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List of Nigerian Americans

This is a list of notable Nigerian Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants. To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Nigerian American and must have references showing they are Nigerian American and are notable.

Academia

Science and engineering

Kunle Olukotun, computer engineer and professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Stanford University and director of the Pervasive Parallelism Laboratory
Ilesanmi Adesida, physicist and material scientist
Victoria Chibuogu Nneji, computer scientist and roboticist
Jimmy Adegoke, climatologist
Omowunmi Sadik, chemist
Wendy Okolo, aerospace research engineer at NASA Ames Research Center
Akintunde Akinwande, professor of electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Samson Jenekhe, chemical engineer and professor of chemistry at University of Washington
Oluwatoyin Asojo, biochemist
Winston Wole Soboyejo, professor of mechanical engineering at Princeton University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Deji Akinwande, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
John Dabiri, professor of aerospace engineering at the California Institute of Technology, recipient of MacArthur Fellowship
Alexander Animalu, theoretical physicist; member of the advisory board of the Physica journal
Francisca Oboh Ikuenobe, geologist and professor of geology at the Missouri University of Science and Technology
Soni Oyekan, chemical engineer
Bolaji Aluko, professor of chemical engineering at Howard University
Lola Eniola-Adefeso, professor of chemical engineering at University of Michigan
Ndubuisi Ekekwe, electrical and computer engineer
Unoma Ndili Okorafor, computer scientist, wife of Ekpe Okorafor, and daughter of nuclear physicist Frank Nwachukwu Ndili
Philip Emeagwali, computer scientist and 1989 recipient of Gordon Bell Prize
Tam David-West, academic and virologist

Medicine

Latunde Odeku, first Nigerian neurosurgeon trained in the United States; pioneer of neurosurgery in Africa
Chidi Chike Achebe, physician executive and son of Chinua Achebe
Bankole Johnson, psychiatrist; discoverer of topiramate, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) facilitator and glutamate antagonist, as an effective treatment for alcoholism.
Olufunmilayo Olopade, hematology oncologist; director of the Cancer Risk Clinic at the University of Chicago Medical Center
Ikenna Ihim, doctor
Ola Akinboboye, nuclear cardiologist
Mojisola Adeyeye, pharmacist and professor of pharmaceutics at Duquesne University
Bennet Omalu, neuropathologist and professor at the University of California, Davis; first to discover and publish findings on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American football players
Nelson M. Oyesiku, vice chairman of neurological surgery and professor of endocrinology at the Emory University School of Medicine
Charles Rotimi, geneticist and director of the National Institutes of Health
Olawale Sulaiman, neurosurgeon; professor of neurosurgery at Tulane University
Segun Toyin Dawodu, physician and professor of pain medicine
Samuel Dagogo-Jack, discoverer of the first radioimmunoassay for epidermal growth factor in human saliva
Elizabeth Ofili, physician and cardiology researcher
Chidi Chike Achebe, physician executive
Jacqueline Nwando Olayiwola, Chair Professor of the Department of Family Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Clement Adebamowo, epidemiologist
Folakemi T. Odedina, professor of pharmacy and medicine at University of Florida
Andrew Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health

Humanities and social sciences

Kola Tubosun, linguist and founder of The YorubaName Project
Jacob Olupona, professor of African Studies and African American Studies at Harvard University
Abiola Irele, literary scholar and former professor at Harvard University
Claude Ake, political scientist, former professor at Columbia University and Yale University
Chinua Achebe, award-winning novelist, professor, literary scholar, and author of Things Fall Apart
Nwando Achebe, historian, feminist scholar, and daughter of Chinua Achebe
Farooq Kperogi, journalist and professor of journalism at Kennesaw State University
Nwando Achebe, historian and feminist scholar; professor of history at Michigan State University
Toyin Falola, historian and professor of African Studies
Bamidele A. Ojo, political scientist and professor of Political science and International studies
John Ogbu, anthropologist, "acting white" theorist
Ekpo Eyo, archaeologist and professor of African arts and Archeology at University of Maryland
Akinwumi Ogundiran, archaeologist, Chancellor's Professor and Professor of Africana Studies, Anthropology & History at UNC Charlotte.
Obiwu (Obioma Paul Iwuanyanwu), writer and professor of English and creating writing at Central State University
Wendy Osefo, public affairs academic, professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Education, and television personality
Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze, philosopher
Nkiru Nzegwu, philosopher and Distinguished Professor for Research at State University of New York at Binghamton
Kalu Ndukwe Kalu, political scientist and Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science and National Security Policy at Auburn University
Stephen Adebanji Akintoye, academic, historian and writer
Saheed Aderinto, professor of history at Western Carolina University
Elechukwu Njaka, political scientist; author of Igbo Political Culture
Olu Oguibe, professor of art at the University of Connecticut and senior fellow at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC
Chika Okeke-Agulu, art historian
Joy Ogwu, political scientist
Leslye Obiora, professor of law at University of Arizona
Tejumola Olaniyan, Louise Durham Mead Professor of English and African Cultural Studies, and the Wole Soyinka Professor of the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
Esiaba Irobi, Associate Professor of International Theatre and Film Studies at Ohio University, Athens, USA
Babatunde Lawal, Professor of Art History at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Mathematics

