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List of Yoruba people
This is a list of notable Yoruba people.
Film and cinema
Nollywood
Actors and actresses
- Adebayo Salami (b. 1953), Nigerian actor, filmmaker, movie producer and director
- Aderounmu Adejumoke
- Adunni Ade
- Afeez Oyetoro
- Aisha Lawal
- Akin Ogungbe
- Antar Laniyan
- Aremu Afolayan
- Ayo Adesanya
- Ayo Makun
- Babatunde Omidina
- Bimbo Ademoye
- Bolaji Amusan
- Bukky Ajayi
- Bukky Wright
- Dele Odule
- Desmond Elliot
- Dorcas Shola Fapson
- Eniola Ajao
- Eniola Badmus
- Faithia Balogun
- Femi Adebayo
- Funke Akindele
- Funsho Adeolu
- Gabriel Afolayan
- Gbenro Ajibade, Nigerian actor, producer, model and presenter
- Gloria Bamiloye, dramatist, film actress, producer and director, co-founder of Mount Zion Drama Ministry
- Hakeem Kae-Kazim
- Iyabo Ojo (b. 1977), film actress, director and producer
- Jide Kosoko (b. 1954)
- Joke Silva (b. 1961), actress, director and businesswoman
- Kareem Adepoju
- Kunle Remi
- Lateef Adedimeji (b. 1986), actor, film-maker, producer and director
- Mike Bamiloye (b. 1960), actor, dramatist, producer and director
- Mosun Filani, film and voice actress
- Moji Afolayan (b. 1968), actress, film-maker, producer and director
- Moji Olaiya (1975-2017), Nigerian actress
- Muyiwa Ademola
- Mr Macaroni
- Nike Peller
- Odunlade Adekola
- Oga Bello (b. 1953)
- Olaniyi Afonja
- Olu Jacobs
- Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
- Ramsey Nouah
- Saheed Balogun
- Sola Sobowale
- Shaffy Bello
- Taiwo Hassan
- Toyin Abraham
- Toyin Afolayan (b. 1959), popularly known as Lola Idije, actress
- Toyin Raji (b. 1972), beauty pageant titleholder
- Wole Ojo
- Yewande Adekoya (b. 1984), actress, film-maker, director and producer
- Yinka Quadri (b. 1959), actor, film-maker, producer and director
Writers and directors
- Biyi Bandele (1967–2022), novelist, playwright and filmmaker
- Kemi Adesoye, screenwriter
- Kemi Adetiba (b. 1980), filmmaker, television director, music video director
- Kunle Afolayan (b. 1974), actor, film producer and director
- Meji Alabi
- Oyin Adejobi (1926–2000), dramatist and actor
- Tomi Adeyemi (b. 1993), Nigerian-American novelist and creative writing coach
- Tunde Kelani (b. 1948), filmmaker, storyteller, photographer, director and producer
Non-Nollywood
Academics
- Akinwumi Ogundiran (b. 1966), archaeologist, historian, anthropologist, author of The Yoruba: A New History
- Bolaji Akinyemi (b. 1942), Nigerian professor of political science who was Nigeria External Affairs Minister in 1985-1987
- Bolanle Awe (b. 1933), Nigerian history professor
- Christopher Kolade (b. 1932), Nigerian diplomat and academic
- Hezekiah Ademola Oluwafemi (1919-1983), Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University from 1966 to 1975
- Isaac Folorunso Adewole (b. 1954), Nigerian professor of gynaecology and obstetrics
- Kofoworola Ademola (1913-2002), educationist, first black African woman to earn a degree from Oxford University
- Lola Akande (b. 1965), academic, author, public relations professional.
