List of Igbo people

The list of Igbo people includes notable individuals who have full or significant ancestry traced back to the Igbo people of South-East and South-South geopolitical regions of Nigeria.^[1]

This page also contains names of people who traced their African heritage through DNA testing to the Igbo ethnic group.

[1]

Name	Born	Death	Notability
Maria Louisa Bustill	8 November 1853	20 January 1904	Quaker schoolteacher; the mother of Paul Robeson; and the wife of the Reverend William Drew Robeson^[68]
Michael Echeruo	14 March 1937	–
Tessy Okoli	–	–
E. Nolue Emenanjo	1943	–
Uche Nduka	14 October 1963	–
Eni Njoku	6 November 1917	22 December 1974	The first Nigerian Vice Chancellor
Onuora Nzekwu	19 February 1928	21 April 2017
P. N. Okeke-Ojiudu	1914	1995
Kenneth Dike	17 December 1917	26 October 1983	The pioneer Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos and University of Nigeria Nsukka
John Ogbu	9 May 1939	20 August 2003
Ogwo E. Ogwo	7 June 1949	–
Emeka Enejere	8 August 1944		The 14th Pro Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Zephrinus Chidubem Njoku	15 May 1959
Emmanuel Chinwokwu	-		Professor of New Testament Studies at University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Patrick Obi Ngoddy			Nigerian professor of Food Engineering and Processing at the Faculty of Agriculture
Sonny Chidebelu			Professor of Agribusiness
Sophia Obiajulu Ogwude			Professor of English and Comparative studies
Florence Orabueze	30 March 1966	–	Professor of English and literary studies
Edith Nwosu	22 March 1962	–	Professor of Corporate Law
Basil Ezeanolue	17 November 1953	–	Professor of Otorhinolaryngology
Emenike Ejiogu			Professor of electrical and electronics engineering from University of Nigeria Nsukka
Ogbonna Oparaku			Professor of electronic engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Name	Born	Death	Notability	Reference
Adiele Afigbo	22 November 1937	9 March 2009	Historian known for the history and historiography of Africa, more particularly Igbo history
Kenneth Dike	17 December 1917	26 October 1983
Paul Robeson, Jr.	2 November 1927	26 April 2014		^[28]

Pearlena Igbokwe			President of Universal Television, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal Television Group, first woman of African descent to head a major U.S. television studio	^[69]^[70]^[71]
Nduka Obaigbena			Media mogul, founder of Nigerian-based African newspaper THISDAY, African -focused style & culture magazine Arise and Lagos-based Nigerian 24-hour international news channel Arise News
Jim Ovia			Nigerian businessman; founder of Zenith Bank
Jerome Udoji
Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu	1909	1966	Business mogul and father of Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, the former governor of the Eastern Region and leader of Biafra
P. N. Okeke-Ojiudu	1914	1995
Omu Okwei	1872	1943	Merchant queen of the River Niger	^[72]
C. T. Onyekwelu	1898
Mathias Ugochukwu	1926	1990
Evelyn Okere	4 November 1973		Nigerian businesswoman, publisher, fashion designer and the Managing Director/CEO of St. Eve Concepts.
Godwin Maduka			Nigerian doctor, businessman, philanthropist and the founder of Las Vegas Pain Institute and Medical Center
Emeka Offor			Businessman and Philanthropist. The founder and chairman and The Sir Emeka Of for Foundation of Chrome Group
Kennedy Okonkwo			Businessman and philanthropist
Charles Nwodo Jr.			Businessman and philanthropist
Aku Odinkemelu			Nigerian lawyer and corporate entrepreneur
Nwamaka Okoye			Nigerian businesswoman and serial entrepreneur, founder of Housessories Ltd, Gearshift Africa, former president of Stanford Seed Transformation Program Nigeria	^[73]^[74]

Name	Born	Death
Adaora Udoji	1967	–
Chinweizu	1943
Christina Anyanwu	1951	–
Chude Jideonwo
Chima Simone	28 July 1976
Joseph Egemonye	1933	2011

Name	Born	Death	Notability
Gogo Chu Nzeribe
Okey Ndibe	1960	–	Novelist, poet, political activist from Yola, Nigeria. He is the author of Arrows of Rain, a critically well-reviewed novel published in 2000.
Uzor Ngoladi	1977	-	Nwriter, journalist, and activist.
Chidi Odinkalu	1968	-	Writer, Lawyer, activist, Professor, International Human Rights Law