Nkechi Agwu, ethnomathematician and historian of mathematics
Abba Gumel, computational mathematician and mathematical biologist, professor at Arizona State University
Chike Obi, pure mathematician
Kate Okikiolu, mathematical analyst
Yewande Olubummo, mathematical analyst
Grace Alele-Williams, professor of mathematics education

Academic administration

Victor Ukpolo, chancellor of the Southern University at New Orleans
Benjamin Akande, president of Champlain College and Westminster College
Babatunde Ogunnaike, dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware
Joseph Abiodun Balogun, dean of the College of Health Sciences at Chicago State University
Ilesanmi Adesida, dean and professor emeritus of engineering at the Grainger College of Engineering (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), provost at Nazarbayev University (in Kazakhstan)
Johnson O. Akinleye, chancellor of North Carolina Central University
ImeIme Umana, president of Harvard Law Review
Nwando Achebe, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Social Science at Michigan State University
Okwui Enwezor, senior vice president of San Francisco Art Institute
John Dabiri, Centennial Chair Professor at California Institute of Technology
Andrew Agwunobi, president of University of Connecticut
Toyin Tofade, president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Activism

Chief Temitope Ajayi, activist
Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu, autism and HIV advocate
Colion Noir (Collins Iyare Idehen Jr.), gun rights activist and spokesperson for the National Rifle Association
Oluwatoyin Salau, activist and murder victim
Opeoluwa Sotonwa, disability rights activist
Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist
Opal Tometi, social activist and co-founder of Black Lives Matter

Business

Tope Awotona, billionaire CEO and founder of Calendly, estimated net worth of 1,4 billion as of 2024. Forbes has described Awotana as one of the wealthiest immigrants and one of richest black tech entrepreneurs [1]
Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder of LifeBank

Kunle Olukotun, founder of Afara Websystems
Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studios Group (division of NBCUniversal)
Jessica O. Matthews, venture capitalist and co-inventor of Soccket
John O. Agwunobi, pediatrician, former fourth-star admiral of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, former senior vice-president of Walmart, CEO of Herbalife
Lazarus Angbazo, president and CEO of General Electric in Nigeria
Tayo Oviosu, founder and CEO of Paga
Ndubuisi Ekekwe, founder and CEO of First Atlantic Semiconductors & Microelectronics
Soni Oyekan, CEO of Prafis Energy Solutions
Bisi Ezerioha, automotive engineer, racecar driver, industrialist, and CEO of Bisimoto Engineering
Adebayo Alonge, founder and CEO of RxAll Inc.
Nneka Egbujiobi, founder and CEO of Hello Africa
Michael Boulos, business executive and partner of Tiffany Trump
Adebayo Ogunlesi, investment banker, Chairman and Managing Partner at Global Infrastructure Partners
Maya Horgan Famodu, venture capitalist and founder of Ingressive
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization
Magnus L. Kpakol, Texas-based CEO and chairman of Economic and Business Strategies; former chief economic advisor to President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria
Chris Aire, president of Solid 21 Incorporated
Angelica Nwandu, founder of The Shade Room
Tiyan Alile, celebrity chef and restaurateur

