzo” Aduba is a Nigerian-American, who was born to Nigerian parents, of Igbo origin. Her parents migrated from Nigeria to Boston, where she schooled and studied Classical Voice at Boston University. Uzo first got her big break when she starred in the play “Translations of Xhosa” which earned her a “Helen Hayes Award” nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play. She went on to perform in movies such as “Coram Boy” and “My Little Pony”. Apart from her patent inclination to the arts, Uzo is also a lover of sports, a trait which runs in her family. Uzo is another Nigerian in the diaspora who is in fact in no stranger to her fatherland. Watch her speak Igbo and state her favourite Nigerian dish in this exciting interview:
Source: Pulse.ng
The nation
Featured Image Source: The Independent
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