Name	Born	Death	Notability	Reference
Nnamdi Azikiwe	1904	1966	1st president of Nigeria
Kasim Reed			57th Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, US (2010–2018)
Azuka Okwuosa	3 November 1959		Former Anambra State Commissioner for Works and Transport
Benjamin Kalu			Member of House of Representatives, representing Bende federal constituency
Enyinnaya Abaribe
Chuka Umunna	17 October 1978	–
Catherine Obianuju Acholonu
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi	3 March 1924	29 July 1966	First military and second substantial Head of State of Nigeria
Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu
John Abraham Godson	25 November 1970		First Black Member of the Polish Parliament in Polish history. Nigerian Senatorial Candidate.
Frank Ajobena
Dora Akunyili	14 July 1954	7 June 2014	Former Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria and current (since 17 December 2008) Nigerian Minister of Information and Communications.
Rotimi Amaechi	27 May 1965	–	former Governor of Rivers State and current minister of transportation
Bonaventure Enemali	21 June 1984	–	Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy in Anambra State
Chris Okewulonu	24 December 1960	–	Current Chief of Staff to Imo State Government
Collins Nweke	14 July 1965	–	Municipal Legislator Ostend City Council Belgium and former Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Europe
Emeka Anyaoku	18 January 1933	–	Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations
Nnamdi Azikiwe	16 November 1904	11 May 1996	Nigeria's foremost President and the Owelle of Onitsha
Chukwuemeka Chikelu
Uche Chukwumerije
Edward Wilmot Blyden	3 August 1832	7 February 1912	Americo-Liberian educator, writer, diplomat, and politician in Liberia and Sierra Leone.	^[77]
Kema Chikwe			Academic and politician; former federal minister of transport and later minister of aviation; and former Nigeria's ambassador to Ireland
Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme	1932	–	Renowned architect, lawyer, and politician. Formerly, vice-president of the 2nd federal republic of Nigeria (1979 - 1983)
Martin Elechi			Former Governor of Ebonyi State
Dave Umahi			Current Governor of Ebonyi State
Evan Enwerem	29 October 1935	2 August 2007
Virginia Etiaba			Educator; politician; former deputy governor (and briefly governor) of Anambra State.
Herbert Eze
Akanu Ibiam	29 November 1906	December 1995	Medical missionary who later became the first governor of the Eastern Region from 1960 to 1966. The Enugu International Airport is named after him.
Toni Iwobi
Maurice Iwu	21 April 1950	–	Former head of INEC
Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu	4 September 1942	–
Orji Uzor Kalu	21 April 1960	–	Oligarch and former governor of Abia State
K. O. Mbadiwe
Ojo Maduekwe	6 May 1945	–	Former Federal Minister under Obasanjo and Yar'Adua administrations.
Chinwoke Mbadinuju
Sam Mbakwe	1929	5 January 2004	One of the chief former governors of Imo State. The international cargo airport in Owerri is named after him.
Chris Ngige	8 August 1952	–	Former governor of Anambra State
Akachukwu Sullivan Nwankpo	1962		Former Special Advisor to the President Goodluck Jonathan on Technical Matters
Nkechi Justina Nwaogu	1956		Senator who represents the People's Democratic Party in Abia State.
Chimaroke Nnamani	10 April 1959	–	Former governor of Enugu State
Obiageli Ezekwesili	28 April 1963	–	Former Vice President of the World Bank and Education Minister as well as a co-founder of Transparency International.
Ike Nwachukwu
Frank Nweke
Chinyere Ike Nwosu
Zacheus Chukwukaelo Obi
Peter Obi	19 July 1961	–	Former Governor of Anambra State, the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum and the Chairman of the Southeast Governors' Forum.
George Obiozor
Peter Odili	15 August 1948	–	Former governor of Rivers State.
Igwegbe Odum
Frank Ogbuewu
Vincent Eze Ogbulafor
Joy Ogwu
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu	4 November 1933	26 November 2011	Military officer and politician who served as the military governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria in 1966 and the leader of the breakaway Republic of Biafra from 1967 to 1970.
Prince B.B Apugo	5 November 1951		Nigerian politician, philanthropist and businessman, one of the founding fathers of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and a current Board of Trustees Member of the All Progressive Congress (APC)
Chuba Okadigbo
Edward Ikem Okeke
P. N. Okeke-Ojiudu
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala	13 June 1954	–	Current Finance Minister and former Foreign Minister of Nigeria, notable for being the first woman to hold either of those positions.	^[75]
Richard Okonye	1943	1999
Ifeanyi Okowa			Governor of Delta State, fmr senator of Nigeria
Jaycee Okwunwanne	8 October 1985	–
Nwafor Orizu
Alex Otti	18 February 1965		Nigerian economist, banker, investor, philanthropist, and politician, serving as the current Governor of Abia State in Nigeria
Theodore Orji	11 November 1950	–	Former governor of Abia State.
Dennis Osadebay	29 June 1911	26 December 1994	Nigerian politician, poet, journalist and former premier of the now defunct Mid-Western Region of Nigeria, which now comprises Edo and Delta State.
Edward James Roye	3 February 1815	11 February 1872	Fifth President of Liberia from 1870 to his overthrow and subsequent death in 1871.	^[78]
Andy Uba
Achike Udenwa	1948	–	Former governor of Imo State.
Onyema Ugochukwu
Sylvester Ugoh
Charles Ugwuh
Emmanuel Ukaegbu
Jaja Wachuku	1918	1996
Chukwuemeka Ngozichineke Wogu		–

