Below are 10 world famous celebrities you never knew were Nigerians. Most of them were born abroad while others were born in Nigerian but had to move abroad.
1. Zain Ejiofor Asher
32-year-old Zain Ejiofor Asher is a news anchor at CNN International and is the younger sister of Hollywood actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor. Asher studied French and Spanish at Oxford University and also is a graduate of Journalism. Prior to joining CNN in February 2013, Asher was a full-time reporter for Money, where she wrote personal finance articles. Asher also was a TV reporter at News 12 Brooklyn, reporting from Brooklyn, the Bronx and Connecticut.
2. Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo
Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo was born in 1973 in London and began her career as a teenager. Her father is Nigerian while her mother is Scottish. The British actress has featured in ‘What’s the Worst That Could Happen?’, ‘The Purge: Anarchy’ and ‘Selma‘. She has received several awards, including a nomination for Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.
3. Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (Wale)
Born as Olubowale Victor Akintimehin to Yoruba parents from Ogun State, Rapper Wale grew up in the USA. He is as popular in the states as he is in his home country and has done music collaborations with singers like Wizkid and Olamide. The Maybach Music superstar, Wale, last visited his motherland in December 2013
4. Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Hollywood actor, Hakeem Kae-Kazim was born in Lagos State and is a native of Ogun State. He has featured in several hit movies such as ‘Hotel Rwandan,’ ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ ‘At World’s End and many TV series including 24, and Criminal Minds. He has also featured in some Nollywood movies like ‘Last Flight To Abuja,’ ‘Black November‘ and ‘Half Of A Yellow Sun.’ Currently, Hakeem is a brand ambassador for Etisalat Nigeria.
5. Jacob Taio Cruz
British Singer, Jacob Taio Cruz was born in London. His father is a Nigerian while his mother is Brazillian. Cruz was signed on a publishing deal when he was 19 years old and has won several awards including the BRIT Awards, Billboard Music Awards, ASCAP Awards and American Music Awards.
6. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Former fashion model of Yoruba origin, and Hollywood actor, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, is best known for his roles in ‘The Mummy Returns‘, ‘Pompeii,’ ‘The Bourne Identity‘, and in TV series ‘Lost‘ and ‘Oz‘. He was born in Washington, D.C to Nigerian parents and is fluent in Yoruba, Italian and Swahili, aside English language.
7. Adetomiwa Edun
British actor Adetomiwa Edun was born in 1984 to a Nigerian father from the Yoruba tribe and a half-Ghanaian, half-English mother. Edun, who moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 11, has featured in movies like Slaves, Law & Order: UK, The Hour, Passengers. He is popularly known for his role in the TV series, Merlin, where he played ‘Sir Elyan’ and he became the second black in 2009 to play Romeo at the Globe Theatre. Tomiwa speaks English, Yoruba and French.
8. Uzoamaka Nwanneka
Uzoamaka Nwanneka “Uzo” Aduba is an American actress who is known for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the television series ‘Orange Is the New Black‘. Her parents are both Nigerians of Igbo origin.
9. Nonso Anozie
Nonso Anozie is an English actor of Nigerian descent. Apart from movies, he was cast to play in the TV series ‘Game of Thrones‘ and ‘Dracula‘.
10. John Boyega
John is a British-Nigerian who was born in London to Nigerian parents. He is best known for his 2011 film debut ‘Attack the Block‘. He also played Ugwu in ‘Half of A Yellow Sun’ and stared in 2015 film ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
1. Zain Ejiofor Asher
32-year-old Zain Ejiofor Asher is a news anchor at CNN International and is the younger sister of Hollywood actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor. Asher studied French and Spanish at Oxford University and also is a graduate of Journalism. Prior to joining CNN in February 2013, Asher was a full-time reporter for Money, where she wrote personal finance articles. Asher also was a TV reporter at News 12 Brooklyn, reporting from Brooklyn, the Bronx and Connecticut.
2. Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo
Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo was born in 1973 in London and began her career as a teenager. Her father is Nigerian while her mother is Scottish. The British actress has featured in ‘What’s the Worst That Could Happen?’, ‘The Purge: Anarchy’ and ‘Selma‘. She has received several awards, including a nomination for Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.
3. Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (Wale)
Born as Olubowale Victor Akintimehin to Yoruba parents from Ogun State, Rapper Wale grew up in the USA. He is as popular in the states as he is in his home country and has done music collaborations with singers like Wizkid and Olamide. The Maybach Music superstar, Wale, last visited his motherland in December 2013
4. Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Hollywood actor, Hakeem Kae-Kazim was born in Lagos State and is a native of Ogun State. He has featured in several hit movies such as ‘Hotel Rwandan,’ ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ ‘At World’s End and many TV series including 24, and Criminal Minds. He has also featured in some Nollywood movies like ‘Last Flight To Abuja,’ ‘Black November‘ and ‘Half Of A Yellow Sun.’ Currently, Hakeem is a brand ambassador for Etisalat Nigeria.
5. Jacob Taio Cruz
British Singer, Jacob Taio Cruz was born in London. His father is a Nigerian while his mother is Brazillian. Cruz was signed on a publishing deal when he was 19 years old and has won several awards including the BRIT Awards, Billboard Music Awards, ASCAP Awards and American Music Awards.
6. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Former fashion model of Yoruba origin, and Hollywood actor, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, is best known for his roles in ‘The Mummy Returns‘, ‘Pompeii,’ ‘The Bourne Identity‘, and in TV series ‘Lost‘ and ‘Oz‘. He was born in Washington, D.C to Nigerian parents and is fluent in Yoruba, Italian and Swahili, aside English language.7. Adetomiwa Edun
British actor Adetomiwa Edun was born in 1984 to a Nigerian father from the Yoruba tribe and a half-Ghanaian, half-English mother. Edun, who moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 11, has featured in movies like Slaves, Law & Order: UK, The Hour, Passengers. He is popularly known for his role in the TV series, Merlin, where he played ‘Sir Elyan’ and he became the second black in 2009 to play Romeo at the Globe Theatre. Tomiwa speaks English, Yoruba and French.
8. Uzoamaka Nwanneka
Uzoamaka Nwanneka “Uzo” Aduba is an American actress who is known for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the television series ‘Orange Is the New Black‘. Her parents are both Nigerians of Igbo origin.
9. Nonso Anozie
Nonso Anozie is an English actor of Nigerian descent. Apart from movies, he was cast to play in the TV series ‘Game of Thrones‘ and ‘Dracula‘.
10. John Boyega
John is a British-Nigerian who was born in London to Nigerian parents. He is best known for his 2011 film debut ‘Attack the Block‘. He also played Ugwu in ‘Half of A Yellow Sun’ and stared in 2015 film ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
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