- Olanrewaju Fagbohun (b. 1966), academic, author, investor, professor of environmental law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria
- Orishatukeh Faduma
- Oyeronke Oyewumi, sociologist, gender scholar
- Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe (1949-2021), Nigerian professor of systems engineering, Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos
- Solomon Babalola
- Stephen Adebanji Akintoye (b. 1935), academic, historian and writer
- Toyin Falola (b. 1953), historian and professor of African studies
- Folahanmi Aina (b. 1984), Nigerian political scientist, international security analyst and researcher
Medicine
- Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (1956–2014), physician
- Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh (1933–1997), physician, educational administrator, professor of chemical pathology
- Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi (1910–1971), first woman to practise as a physician in Nigeria
- Latunde Odeku (1927–1974), neurosurgeon
- Olikoye Ransome-Kuti (1927–2003), paediatrician, activist and health minister of Nigeria
- Oni Akerele (d. 1983), Nigeria's first indigenous surgeon
- Orisadipe Obasa (1863–1940), doctor and prince
- Adeola Fayehun (b. 1984), journalist
- Abraham Adesanya (1922–2008), Nigerian politician, lawyer, activist, welfarist and liberal progressive
- Dele Giwa (1947–1986), journalist, editor and founder of Newswatch magazine
- Dele Momodu (b. 1960), journalist/publisher, businessman and motivational speaker
- Dotun Adebayo (b. 1960), British radio presenter, writer and publisher
- Femi Adesina, journalist
- Femi Oke (b. 1966), British television presenter and journalist
- Henry Dele Alake
- Kayode Soyinka
- Kehinde Bankole (b. 1985), actress, model and television host
- Kitoye Ajasa (1866–1937), Nigerian lawyer and legislator during the colonial period, first Nigerian to be knighted
- Laolu Akande
- Laura Ikeji
- Mosunmola Abudu (b. 1964), Nigerian media mogul and philanthropist
- Oluremi Oyo (1952-2014), Nigerian veteran journalist
- Omoyele Sowore (b. 1971), Nigerian human rights activist, founder of an online news agency Sahara Reporters
- Reuben Abati (b. 1965), journalist, politician, television anchor and newspaper columnist
- Seun Osewa (b. 1982), Nigerian internet entrepreneur
- Tolu Ogunlesi (b. 1982), Nigerian journalist, poet, photographer, fiction writer and blogger
Visual arts
Artists
- Laolu Senbanjo (b. 1982), Nigerian visual artist, musician, singer/songwriter and former human rights attorney
- Aina Onabolu (1882–1963), pioneering Nigerian modern arts teacher and painter
- Ibiyinka Alao (b. 1975), Nigerian American artist, architect, writer, film director and musical theater composer
- Kehinde Wiley
- Nike Davies-Okundaye (b. 1951), Nigerian batik and adire textile designer
- Olowe of Ise (c. 1873 – c. 1938), wood sculptor
- Yusuf Grillo (1934-2021), Nigerian painter
Photography
Politics and administration
Politics
- Abayomi Kinyomi (1992–1993), Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Third Republic
- Adebayo Salami (1951–2021), Senator, chieftain of All Progressives Congress
- Adekunle Fajuyi (1926–1966), first military governor of Western Region, Nigeria
- Adeyemo Alakija (1884–1952), lawyer, politician, businessman, president of Egbe Omo Oduduwa
- Akinwunmi Ambode (b. 1963), Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria from 2015 to 2019
- Ayodele Fayose (b. 1960), Governor of Ekiti State
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu (b. 1965), Governor of Lagos State from 2019
- Babalola Borisade (1946–2017), Federal Minister of Nigeria
- Babatunde Fashola (b. 1963), lawyer and politician, former Governor of Lagos State
- Benjamin Adekunle (1936–2014), Nigerian Army Brigadier
- Bola Ige (1930–2001), lawyer and politician
- Bola Tinubu (b. 1952), President of Nigeria and national leader of All Progressives Congress