Name	Born	Death	Notability
Okoro Idozuka
Emeka Onwuamaegbu
Aguiyi Ironsi	1924	1966	The first military head of state of Nigeria. He assumed power after the 1966 military coup that killed the then Prime Minister, Sir Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. After 6 months in power, he was killed in a counter coup led by his eventual successor, General Yakubu Gowon and General Theophilus Danjuma.
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu
Azubuike Ihejirika
Ebitu Ukiwe
Ejike Obumneme Aghanya

Name	Born	Death	Notability
Chigozie C. Asiabaka	29 September 1953		Agricultural scientist
Charles Ejogo
Philip Emeagwali	1954	–	Computer scientist/geologist, one of two winners of the 1989 Gordon Bell Prize, a prize from the IEEE, for his use of the Connection Machine supercomputer
Bisi Ezerioha	6 January 1972		Engineer, entrepreneur
Ejikeme Patrick Nwosu	4 February 1983		Scientist, Inventor
Bartholomew Nnaji
John Ogbu	9 May 1939	20 August 2003
Chike Obi	7 April 1921	13 March 2008	Mathematician
Ike Ferdinand Odimegwu			Philosopher
Josephat Obi Oguejiofor			Philosopher
Rita Orji
Gordian Ezekwe	1929	25 June 1997	Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Minister of Science and Technology, inventor
F. Nnabuenyi Ugonna	12 October 1936	5 June 1990
Fabian Udekwu	1928	17 November 2006	Cardiac surgeon, distinguished professor of surgery at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and a pioneer of open-heart surgery in Africa
Walter Enwezor		Agricultural scientist

Name	Born	Death	Notability	Reference
Chioma Ajunwa	25 December 1970	—
Onochie Achike	31 January 1975	–
Kriss Akabusi	28 November 1958	–
Chinaza Amadi	12 September 1987	–
Clement Chukwu	7 July 1973	–
Vivian Chukwuemeka	4 May 1975	–
Innocent Egbunike	30 November 1961	–
Uchenna Emedolu	17 September 1976	–
Obinna Eregbu	9 November 1969	–
Joy Eze	23 April 1988	–
Davidson Ezinwa	22 November 1971	–
Osmond Ezinwa	22 November 1971	–
Chidi Imoh	27 August 1963	–
Obinna Metu	12 July 1988	–
Ngozi Monu	7 January 1981	–
Ogonna Nnamani	29 July 1983	–		^[84]
Francis Obikwelu	22 November 1978	–
Chinonye Ohadugha	24 March 1986	–
Christine Ohuruogu	17 May 1984	–	MBE an English sprinter former World and Olympic Champion in the 400 metres	^[85]^[86]^[87]
Emmanuel Okoli	13 November 1973	–
Marilyn Okoro	23 September 1984	–		^[88]
Christy Opara-Thompson	24 December 1971	–
Charity Opara	20 May 1972	–
Emeka Udechuku	10 July 1979	–
Chima Ugwu	19 July 1973	–

Name	Born	Death	Notability	Reference
John Amaechi	26 November 1970	–	Retired American-born English NBA basketball player who currently works as a broadcaster and political activist in the United Kingdom.	^[89]
Aloysius Anagonye	10 February 1981	–
Giannis Antetokounmpo	6 December 1994	–	Greek NBA player with the Milwaukee Bucks; NBA champion in the 2020-21 season. Igbo mother and Yoruba father.	^[90]
Kelenna Azubuike	16 December 1983	–
Thanasis Antetokounmpo	18 July 1992	–
Kostas Antetokounmpo	20 November 1997	–
Ike Diogu	11 September 1983	–		^[91]
Obinna Ekezie	22 August 1975	–
Benjamin Eze	8 February 1981	–
Ekene Ibekwe	19 July 1985	–
Ike Nwankwo	27 December 1973	–
Julius Nwosu	1 May 1971	–
Chamberlain Oguchi	28 April 1986	–
Emeka Okafor	28 September 1982	–		^[92]
Daniel Okonkwo	1975	–
Ime Udoka	9 August 1977	–
Mfon Udoka	16 June 1976	–

Name	Born	Death	Notability	Reference
Friday Ahunanya	19 November 1971	–
Innocent Anyanwu	25 September 1982	–
Ijeoma Egbunine	30 December 1980	–
Herbie Hide
Ike Ibeabuchi	2 February 1973	–
Emmanuel Nwodo	19 February 1974	–
Dick Tiger (alias Richard Ihetu)	14 August 1929	14 December 1971	Boxer from Amaigbo, Orlu, Nigeria, was a migrant fighter to Liverpool (and later to America).	^[93]

