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In-depth profiles of the entertainers, entrepreneurs, creatives and personalities making headlines — who they are and how they got here.
Entertainment Africanfuturism, a Hugo and a Nebula: Nnedi Okorafor, the Nigerian-American writer behind Binti
Nnedi Okorafor, born in the United States to Nigerian parents, writes science fiction and fantasy rooted in African cultures. Her novella Binti won both the Hugo and Nebula awards. She coined the term Africanfuturism to describe her work.
Entertainment Wale, the Washington rapper born Olubowale Akintimehin, who kept his Nigerian name and his go-go roots
Wale, born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin in Washington, DC, to Nigerian parents, became one of the leading rappers of his generation. Signed to Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group, he earned Grammy nominations for songs such as "Lotus Flower Bomb" and often references his Nigerian heritage.
Entertainment “Classic Man” in a three-piece suit: Jidenna, the singer shaped by a Nigerian father and a childhood in Enugu
Jidenna, the American singer and rapper with a Nigerian father, rose to fame with "Classic Man" in 2015, known for his tailored suits and style. He spent part of his childhood in Enugu, Nigeria, and has drawn on that heritage in his music.
Celebrity Buzz 12.12 seconds in Eugene: Tobi Amusan became Nigeria’s first world champion in athletics and broke the world record
At the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Tobi Amusan broke the 100 metres hurdles world record with 12.12 seconds in the semi-final, then won the final to become Nigeria's first world champion in athletics.
Celebrity Buzz From Ghana to Apple, Uber and Netflix: Bozoma Saint John, the marketing executive with Ghanaian roots
Bozoma Saint John, born in the United States to Ghanaian parents and raised partly in Ghana, became one of the most visible marketing executives in America, with senior roles at Pepsi, Apple Music, Uber, Endeavor and Netflix. She has written about grief, identity and ambition.
Movies & TV Five women, Accra, and a YouTube series called An African City: Nicole Amarteifio’s answer to Sex and the City
Nicole Amarteifio created An African City, a web series launched on YouTube in 2014 about five women who return to Accra after years abroad. Often compared to Sex and the City, it sparked debates about returnees, class and modern African womanhood.
Entertainment Nelson’s ship in a bottle, sailing on Dutch wax print: Yinka Shonibare and the art of the African print
Yinka Shonibare, the British-Nigerian artist, uses Dutch wax print fabric to question ideas of identity, colonialism and authenticity. His Nelson's Ship in a Bottle, with sails of African print, stood on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square from 2010.
Celebrity Buzz “The Beast”: Adebayo Akinfenwa, the strongest player in FIFA, who took Wycombe to the Championship
Adebayo Akinfenwa, a London-born striker of Nigerian heritage, became famous as the strongest player in the FIFA video game series. He played for many lower-league clubs and helped Wycombe Wanderers win promotion to the Championship in 2020, before retiring in 2022.
Celebrity Buzz Months after winning the Champions League, Nwankwo Kanu was told he had a heart defect. Then he won Olympic gold
Nwankwo Kanu won the Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and captained Nigeria to Olympic gold in 1996, then learned he had a serious heart defect. After surgery, he returned to play for Inter Milan and Arsenal and set up the Kanu Heart Foundation to help African children with heart conditions.
Celebrity Buzz “So good they named him twice”: Jay-Jay Okocha, the Nigerian magician of Frankfurt, PSG and Bolton
Augustine "Jay-Jay" Okocha, one of the most skilful footballers Africa has produced, dazzled fans in Germany, Turkey, France and England. He won Olympic gold with Nigeria in 1996 and became a cult hero at Bolton Wanderers, where fans said he was so good they named him twice.