- Bukola Saraki (b. 1962), 13th President of the Senate of Nigeria
- Christopher Omoworare Babajide (b. 1968), Nigerian politician
- Desmond Elliot (b. 1974), Nigerian actor, director and politician
- Dolapo Osinbajo
- Dipo Dina (1960–2010), politician, philanthropist, administrator
- Ernest Shonekan (1936-2022), Nigerian lawyer and statesman
- Femi Fani-Kayode (b. 1960), Nigerian politician, essayist, poet and lawyer
- Femi Gbaja Biamila (b. 1962), Nigerian lawyer
- Femi Hamzat (b. 1964), Nigerian politician
- Folorunsho Coker (b 1965) Nigerian politician
- Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (b. 1952), Nigerian senator and retired custom officer
- Frederick Fasehun (1935–2018), Nigerian medical doctor, hotel owner and politician
- Funsho Williams (1948–2006), politician from Lagos State
- Gbenga Daniel (b. 1956), Nigerian politician, Governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011
- Gboyega Oyetola (b. 1954), 9th Governor of Osun State
- Herbert Macaulay (1864–1946), Nigerian nationalist, politician, surveyor, engineer, architect, journalist and musician
- Ibikunle Amosun (b. 1958), Nigerian politician, Governor of Ogun State from 2011 to 2019
- Joseph Fadahunsi
- Kayode Fayemi (b. 1935), Nigerian politician, Governor of Ekiti State
- Kofo Abayomi (1896–1979), Nigerian ophthalmologist and politician
- Lawan Gwadabe (b. 1949), Military Administrator of Niger State from 1987 to 1992
- Lola Young
- M.K.O. Abiola
- Mudashiru Obasa
- Nicolas Grunitzky
- Oladipo Diya
- Obafemi Awolowo
- Olu Falae
- Oluremi Tinubu
- Olusegun Aganga
- Olusegun Mimiko
- Olusegun Obasanjo
- Olusegun Oni
- Yemi Osinbajo
- Oyinkansola Abayomi
- Rauf Aregbesola
- Rotimi Akeredolu
- Samuel Akintola
- Seyi Makinde
- Thomas Boni Yayi
- Alhaji Abdul Azeez Kolawole Adeyemo
- Tunde Idiagbon
- Bode Thomas
- Rotimi Akeredolu
- Olusegun Mimiko
- Victor Adebowale (b. 1962), People's peer, current chair of the NHS Confederation
- Yemi Osinbajo (b. 1957), Nigerian lawyer and politician, Vice-President of Nigeria since 2015
- Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, officer of the Nigerian Army, Governor of Western Region
Administration
African diaspora
Brazil
Canada
Cuba
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
United States
Aristocrats
Monarchs
- Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni Ojikutujoye I (b. 1958), Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo
- Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II (1950–2013), traditional ruler of the Akure Kingdom
- Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III (b. 1943), Alake of Egbaland
- Adeniji Adele (1893–1964), Oba of Lagos
- Adesoji Aderemi (1889–1980), Ooni of Ife
- Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (b. 1974), Ooni of Ile-Ife
- Adeyinka Oyekan (1911–2003), second Christian Oba of Lagos
- Ajaka, Oyo Emperor
- Ajimudaoro Aladesanmi I (r. 1886–1910), Ewi of Ado Ekiti
- Daniel Aladesanmi II (1902–1983), Ewi of Ado Ekiti
- Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III (1941–2019)
- Fredrick Kumokun Adedeji Haastrup (1820–1901), Oba Obokun of Ilesa, first Christian Oba of Yorubaland
- Ladapo Ademola (1872–1962), Alake of Abeokuta
- Lamidi Adeyemi (b. 1938–2022), Alaafin of Oyo
- Moremi Ajasoro (12th century), legendary queen and folk heroine of the Yoruba people
- Oba, Orisha of the river Oba
- Oduduwa, divine king, according to tradition, first Ooni of Ife (r. c. 1100 AD), ancestor of many dynasties
- Olagbegi Atanneye I (r. 1913–1938), paramaunt ruler of Owo Kingdom
- Olagbegi Atanneye II
- Olateru Olagbegi I (r. 1913–1938)
- Olateru Olagbegi II (1910–1998)
- Olubuse II (1930–2015), traditional ruler of Ife
- Oranyan, legendary founder of Oyo
- Orompoto (16th century), female Alaafin of Oyo
- Oshun
- Osupa
- Oya
- Oyekan I
- Rilwan Akiolu
- Rufus Aladesanmi III
