The 10 Most Powerful Celebrities in Nigeria

Who are the most influential Celebrities in Nigeria?

Last month we put out a request for nominations for a list of the 10 most powerful celebrities in contemporary Nigeria. Within three weeks, over 3,000 entries where made. This is the result of your choices. 

The list mostly includes celebrities in the movie and music industry drawn from all across Nigeria. 

Determining the celebrities who exert the highest degree of influence in Nigeria's entertainment industry involved sifting through the nominations for the individuals with the highest numbers of votes, and then measuring their media visibility (exposure in print, television, radio and online), number of web references on Google, TV/radio mentions and their social media presence.

Here’s a serenade of Nigeria’s 10 most powerful celebrities. They are the greatest influencers in the country and their ideas, skill and actions bring us gratification and inspire conversations.

1. Wole Soyinka, 80 - Playwright

In 1986 the Nigerian Playwright and author became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Easily the most famous playwright ever to emerge from Africa, the erudite word smith has published over 20 plays including The Lion and the Jewel, A Dance of the Forests and The Strong Breed.

2. Femi Kuti, 52, - Musician

The eldest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has his father’s fiery blood flowing through his veins. Toured and performed extensively with his father while he was alive, but his biggest break came with his father’s death in 1999 when the Afrobeat mantle fell on him. Just like his father, Femi attempts to use his music to combat corruption, poverty, and other socio-economic issues prevalent in Nigeria and Africa through his lyrics. In 2001 he collaborated with American acts, Common, Mos Def and Jaguar Fight on his album, Fight to Win, which sold over 500,000 copies. The album is widely regarded as the most influential Neo-Afrobeat album of the 21st century.

3. Genevieve Nnaji, 35, - Actress

Nnaji has frequently been hailed as Africa’s own answer to the likes of Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon and the rest of the feminine Hollywood stars. She started out in her acting career over 24 years ago, at the age of 8, playing a supporting role in a Nigerian TV series. Today, she is arguably Africa’s most revered actress and the poster girl for Nollywood- Nigeria’s burgeoning movie industry. The Nollywood diva has become one of Africa’s most recognizable faces, and has featured in over 80 successful Nigerian blockbusters.

4. Chimamanda Adichie, 36, - Writer

The Nigerian-born author is arguably the most popular new-generation writer to emerge from Africa and one of the continent’s leading contemporary literary voices at the moment. Her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun was awarded the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction. Half of a Yellow Sun has been adapted into a film of the same title directed by Biyi Bandele, starring BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor and BAFTA award-winner Thandie Newton, and was released in 2014

5. Tuface Idibia, 38, - Musician

The Nigerian-born crooner is one of Africa’s most recognizable new-generation singers. He started out his career in the mid 90s with the Plantashun boys, a defunct Nigerian boy band that achieved modest recognition in local circles but disbanded in 2004. Immediately struck out independently, finding success and international renown for hits such as ‘African Queen’ which has become one of the most popular African love songs of all time. Idibia is a recipient of several local and international awards, including the MTV Award for Best African Artist in 2005.

6. P-Square, 32, - Musicians

The Nigerian R&B duo attained continental super stardom with romance-laced lyrics and Michael Jackson-styled dance moves. The identical twin brothers released their 5th studio album, “The Invasion” in July 2011 to critical acclaim. The album reportedly went platinum within eight weeks. Their 2009 album, Danger, has sold close to nine million copies worldwide. The music video for their hit song, “No one like you” has been viewed over 10 million times on YouTube- a top record for any Nigerian artist.

7. Don Jazzy, 31, - Music Producer

Arguably Africa’s Number 1 beat maker founder of the phenomenal defunct Nigerian record label, Mo’ Hits which was home to successful Nigerians artists like D’Banj and Wande Coal. The multiple award winning producer and occasional singer is also the undisputed King of Social media in Nigeria boasting over 800,000 followers on Twitter. In 2011 Jazzy launched his new Record Label, Mavin Records with the signing of  Tiwa Savage Nigeria’s leading vocalists. Don Jazzy also earned production credits for his work with Jay-Z and Kanye West on their Watch The Throne track Lift Off, featuring Beyoncé.

8. D'Banj, 34, - Musician

Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo popularly known as D'banj is one of Africa’s most recognizable new generation artistes. In 2011 his talents got him noticed by Kanye West who signed him up as a producer on his GOOD Music label. The Nigerian crooner and Harmonica player is also one of the savviest entrepreneurs in Africa’s music industry; has stamped his now famous ‘Koko’ brand name unto everything from mobile phones, an entertainment lounge, bottled water and even Garri (a Nigerian staple meal made of processed cassava).

9. Omosexy, 36, - Actress

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is an actress, singer, and philanthropist from Lagos, Nigeria. Since her Nollywood film debut in 1995, she has appeared in an astounding 300 films, selling millions of video copies. After receiving numerous high-profile awards, launching a music career, and amassing an enviable fan base, the press has revered the Screen Nation 'Best Actress' as Africa's biggest star. Today, she is not only noted for her incomparable showbiz accomplishments, but is also applauded for her remarkable humanitarian efforts. Over the years, Omotola has been a pioneer in the Nollywood film industry, successfully becoming the most watched actress in Africa.

In 2013, Omotola's passed the one million likes mark on Facebook, the world's most visited social network site. Shortly after Omotola was named one of TIME Magazine's Most Influential People in the World on the 2013 TIME 100.

10. Mikel John Obi, 27 - Footballer

After starring for Nigeria's Under-17 side at the 2003 World Youth Championship and the Under-20 side at the 2005 competition (where he won the Silver Ball for the tournament's second best player), Obi was scouted by the top brass at Manchester United, and Chelsea, which set the stage for his climb to the top of the footballing world. After a controversial transfer on 12 September 2006, Mikel made his first start for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League against Levski Sofia.

At the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Mikel was a key player for Nigeria's Super Eagles as they went on to win their fifth continental title.

Mikel made his FIFA World Cup debut during the 2014 tournament in Brazil, earning a man of the match award in the Super Eagles' opening game against Iran and helping the team to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1998.