List of Nigerian Americans facts for kids

This article lists many amazing Nigerian Americans. These are people who were born in Nigeria and became American citizens, or people born in America whose families came from Nigeria. They have achieved great things in many different areas!

Smart Minds: Science and Learning

Science and Engineering Whizzes

Kunle Olukotun, a computer scientist at Stanford University.

Many Nigerian Americans are brilliant scientists and engineers. They work on everything from computers to space travel!

• Kunle Olukotun is a computer engineer and professor at Stanford University. He's known for his work with parallel computing, which helps computers do many things at once.
• Wendy Okolo is an aerospace research engineer at NASA Ames Research Center. She helps design and test things that fly in space!
• John Dabiri is a professor of aerospace engineering at the California Institute of Technology. He even won a special award called the MacArthur Fellowship for his amazing work.
• Omowunmi Sadik is a chemist who invents new ways to detect chemicals, which can be used in medicine and environmental protection.
• Bennet Omalu is a neuropathologist who discovered a brain disease called CTE in American football players. His work helped make sports safer.

Medical Heroes

Nigerian Americans also make big contributions in medicine, helping people stay healthy and discover new treatments.

• Latunde Odeku was the first Nigerian neurosurgeon trained in the United States. He helped start neurosurgery in Africa.
• Olufunmilayo Olopade is a doctor who specializes in cancer. She directs a clinic at the University of Chicago Medical Center that helps people understand their cancer risk.
• Bankole Johnson is a psychiatrist who helped discover a medication used to treat epilepsy and prevent migraines.
• Charles Rotimi is a geneticist who studies how genes affect health, especially in different populations.

Deep Thinkers: Humanities and Social Sciences

Chinua Achebe, a famous writer.

This group includes people who study human culture, history, and how societies work.

• Chinua Achebe was a very famous novelist and professor. His book, Things Fall Apart, is read all over the world.
• Nwando Achebe is a historian and professor, and she is Chinua Achebe's daughter. She studies African history and women's roles.
• Toyin Falola is a well-known historian and professor of African Studies. He has written many books about African history.
• Jacob Olupona is a professor at Harvard University who studies African and African American cultures.
• Wendy Osefo is a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Education and a well-known television personality.

Math Wizards

Nigerian Americans also excel in the world of numbers and complex equations.

• Nkechi Agwu is a mathematician who studies the history of mathematics and how different cultures use math.
• Abba Gumel is a mathematician who uses math to understand how diseases spread, which is very important for public health.
• Kate Okikiolu is a mathematical analyst who works on advanced math problems.

Leaders in Education

Some Nigerian Americans lead universities and colleges, helping to shape the future of education.

• Victor Ukpolo was the chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans.
• Benjamin Akande has been president of two different colleges, Champlain College and Westminster College (Missouri).
• Toyin Tofade is the president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Making a Difference: Activism

These individuals work hard to bring about positive change in society.

• Opal Tometi is a social activist and one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, a movement for racial justice.
• Omoyele Sowore is a human rights activist who speaks out for fairness and justice.
• Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu is an advocate for people with autism and HIV, working to support their rights and well-being.

Smart Money: Business Leaders

Temie Giwa-Tubosun, founder of LifeBank.

Tope Awotona, founder and CEO of Calendly.

Nigerian Americans are also successful entrepreneurs and business leaders, creating jobs and innovative companies.

• Tope Awotona is a billionaire and the founder and CEO of Calendly, a popular scheduling software.
• Temie Giwa-Tubosun founded LifeBank, a company that helps deliver blood and medical supplies in Nigeria.
• Pearlena Igbokwe is a top executive, serving as the chairman of Universal Studios Group, a big part of NBCUniversal.
• Adebayo Ogunlesi is a very important investment banker and leads a company called Global Infrastructure Partners.
• Angelica Nwandu is the founder of The Shade Room, a popular entertainment news platform.

Serving the Public: Government and Politics

These individuals work in government to represent people and make important decisions.

• Wally Adeyemo is the United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, a very important role in the U.S. government.
• Esther Agbaje is a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, helping to make laws for her state.
• Yemi Mobolade is the current mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado, leading the city's government.
• Oye Owolewa is a "shadow representative" for Washington, D.C., working to give the district a voice in Congress.

