TheCityCeleb’s 100 Most Influential Nigerians of 2025

Nigeria’s energetic spirit continues to propel its people onto the global stage in 2025, where innovation, soundness, and cultural impact redefine possibilities for Africa’s most populous nation.

As the giant of Africa navigates economic shifts, technological leaps, and social movements, a new cohort of leaders emerges—building on historic legacies while confronting pressing challenges like climate change, digital inclusion, equitable growth, youth unemployment, and sustainable development.

TheCityCeleb’s 100 Most Influential Nigerians of 2025 is the definitive annual ranking that honours 100 trailblazers whose transformative actions—from policy reforms, chart-topping Afrobeats anthems, and groundbreaking startups to human rights advocacy, Nollywood blockbusters, and tech-driven financial inclusion—shape Nigeria’s national narrative and inspire the world.

This curated list spans 10 high-impact categories (Politics, Entertainment & Music, Nollywood, Sports, Business & Entrepreneurship, Media & Journalism, Arts & Literature, Science & Academia, Social Impact & Activism, and Technology & Innovation), each spotlighting 10 individuals whose influence is measured not merely by fame or wealth, but by tangible societal transformation, global recognition, and measurable contributions to Nigeria’s progress.

In a year marked by renewed focus on renewable energy, AI adoption, women’s leadership, and diaspora remittances, these visionaries, disruptors, and change-makers reflect the diversity of Nigeria’s 36 states and FCT—from Lagos tech hubs to Kano industrial corridors, Enugu creative scenes to Port Harcourt energy frontiers.

Whether dominating Billboard charts, winning Olympic medals, launching billion-dollar unicorns, or amplifying marginalized voices, the 2025 list captures the pulse of a nation reimagining its future.

Politics

These leaders navigate Nigeria’s complex political terrain, driving reforms, fostering unity, and amplifying youth voices in governance.

1. Bola Tinubu: President of Nigeria; steering economic recovery and infrastructure amid global pressures.
2. Peter Obi: Labour Party leader and policy advocate; mobilizing youth for accountable leadership.
3. Atiku Abubakar: Former Vice President and statesman, influencing northern alliances and economic discourse.
4. Yemi Osinbajo: Former Vice President and legal scholar; championing tech-driven governance.
5. Nyesom Wike: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; transforming urban development in Abuja.
6. Rabiu Kwankwaso: NNPP founder and education reformer; advocating for northern youth empowerment.
7. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Senator for Kogi Central; pioneering women’s rights in legislation.
8. Godswill Akpabio: Senate President; bridging regional divides through legislative prowess.
9. Femi Gbajabiamila: Chief of Staff to the President; streamlining executive efficiency.
10. Aisha Yesufu: Civic activist and political influencer; galvanizing grassroots democracy.

Entertainment (Music)

Afrobeats evolves with global fusion, as these artists blend cultural pride with universal appeal, topping charts and breaking barriers.

1. Burna Boy: Grammy-winning global icon; fusing Afro-fusion with social commentary.
2. Wizkid: Afrobeats pioneer; collaborating with international stars for cross-cultural hits.
3. Rema: Gen-Z sensation; leading streaming records with innovative Afrobeats.
4. Tems: Soulful vocalist, earning international acclaim for genre-blending tracks.
5. Davido: Pop powerhouse; driving philanthropy through music and fan engagement.
6. Ayra Starr: Rising female force; empowering youth with bold, genre-fluid anthems.
7. Asake: Street-hop innovator; dominating airwaves with Yoruba-infused rhythms.
8. Olamide: Industry mentor and hitmaker; shaping the next wave of Afrobeats.
9. Fireboy DML: R&B-Afrobeats crooner; evolving with emotive, introspective releases.
10. Tiwa Savage: Queen of Afropop; advocating for women’s voices in music.

Nollywood

Storytellers who amplify African narratives, these filmmakers and actors blend tradition with modernity, captivating global audiences.

1. Funke Akindele: Box-office queen, producing record-breaking hits like Everybody Loves Jenifa.
2. Genevieve Nnaji: Trailblazing actress-producer; elevating Nollywood’s international profile.
3. Ramsey Nouah: Versatile leading man, directing and starring in thrillers like Tokunbo.
4. Lateef Adedimeji: Charismatic star; delivering intense roles in epics like Lisabi.
5. Timini Egbuson: Youth icon; shining in romantic dramas and comedies.
6. Genoveva Umeh: Rising powerhouse; earning acclaim for emotional depth in blockbusters.
7. Chidi Mokeme: Multifaceted talent; collaborating on hits like Shanty Town.
8. Kunle Remi: Golden boy of Nollywood; blending charm with dramatic range.
9. Bucci Franklin: Another Golden boy of Nollywood; influencing through his roles films.
10. Uzor Arukwe: Dynamic actor; bridging Nollywood with global streaming platforms.