- Samuel Akinsanya
- Shango
- Sikiru Kayode Adetona (b. 1934), Awujale of the Ijebu Kingdom
Chiefs and princes
* Abibatu Mogaji (1916–2013), business magnate
- Abiola Dosunmu
- Adeniran Ogunsanya
- Afe Babalola
- Bisoye Tejuoso
- Christopher Sapara Williams
- Efunroye Tinubu
- Efunsetan Aniwura (c. 1820s - 1874), second Iyalode of Ibadan, slavetrader
- G.B.A. Coker, (1917-1991), Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
- Gaha (fl. 18 century), leader of the military in the Oyo Empire
- Gani Adams (b. 1970), activist, politician and the 15th Aare Ono Kakanfo of Yorubaland
- Henry Fajemirokun, (1926-1978), trade unionist, industrialist and philanthropist
- H.O. Davies (1905-1989), lawyer, journalist, trade unionist, thought leader and politician
- John Otunba Payne (1839–1906), Nigerian sheriff, administrator and diarist
- MKO Abiola
- Moses Majekodunmi
- Oluyole
- Oguntola Sapara
- Richard Akinjide
- Roseline Osipitan
- Sara Forbes Bonetta
- Sunday Igboho
- Tejumade Alakija
- T.O.S. Benson
- Yemi Elebuibon
- Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon
Sports
- Abdulwaheed Afolabi
- Adebayo Adeleye (b. 2000), goalkeeper
- Adebayo Akinfenwa
- Ademola Lookman
- Arnaut Danjuma
- Asisat Oshoala
- Ayila Yussuf
- Babajide Collins Babatunde
- Best Ogedegbe
- Brian Fok
- Bukayo Saka
- David Alaba
- Dele Adeleye
- Dele Aiyenugba
- Dele Ajiboye
- Dele Alli
- Dominic Solanke
- Emmanuel Adebayor
- Eniola Aluko
- Femi Ajilore
- Fikayo Tomori
- Folarin Balogun
- Funso Ojo
- Ibraheem Jabaar
- Jamal Musiala
- Jamil Muhammad
- Jodel Dossou
- John Fashanu
- Junior Ajayi (b. 1996), Nigerian professional footballer
- Junior Olaitan (b. 2002), Beninese professional footballer
- Karim Adeyemi (b. 2002), German professional footballer
- Kevin Schade (b. 2001), German professional footballer
- Leon Balogun (b. 1988), defender for the Nigeria national football team
- Manuel Akanji (b. 1995), Swiss professional footballer
- Mathieu Adeniyi (b. 1987), Beninese football player
- Michael Obafemi (b. 2000), Irish professional footballer
- Mohammed Nur (b. 2002), Nigerian international footballer who plays as a striker
- Mudashiru Lawal (1954-1991), Nigerian footballer who played as a midfielder
- Nathan Delfouneso
- Nathan Tella (b. 1999), English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder
- Olufolasade Adamolekun
- Omar Sowunmi
- Obafemi Martins (b. 1984), Nigerian professional footballer
- Patrick Owomoyela (b. 1979), German former professional footballer
- Peter Odemwingie (b. 1981), retired Nigerian professional footballer who played as a forward and a winger
- Rabiu Afolabi
- Rasheedat Ajibade
- Rasheed Yekini (1963-2012), Nigerian professional footballer who played as a striker
- Razak Omotoyossi (b. 1985), Beninese professional footballer
- Sammy Ameobi
- Saturnin Allagbé (b. 1993), player for the Benin national football team
- Sheyi Ojo
- Segun Odegbami (b. 1952), Nigerian former professional footballer who played as forward
- Simon Sohm
- Sone Aluko
- Shola Ameobi (b. 1981), Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a striker
- Steve Mounie
- Taiwo Awoniyi
- Taye Taiwo (b. 1985), Nigerian professional footballer
- Thomas Sowunmi
- Tobi Jnohope, footballer
- Tobi Sho-Silva (b. 1995), English professional footballer
- Tosin Adarabioyo (b. 1997), English professional footballer
- Tosin Aiyegun
- Yakubu Aiyegbeni (b. 1982), Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a striker
Basketball
Combat sports
Volleyball
Ice hockey
Track and field athletes
- Kriss Akabusi (b. 1958), track and field athlete, Olympic, Commonwealth Games, and European Championships medal winner, 400m hurdle record holder
Squash and Table tennis
- Segun Toriola (b. 1974), Nigerian professional table tennis player
Music
African
Pre-2000s
Post-2000s
- 9ice (b. 1980), Nigerian musician, songwriter and dancer