Government and politics

Wally Adeyemo, United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury (2021–present)
Esther Agbaje, Democratic member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2021–present)
John O. Agwunobi, former Secretary of United States Department of Health and Human Services (2006-2007)
Yinka Faleti, Democratic candidate for Missouri Secretary of State in the 2020 election
Carol Kazeem, Pennsylvania State Representative
Richard Komi, former Democratic member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives (2018-2020)
Emmanuel Onunwor, former mayor of East Cleveland, Ohio (1998-2004)
Vop Osili, president of the Indianapolis City-County Council (2018–present)
Oye Owolewa, Democratic shadow representative for the District of Columbia in the United States House of Representatives (2021–present)
Yemi Mobolade, mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado (2023-present)

Journalism

Sade Baderinwa, TV news anchor
Lola Ogunnaike, entertainment journalist
Adaora Udoji, Court TV host; CNN correspondent
Bukola Oriola, journalist
Ijeoma Oluo, author and commentator
Wendy Osefo, political commentator
Alexis Okeowo, staff writer at The New Yorker
Chika Oduah, correspondent for VICE News
Toluse Olorunnipa, White House Bureau Chief for The Washington Post
Chike Frankie Edozien, director of New York University, Accra
Karen Attiah, editor for The Washington Post

Sports

Basketball

Ochai Agbaji
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Suleiman Braimoh
Chamberlain Oguchi
Arike Ogunbowale
Chiney Ogwumike
Nneka Ogwumike
Semi Ojeleye
Emeka Okafor
Jahlil Okafor
Isaac Okoro
Stan Okoye
Victor Oladipo
Abi Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon
Josh Akognon
Al-Farouq Aminu
Alade Aminu
Aloysius Anagonye
Isaac Okoro
Udoka Azubuike
Jordan Nwora
Kelenna Azubuike
Ekpe Udoh
Ime Udoka
Mfon Udoka
Bam Adebayo
Kenny Adeleke
Ekene Ibekwe
Gani Lawal
Andre Iguodala
Ike Diogu
Obinna Ekezie
Shane Lawal
Ebi Ere
Festus Ezeli
Ike Nwankwo
Derrick Obasohan
Nick Okorie
Ayo Dosunmu

American football

Victor Abiamiri
Emmanuel Acho
Sam Acho
Victor Aiyewa
Jay Ajayi
Josh Aladenoye
Obed Ariri
Nnamdi Asomugha
Jeremiah Attaochu
Chidobe Awuzie
Akin Ayodele
Remi Ayodele
Prince Amukamara
Chris Banjo
Samuel Eguavoen
Isaiah Ekejiuba
IK Enemkpali
Tayo Fabuluje
Samkon Gado
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
James Ihedigbo
Israel Idonije
Buchie Ibeh
Bobby Iwuchukwu
Brian Iwuh
Chidi Iwuoma
Ade Jimoh
N. D. Kalu
Benson Mayowa
Ovie Mughelli
Chinedum Ndukwe
Ike Ndukwe
David Njoku
Ty Nsekhe
Uzoma Nwachukwu
Uche Nwaneri
David Ojabo
Chukky Okobi
Amobi Okoye
Christian Okoye
Chike Okeafor
Alex Okafor
Iheanyi Uwaezuoke
Chris Ogbonnaya
Cedric Ogbuehi
Vince Oghobaase
Eric Ogbogu
Azeez Ojulari
Brian Orakpo
Kelechi Osemele
Babatunde Oshinowo
Kenechi Udeze
Cyril Obiozor
Tony Ugoh
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke
Cheta Ozougwu
Adewale Ogunleye
Russell Okung
Christian Sam

Soccer

Abuchi Obinwa
Oguchi Onyewu
Owen Otasowie
Bo Oshoniyi
Ade Coker
Maurice Edu
Jean Harbor
Folarin Balogun
Amaechi Igwe
Chioma Igwe
Ugo Ihemelu
Chioma Ubogagu * Daryl Dike * Bright Dike

Martial arts and Professional Wrestling

Sesugh Uhaa (Apollo Crews), professional wrestler
Chike Lindsay, kickboxer
Anthony Njokuani, kickboxer and mixed martial artist
Muhammed Lawal, mixed martial artist
Kamaru Usman, UFC fighter
Tolulope "Jordan" Omogbehin (Omos), professional wrestler and former college basketball player
Quinn O. Ojinnaka, professional wrestler and former American football player