11 notable Nigerians on Forbes 2021 Africa Icons’ list

Eleven notable Nigerians have been featured in Forbes 2021 Africa Icons’ list.

The list showcased 100 innovations, inventions & icons from Africa, including notable Nigerians from diverse career fields.

According to Forbes, the list was curated from Hollywood exports and Grammy artists to award-winning ideas that can save the world.

It also stated that the list is a way of “celebrating those whose ideas, inventions, and influential role models have aided Africa’s growth over the last decade.”

Forbes on its official Twitter handle @Forbesafrica, alongside the list wrote: “This is a way of celebrating those also with the award-winning ideas that had defined the African continent and influential role models that have spelt Africa’s growth over the last decade.”

Africans from other countries who were featured in the list were South African comedian Trevor Noah, former U.S. president Barack Obama, Oscar award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’O among others.

In no particular order, here are the notable Nigerians who have been recognised by Forbes Africa for their hard work and excellence;

1. Burna Boy born Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu known as one of the biggest and most successful African artists on this continent, Burna Boy won the Best Global Music Album category at the Grammys on March 14.

The Grammy nomination described “Twice As Tall” as “a masterclass in the vibe and hustle that have made Burna Boy an international musical force”.

2. Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, one of Nigeria’s brightest and biggest stars, Wizkid, is described by Vogue as “an image-maker who speaks to millennials”. The multi-award-winning Afrobeats artist won a Grammy alongside Beyonce for their song” Brown Skin Girl.”

3. Davido born David Adedeji Adeleke is described as one of the most biggest and influential artists in Africa.

4. Omotola Ekeinde also known as omosexy is one of the biggest actors to come out of Africa, multi-award-winning Omotola J Ekeinde has appeared in over 200 movies, according to Entrepreneurs.

In 2013, she was featured on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, and Kate Middleton.

5. Genevieve Nnaji has been honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by the Nigerian government for her contributions to Nollywood.

Her directorial debut movie, “Lionheart,” is the first Netflix Original from Nigeria, and first Nigerian submission for the Oscars.

6. Funke Akindele-Bello, CNN calls her “one of Hollywood’s biggest stars”. The actress rose to fame after starring in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom “I Need to Know”.

7. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “The Half of a Yellow Sun” author has been described by The Times Literary Supplement as “the most prominent” of a “procession of critically acclaimed young Anglophone authors [which] is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature”, particularly in her second home, the United States.

8. Mr Eazi, Nigerian-born singer Oluwatosin Ajibade has made a name for himself as an award-winning African artist. In 2020, he made the coveted FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list.

9. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian-American economist and international development expert who has served since March as Director-General of WTO and the first woman and the first African to hold the office.

10. Olugbenga Agboola co-founder and CEO of Flutterwave. He contributed to the development of Fintech solutions at several tech companies and financial institutions such as PayPal among others.

11. Swanky Jerry also known to the world as Jeremiah Ogbodo, Swanky Jerry is a Nigerian celebrity fashion stylist who has dressed the likes of Davido, Nyanda, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, AKA, Sarkodie, and African presidents and first ladies.

In 2020, he made the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list.

The Nation had earlier reported that Ekeinde took to her official Twitter account @Realomosexy to express gratitude to Forbes Africa.

She wrote: “Thanks @Forbesafrica for the inclusion in the 100th issue of Africa’s icon personalities.

Also, reacting to the feat is Funke Akindele-Bello on her Instagram page.

She wrote: “Been filming and writing back to back and then @swankyjerry sent this to me like, “Sis you never see?” Thanks swanky. I’m so honored. Thanks @forbesafrica #hardwokpays #keepmoving #dontgiveup.”