Telling Stories: Journalism

Nigerian Americans are also journalists, bringing news and important stories to the public.

• Sade Baderinwa is a well-known TV news anchor.
• Lola Ogunnaike is an entertainment journalist who covers movies, music, and celebrities.
• Toluse Olorunnipa is the White House Bureau Chief for The Washington Post, reporting on the U.S. President.
• Karen Attiah is an editor for The Washington Post, helping to shape important news stories.

Amazing Athletes: Sports Stars

Nigerian Americans have made a big impact in many sports, from basketball to football.

Basketball Greats

Hakeem Olajuwon, a famous basketball player.

Arike Ogunbowale, a WNBA star.

Many talented basketball players have Nigerian roots.

• Hakeem Olajuwon is a legendary basketball player, famous for his skills in the NBA.
• Arike Ogunbowale is a star player in the WNBA, known for her scoring ability.
• Victor Oladipo is a well-known NBA player.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most famous basketball players in the world, known for his incredible talent.
• Jahlil Okafor is another talented NBA player.

American Football Heroes

Many strong athletes with Nigerian heritage play American football.

• Nnamdi Asomugha was a top player in the NFL.
• Christian Okoye was a powerful running back, known as "The Nigerian Nightmare."
• Russell Okung was a successful offensive lineman in the NFL.
• David Njoku is a tight end in the NFL.

Soccer Stars

Nigerian Americans also shine on the soccer field.

• Oguchi Onyewu was a strong defender for the U.S. national soccer team.
• Folarin Balogun is a rising star in soccer.
• Maurice Edu played for the U.S. national team and in professional leagues.

Martial Arts Masters

These athletes are skilled in combat sports.

• Kamaru Usman is a famous UFC fighter and former champion.
• Sesugh Uhaa (known as Apollo Crews) and Tolulope "Jordan" Omogbehin (known as Omos) are professional wrestlers.

Rhythm and Rhyme: Music

Davido, a popular musician.

Tosin Abasi, a talented guitarist.

Nigerian Americans have made their mark in the music industry, creating many different styles of music.

• Davido is a very popular musician known for his Afrobeats music.
• Tyler, The Creator is a Grammy-winning rapper and producer.
• Wale is a well-known rapper.
• Tosin Abasi is an incredibly talented guitarist for the band Animals as Leaders.
• Kevin Olusola is a cellist and beatboxer, famous for being part of the group Pentatonix.
• Jidenna is a singer and rapper known for his unique style.

Lights, Camera, Action: Film and TV

These talented individuals entertain us on the big and small screens.

• Uzo Aduba is an Emmy-winning actress, famous for her role in the TV show Orange Is the New Black.
• David Oyelowo is a respected actor, known for playing Martin Luther King Jr. in the movie Selma.
• Yvonne Orji is an actress and comedian, known for the TV show Insecure.
• Ayo Edebiri is an actress and writer, known for her roles in TV shows like The Bear.
• Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is an actor who has appeared in many films and TV shows.

Storytellers: Literature

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a celebrated author.

Nnedi Okorafor, a science fiction writer.

Nigerian Americans are also gifted writers, telling stories that captivate readers.

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a world-famous writer, known for her novels and essays. She won a special award called the MacArthur Fellowship.
• Nnedi Okorafor is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy writer. She has won the Nebula Award and Hugo Award.
• Teju Cole is a writer and artist, known for his unique storytelling.
• Tomi Adeyemi is a bestselling novelist, famous for her fantasy series.

Creative Minds: Visual Arts

These artists express themselves through painting, sculpture, and other visual forms.

• Kehinde Wiley is a very famous portrait painter, known for his vibrant and detailed paintings of Black individuals.
• Toyin Ojih Odutola is a graphic artist whose work has been shown in major museums.
• Victor Ekpuk is an artist known for his drawings and paintings that often include symbols and patterns.

Other Notable People

• Luvvie Ajayi is a popular comedian and blogger.
• Kimberly Anyadike is a pilot who, at a young age, became the youngest African American to fly across the United States.
• Mayowa Nicholas is a successful international model.

|