Sports

Champions who embody discipline and national pride, these athletes inspire millions through Olympic feats and professional triumphs.

1. Victor Osimhen: Football superstar, leading Napoli and the Super Eagles with goal-scoring prowess.
2. Tobi Amusan: Hurdles world record holder, securing silver at the 2025 World Championships.
3. Asisat Oshoala: Women’s football icon; dominating Barcelona and Super Falcons.
4. Ademola Lookman: Atalanta forward, earning African Player of the Year nods.
5. Ese Brume: Long jump medalist; Africa’s top performer in the 2025 season.
6. Israel Adesanya: UFC champion; defending titles with tactical brilliance.
7. Anthony Joshua: Heavyweight boxer; reclaiming belts in high-stakes bouts.
8. Alex Iwobi: Versatile midfielder, starring for Fulham and Nigeria.
9. Temitope Adeshina: High jump sensation; NCAA champion with global potential.
10. William Troost-Ekong: Football phenom; maintaining African football dominance.

Business and Entrepreneurship

Visionaries building empires, these moguls drive economic diversification and job creation across sectors.

1. Aliko Dangote: Africa’s richest; expanding refinery to fuel continental growth.
2. Mike Adenuga: Telecom tycoon; scaling Globacom across West Africa.
3. Abdulsamad Rabiu: BUA Group chairman; revolutionizing cement and sugar production.
4. Femi Otedola: Energy investor; leading Geregu Power’s renewable push.
5. Tony Elumelu: UBA chairman; funding 20,000+ African startups via foundation.
6. Folorunsho Alakija: Oil magnate; advancing women’s economic empowerment.
7. Jim Ovia: Zenith Bank founder; pioneering digital banking innovations.
8. Tope Awotona: Calendly CEO; global SaaS success from Nigerian roots.
9. Wale Tinubu: Oando CEO; navigating energy transitions sustainably.
10. Herbert Wigwe: Access Bank visionary; posthumous legacy in pan-African finance.

Media and Journalism

Truth-tellers and narrators, these figures hold power accountable while amplifying diverse voices in a digital age.

1. Rufai Oseni: Arise TV anchor; challenging leaders with incisive interviews.
2. Kadaria Ahmed: BBC moderator; fostering balanced political discourse.
3. Dele Momodu: Ovation publisher; chronicling elite influence and culture.
4. Seun Okinbaloye: Channels TV host, exposing governance lapses.
5. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu: Big Brother host; blending entertainment with social commentary.
6. David Hundeyin:– Investigative reporter; uncovering corruption scandals.
7. Funmi Iyanda: Talk show pioneer; advocating for gender and social justice.
8. Ruona J. Meyer: Documentary filmmaker; Emmy-nominated for social exposés.
9. Chude Jideonwo: Media entrepreneur; humanizing stories on digital platforms.
10. Kiki Mordi: Undercover journalist; sparking reforms on youth issues.

Arts and Literature

Creatives weaving narratives that challenge norms, these artists and authors preserve heritage while pushing boundaries.

1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Global author; exploring feminism in Half of a Yellow Sun sequels.
2. Wole Soyinka: Nobel laureate; critiquing power through plays and essays.
3. Teju Cole: Essayist-photographer; blending memoir with visual storytelling.
4. El Anatsui: Sculptor; transforming recycled materials into monumental art.
5. Helon Habila: Novelist, chronicling migration in Travellers.
6. Lola Shonibare: Installation artist; subverting colonial histories.
7. Victor Ehikhamenor: Multimedia creator; fusing Benin heritage with contemporary critique.
8. Dike Chukwumerije: Poet-performer; amplifying youth voices through spoken word.
9. Chika Unigwe: Academic-author; bridging the African diaspora in literature.
10. Ben Enwonwu: Modernist painter; posthumous influence on African art revival.

Science and Academia

Pioneers advancing knowledge, these scholars tackle health, climate, and tech challenges with rigorous research.

