For its hundredth issue since starting in 2011, Forbes Africa has put together an impressive list of influential Africans who have used their ideas, inventions and influence as public figures to push Africa’s growth.
Nigerians on Forbes Africa 100 Iconic List
Among these notable Africans are Nigerians flying high and making us proud and here is the list of the ten Nigerians who were recognized as Icons by Forbes Africa’s “100 Innovations, Inventions and Icons from Africa list”.
Burna Boy
It would be out of place to have this list without Burna Boy seeing that he just brought home a Grammy award. Aside from that, he is also easily one of the top music artiste from the country and continent.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Popular Nigerian feminist, Chimamanda has influenced women all over the world to own their lives with her books and speeches. Her book, Purple Hibiscus has been read in schools all over the continent and has won multiple awards for her work.
Davido
Davido has been mentioned by Forbes once as an Afrobeats superstar and is currently being described as one of Africa’s biggest musicians. The father of one is also an amazing musical talent with awards and accolades to his name.
Funke Akindele-Bello
Funke Akindele was called ‘one of Hollywood’s biggest stars’ by CNN for her early 2000s United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom , ‘I need to Know’
Genevieve Nnaji
Another trailblazer in the Nollywood scene, the award winning actress’s movie, Lionheart was the first Nigerian Netflix original.
Mr Eazi
Oluwatosin Ajibade popularly known as Mr Eazi is an award-winning Nigerian artiste and businessman who made it to the Forbes 30 under 30 in 2020. Now, he is a part of Nigerians on Forbes Africa Iconic List.
Olugbenga GB Agoola
Olugbenga is the founder and CEO of Flutterwave, a financial programming platform that simplifies payments between customers and business owners.Forbes describes Flutterwave as being useful across the globe =, not just in Africa.
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde
A valued Nollywood veteran who has stolen the hearts of many with her phenomenal contribution to the Nollywood industry. she has starred in over 200 movies and was mentioned as part of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2013.
Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the first woman and the first African to hold the office as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, also made it in the list. She was also named the ‘Africa of the Year’ by Forbes in 2020.
Swanky Jerry
Born Jeremiah Ogbodo, Swanky Jerei is a highly acclaimed Nigerian fashion stylist who dresses the like of Mercy Eke, Davido, Pearl Thusi, Nyanda, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Sarkodie AKA as well as multiple African leaders.
Wizkid
With Davido and Burna Boy being on this list, it is only expected that Wizkid will be on this list as well. The artiste also brought a grammy back with his feature on Beyonce’s ‘Brown Skin Girl. He grew from being a largely celebrated Nigerian artiste to being a global figure.
Other Nigerians on Forbes Africa under Invention and Innovation are;
Kaosi mobile by Chukwunonso Arinze
WellVis by Wale Adeosun
RESPIRE-19 by Usman Dalhatu, Aliyu Hassan and Dr. Yunusa Muhammed.
Airbank by Temie Giwa-Tubosun