Name	Born	Death	Notability	Reference
Samuel Okwaraji	19 May 1964	12 August 1989
Victor Agali	29 December 1978	–
Festus Agu	13 March 1975	–
Lawrence Akandu	10 December 1974	–
Chukwuma Akabueze	6 May 1989	–
Michael Chidi Alozi
Emmanuel Amuneke	25 December 1970	–
Kevin Amuneke	10 May 1986	–
Blessing Chinedu	22 November 1976	–
Kevin Amuneke	10 May 1986	–
Victor Anichebe	23 April 1988	–
Nnaemeka Anyanwu	21 August 1988	–
Onyekachi Apam	30 December 1986	–
Alex Iwobi	3 May 1996	-
Chibuzor Chilaka	21 October 1986	–
Chukwudi Chijindu	20 February 1986	–
Blessing Chinedu	22 November 1976	–
Christian Chukwu
Eric Obinna Chukwunyelu	10 June 1981	–
Carlton Cole
Ugo Ehiogu	3 November 1972	–
Eric Ejiofor	17 December 1979	–
Chijioke Ejiogu	22 November 1984	–
Caleb Ekwegwo	1 August 1988	–
Ifeanyi Emeghara	24 March 1984	–
Hugo Enyinnaya	8 May 1981	–
Dino Eze	1 June 1984	–
Ndubuisi Eze	10 May 1984	–
Victor Ezeji	9 June 1981	–
Emeka Ifejiagwa	30 October 1977	–
Amaechi Igwe	20 May 1988	–
Ugo Ihemelu	3 April 1983	–
Ikechukwu Kalu	18 April 1984	–
Maxwell Kalu	23 March 1976	–
Christopher Kanu	4 December 1979	–
Nwankwo Kanu	1 August 1976	–	Nwankwo Kanu (born 1 August 1976 in Owerri, Nigeria), usually known simply as Kanu and nicknamed Papilo, is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Nigerian national team and for English club Portsmouth.	^[94]
Henry Nwosu Kanu	14 February 1980	–
Stephen Keshi	1962	2016	Former Nigerian soccer team captain and coach, won the African Cup of Nations both as player and coach
Paul McGrath	4 December 1959	–	England-born Republic of Ireland international player. Irish mother and Igbo biological father.
Usim Nduka	23 September 1985	–
Chukwuemeka Nwadike	9 August 1978	–
Obinna Nwaneri	19 March 1982	–
Onyekachi Nwoha	28 February 1983	–
Chucks Nwoko	21 November 197	–
Udo Nwoko	15 October 1984	–
Henry Nwosu	14 June 1963	–
Mikel John Obi	22 April 1987	–	Won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2012	^[95]
Victor Nsofor Obinna	25 March 1987	–
Chinedu Obasi	1 June 1986	–
Ibezito Ogbonna	27 March 1983	–
Bertrand Okafor	4 January 1990	–
Uche Okafor	8 August 1967	6 January 2011
Uche Okafor	10 February 1991	–
Uche Okechukwu	27 September 1967	–
Jay-Jay Okocha	14 August 1973	–		^[94]
Chima Okorie	8 October 1968	–
Stanley Okoro	8 December 1992	–
Sunday Patrick Okoro	27 April 1986	–
Digger Okonkwo	30 August 1977	–
Onyekachi Okonkwo	13 May 1982	–
Isaac Okoronkwo	1 May 1978	–
Kelechi Okoye	1984	–
Sunday Oliseh		–
Tochukwu Oluehi	3 June 1988
Nedum Onuoha	12 November 1986
Iffy Onuora	28 July 1967	–
Chima Onyeike	21 June 1975	–
Obi Onyeike	25 June 1992	–
Daniel Onyekachi	23 August 1985	–
Oguchi Onyewu	13 May 1982	–		^[96]
Henry Onyekuru	5 June 1997	–
Kelechi Osunwa	15 October 1984	–
Chioma Ubogagu	10 September 1992	–
Ikechukwu Uche	5 January 1984	–
Oguchi Uche	1987	–
Nduka Ugbade			Former Nigerian football player, first African to lift the world cup
John Ugochukwu	20 April 1988	–
Magalan Ugochukwu	20 June 1990	–
Ugo Ukah	18 January 1984	–
Ejike Uzoenyi
Eke Uzoma	19 July 1989	–
Samuel Chukwueze	22 May 1999	–
Carney Chukwuemeka	20 October 2003	_

Name	Born	Death	Notability
Chika Chukwumerije	30 December 1983	–	Olympic silver medallist
Anthony Njokuani	1 March 1980	–
Jacob Martins Obiorah	27 March 1974	–
Chukwuemeka Onyemachi	28 July 1974	–

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