- Adekunle Gold (b. 1987), Nigerian highlife singer, songwriter and graphic designer
- Aramide (b. 1985), Nigerian afro-soul singer and songwriter
- Aṣa
- Asake
- Ayọ
- Ayo Jay
- Ayra Starr
- Barry Jhay
- Bella Shmurda
- Brymo
- CDQ
- Chinko Ekun
- D'banj
- Davido
- DJ Cuppy
- Dotman
- Eedris Abdulkareem
- eLDee
- Falz
- Femi Kuti
- Femi Leye
- Fireboy DML
- Jaywon
- JME
- Joeboy
- KSI (Born in Watford, London, United Kingdom, has Yoruba ethnicity)
- Kizz Daniel
- Korede Bello
- Ladipoe
- L.A.X
- Laycon (b. 1993), Nigerian media personality, rapper, singer and songwriter
- Lil Kesh (b. 1994), Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter
- Little Simz
- Lojay
- Lyta
- Maleek Berry (b. 1987), British-Nigerian record producer and recording artist
- Mayorkun (b. 1994), Nigerian singer, songwriter and pianist
- MohBad
- Mr Eazi
- Mz Kiss
- Naira Marley
- Niniola
- Odunsi the Engine
- Olamide
- Olu Maintain
- Oxlade (singer)
- Qdot
- Queen Fumi
- Reekado Banks
- Rema
- Reminisce
- Ruger
- Seun Kuti
- Seyi Shay
- Skepta
- Shola Allyson
- Simi
- Small Doctor
- Sound Sultan
- Taio Cruz
- Tems
- Teni
- Tiwa Savage
- Tope Alabi
- Wale
- Wande Coal
- Wizkid
- Yemi Alade
- Yinka Ayefele
- Ycee (b. 1993), Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter
- Zeynab
- Zlatan (b. 1994), Nigerian singer, songwriter, musician and dancer
Directors and DJs
- Clarence Peters
- DJ Cuppy
- DJ Caise, Nigerian disc jockey
- DJ Jimmy Jatt (b. 1966), Nigerian disc jockey
- DJ Neptune (b. 1990), Nigerian disc jockey and record producer
- DJ Spinall (b. 1984), Nigeriand disc jockey, record producer, songwriter, label executive and media personality
- DJ Xclusive (b. 1980), Nigerian disc jockey, recorder producer and recording artist
- DJ Tunez
- D'Tunes
- Kiddominant (b. 1992), Nigerian recording producer, songwriter and artist
- Pheelz (b. 1994), Nigerian record producer and songwriter
Diaspora
Modelling and fashion
Science and technology
- Ayodele Awojobi (1937-1984), Nigerian academic, author, inventor, social crusader and activist
- Babatunde Ogunnaike (b. 1956), American chemical engineer
- Ilesanmi Adesida (b. 1949), Nigerian American physicist
- John Dabiri, Nigerian-American aeronautics engineer
- Kunle Olukotun, computer scientist
- Kofo Akinkugbe
- Olusegun Adewoye (1947-2015), researcher in ceramics science and engineering, physical metallurgy and corrosion engineering
- Oye Gureje (b, 1952), Nigerian psychiatrist
- Soni Oyekan
- T. M. Aluko (1918-2010), Nigerian writer and engineer
- Winston Wole Soboyejo (b. 1964), American materials scientist
Theatre
- Akpororo, Nigerian stand-up comedian, vocalist and actor
- Abiodun Duro-Ladipo (b. 1941), Nigerian actress and singer
- Gbenga Adeboye (1959-2003), Nigerian singer, comedian, radio presenter and master of ceremony
- Koffi Idowu Nuel (b. 1977), Nigerian entertainer, comedian, musician and actor
- Taaooma (b. 1999), Nigerian comedian, content creator, cinematographer and social media influencer
Shank Comics, Nigerian comedian
Online influencers
Military
Business people
Religion
Christianity
Anglican
Catholic
Pentecostal
Other
Islam
Yoruba Religion
Law, activism and advocacy
Writers
Yorùbá language
- Adebayo Faleti (1921-2017), Nigerian poet, journalist, writer, Nollywood film director, actor, Africa's first stage play director
- Afolabi Olabimtan (1932-2003), Nigerian politician, writer and academic
- Akinwunmi Isola (1939-2018), Nigerian playwright, novelist, actor, dramatist, culture activist and scholar
- Bakare Gbadamosi (b. 1930), Yoruba poet, anthropologist and short story writer from Nigeria
- Daniel O. Fagunwa (1903-1963), Nigerian Yoruba author who pioneered the Yoruba language novel
- Duro Ladipo (1926-1978), Yoruba dramatist
- Isaac Delano
- Folahan Odunjo
- Obo Aba Hisanjani
- Olatubosun Oladapo
- Tade Ipadeola
- Wale Ogunyemi
English language
References
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