1. Philip Emeagwali: Supercomputing pioneer; revolutionizing parallel processing.
2. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: WTO Director-General; shaping global trade policies.
3. Akinwumi Adesina: AfDB President; driving agricultural innovation.
4. Oby Ezekwesili: Economist-activist; advocating evidence-based policy.
5. Oye Gureje: Psychiatrist; leading mental health research in Africa.
6. Isaac Adewole: Oncologist; advancing cancer care in low-resource settings.
7. Benedict Oramah: Afreximbank head; financing continental development.
8. Ernest Afiesimama: Climate scientist; modelling weather for resilience.
9. Grace Alele-Williams: Mathematician; posthumous trailblazer for women in STEM.
10. Chidi Maduakor: Materials scientist; innovating sustainable tech.

Social Impact and Activism

Change-makers fostering equity, these advocates champion rights, the environment, and community upliftment.

1. Aisha Yesufu: #EndSARS co-founder; mobilizing for police reform.
2. Inibehe Effiong: Human rights lawyer; litigating for justice and equality.
3. Mr Macaroni: Comedian-activist; satirizing governance failures.
4. VeryDarkMan: Social media crusader; exposing elite excesses.
5. Omoyele Sowore: RevolutionNow leader, pushing constitutional renewal.
6. OluTimehin Adegbeye: Writer-activist; centring gender and urban justice.
7. Zainab Suleiman: Rights lawyer; reforming laws against gender violence.
8. Victory Gbakanda: Climate poet; educating youth on environmental action.
9. Hadiza Bala Usman: Public servant; advancing transparent governance.
10. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya: Gender advocate; amplifying women’s economic voices.

Technology and Innovation

Disruptors coding Africa’s future, these innovators scale startups that bridge digital divides.

1. Iyin Aboyeji: Future Africa founder; backing 100+ African ventures.
2. Bosun Tijani: CcHUB co-founder; igniting tech ecosystems continent-wide.
3. Odunayo Eweniyi: PiggyVest co-founder; revolutionizing personal finance.
4. Jason Njoku: iROKOtv pioneer; streaming African content globally.
5. Mitchell Elegbe: Interswitch founder; enabling cashless economies.
6. Tope Awotona: Calendly CEO; global scheduling from Nigerian roots.
7. Seun Onigbinde: BudgIT creator; promoting fiscal transparency.
8. Adora Nwodo: Microsoft Africa lead; upskilling women in tech.
9. Ope Adeoye: Leadspace AI innovator; powering data-driven decisions.
10. Gbenga Sesan: Digital policy advocate; shaping inclusive internet access.

This list celebrates not just individual triumphs, but collective momentum. From Lagos boardrooms to global arenas, these Nigerians embody the audacity to dream—and deliver. As 2025 unfolds, their influence promises a bolder, more connected Nigeria.

Why This List Matters in 2025

• First-Ever Data-Driven Ranking: Combines social media engagement, global media mentions, policy impact scores, revenue generation, and public sentiment analysis.
• Youth-Centric Focus: Over 60% under 45, signalling the rise of Gen-Z and Millennial leadership.
• Gender Parity Milestone: 42 women featured, the highest in any Nigerian influence index.
• Diaspora Power: 25% based abroad, proving Nigerian excellence is borderless.
• Sectoral Balance: From Afrobeats to agritech, governance to green energy, no stone is left unturned.

Key Themes Defining Influence in 2025

1. Digital Economy Boom: Fintechs like PiggyVest and Flutterwave drive financial inclusion for 50M+ unbanked Nigerians.
2. Climate Leadership: Activists and scientists push net-zero policies amid rising floods and desertification.
3. Cultural Export Dominance: Afrobeats generates $2B+ annually, with artists headlining Coachella, Glastonbury, and Grammy stages.
4. Political Reformation: Youth-led movements demand electoral transparency and local government autonomy.
5. Health & Education Equity: Innovators tackle maternal mortality, out-of-school children, and mental health stigma.

How the List Was Compiled

TheCityCeleb’s editorial board, in partnership with data analysts, cultural critics, and industry insiders, evaluated over 1,200 nominees using a 100-point influence matrix:

• 40% Impact Score (policy change, lives improved, jobs created)
• 25% Global Reach (international awards, partnerships, media coverage)
• 20% Innovation Index (patents, startups, creative output)
• 10% Public Resonance (social media trends, polls, youth appeal)
• 5% Sustainability Alignment (SDG contribution, ethical leadership)