October 26, (THEWILL) – It is not news that Nigerians are some of the most creative and talented people in the world. It is also not news that you can find Nigerians practically everywhere in the world. As a result of these things, it is almost certain that some Nigerians would have made their way to fame all over the world. Today we’ll be counting down 13 international celebrities who you may not know are also Nigerian.
1. Keiynan Lonsdale
Actor and singer, Keiynan Lonsdale, is a prolific young actor who a lot of people don’t know is Nigerian. Lonsdale was born in Sydney, to a Nigerian father of Edo descent and an Australian mother of Irish and Danish descent.
2. Cynthia Erivo
Hollywood actress, Cynthia Erivo, who has starred in projects such as The Outsider, Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale and Harriet is also a woman who you may not know is Nigerian. Cynthia was born to Nigerian parents in Stockwell, South London.
3. Joseph Adenuga
British rapper, songwriter and record producer, Joseph Olaitan Adenuga, professionally known as Skepta, most popular for hit singles “Shutdown” and “That’s Not Me” is a Nigerian man born to Nigerian parents in Tottenham, North London. On 4 April 2018, he was installed as a chief in his Nigerian hometown in Ogun State, receiving the chieftaincy title of the Amuludun of Odo-Aje.
4. Wunmi Mosaku
Star of the HBO series, Lovecraft Country, and a slew of other productions, Wunmi Mosaku is also a woman who many may not know is also Nigerian. Wunmi was born in Nigeria to Nigerian parents, but she later moved to Manchester, England when she was one year old.
5. Sean Micheal Anderson
Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, professionally known as Big Sean, shocked fans when in an interview with Vibe Magazine, the rapper said: “I remember one time, My Aunty took Me and My Brother to see Santa Claus and Santa Claus was black, and I was like that’s not Santa Claus, then my grandma said why is that not Santa Claus and I was like because he is black, He was like Super black, you know what I mean like a Nigerian, I am Nigerian, part Nigerian”.
6. Yvonne Orji
Actress, author, and comedienne, Yvonne Orji, is the next woman on today’s list. Yvonne best known for her appearance on the TV show, Insecure, is a proudly Nigerian woman. She was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before relocating to Maryland, USA where she grew up.
7. Dwayne Micheal Cater
Rapper, Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., known professionally as Lil Wayne, during an episode of Drink Champ on Revolt TV, opened up about his Nigerian ancestry. Lil Wayne said: “Shout out to Nigeria, I did my 23 and my ancestry dot com and my shit came back like 53% Nigerian. Yea! Me and my mum need to have a talk (Laughter). I have never been to Nigeria. That is the place I would love to go. I want to go to Nigeria…I want to go see that place.”
8. Jackie Aina
Jackie Aina, is a popular YouTuber and beauty guru. She was born to an African-American mother and a Nigerian father of Yoruba descent.
9. Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike
British singer and songwriter, Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike, professionally known as MNEK, most popular for songs “Never Forget You” and “Head and Heart”, is the next man on our list. MNEK, was born to Nigerian parents in London.
10. Kerry Washington
Hollywood actress, Kerry Washington, became a Nigerian citizen in 2013 when she married her husband, Nnamdi Asomugha. Since then, Kerry has remained a Nigerian citizen by marriage.
11. John Boyega
John Adedayo B. Adegboyega, popularly known in Hollywood and around the world as John Boyega, is an English actor popular for his roles in the Star Wars sequel trilogy films, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker, and recently, his appearance in ‘The Woman King’. John Boyega was born in Peckham, London to Nigerian parents: Abigail Aboderin and Samson Adegboyega.
12. Thyra Oji
British rapper, singer and songwriter, Thyra Kigho Deshaun Oji, better known by her stage name Ms Banks, and popular for hit singles “Back It Up” and “Snack”, was born to a Nigerian father and a Ugandan mother.
13. Meghan Markle
Former actress, Rachel Meghan Markle, revealed during a podcast that she was partly Nigerian. Meghan Markle said: “I just had my genealogy done a couple of years ago, I’m 43% Nigerian. I’m going to start to dig deeper into all of this because anyone that I’ve told, especially Nigerian women, are just like, what?”
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