List of Yoruba people
This is a list of notable Yoruba people.
Film and cinema
Nollywood
Writers and directors
- Biyi Bandele, novelist, playwright and filmmaker
- Kemi Adesoye, Peter ijagbemi screenwriter
- Kemi Adetiba, filmmaker, television director, music video director
- Kunle Afolayan, actor peter ijagbemi, film producer and director
- Meji Alabi
- Oyin Adejobi, dramatist and actor
- Tomi Adeyemi, Nigerian-American novelist and creative writing coach
- Waheed Ijaduade, actor, producer and director
- Tunde Kelani, filmmaker, storyteller, photographer, director and producer
Non-Nollywood
- Adelayo Adedayo
- Adepero Oduye
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
- Alex Lanipekun
- Andi Osho
- Ariyon Bakare
- Bolaji Badejo
- Damson Idris
- David Oyelowo
- Dayo Okeniyi
- Femi Emiola
- Gbemisola Ikumelo
- Gbenga Akinnagbe
- Gina Yashere
- Hakeem Kae-Kazim
- Isaach de Bankolé
- John Boyega
- Kola Bokinni
- KSI
- O-T Fagbenle
- Richard Ayoade
- Rick Famuyiwa
- Rotimi
- Sope Aluko
- Stephen K. Amos
- Toks Olagundoye
- Tosin Cole
- Wunmi Mosaku
Academics
- Akinwumi Ogundiran, archaeologist, historian, anthropologist, author of The Yoruba: A New History
- Bolaji Akinyemi, Nigerian professor of political science who was Nigeria External Affairs Minister in 1985-1987
- Bolanle Awe, Nigerian history professor
- Christopher Kolade, Nigerian diplomat and academic
- David Olusoga, British-Nigerian historian, writer, broadcaster, author of Black And British: A Forgotten History
- Hezekiah Ademola Oluwafemi, Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University from 1966 to 1975
- Isaac Folorunso Adewole, Nigerian professor of gynaecology and obstetrics
- Kofoworola Ademola, educationist, first black African woman to earn a degree from Oxford University
- Kola Tubosun, linguist, writer, teacher, known for Yoruba Name Project, Nigerian English Google Assistant
- Lola Akande, academic, author, public relations professional.
- Olanrewaju Fagbohun, academic, author, investor, professor of environmental law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria
- Orishatukeh Faduma
- Oyeronke Oyewumi, sociologist, gender scholar
- Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, Nigerian professor of systems engineering, Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos
- Solomon Babalola
- Stephen Adebanji Akintoye, academic, historian and writer
- T.G.O. Gbadamosi, historian, academic and religious leader
- Toyin Falola, historian and professor of African studies
- Samuel A. Ajila, academic administrator and professor of software engineering and data mining
- Folahanmi Aina, Nigerian political scientist, international security analyst and researcher
Medicine
- Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, physician
- Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh, physician, educational administrator, professor of chemical pathology
- Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi, first woman to practise as a physician in Nigeria
- Joseph Ladapo, Nigerian-American doctor serving as the surgeon general of Florida since 2021
- Latunde Odeku, neurosurgeon
- Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, paediatrician, activist and health minister of Nigeria
- Oni Akerele, Nigeria's first indigenous surgeon
- Orisadipe Obasa, doctor and prince
Journalism and the media
- Ade Adepitan, Nigerian-born British television presenter and wheelchair basketball player
- Adeola Fayehun, journalist
- Abraham Adesanya, Nigerian politician, lawyer, activist, welfarist and liberal progressive
- Dele Giwa, journalist, editor and founder of Newswatch magazine
- Dele Momodu, journalist/publisher, businessman and motivational speaker
- Dotun Adebayo, British radio presenter, writer and publisher
- Femi Adesina, journalist
- Femi Oke, British television presenter and journalist
- Henry Dele Alake
- Julie Adenuga, British broadcaster, radio host and the creator of 'Don't Trust The Internet'
- Kayode Soyinka
- Kehinde Bankole, actress, model and television host
- Kitoye Ajasa, Nigerian lawyer and legislator during the colonial period, first Nigerian to be knighted
- Laolu Akande
- Laura Ikeji
- Mosunmola Abudu, Nigerian media mogul and philanthropist
- Oluremi Oyo, Nigerian veteran journalist
- Omoyele Sowore, Nigerian human rights activist, founder of an online news agency Sahara Reporters
- Reuben Abati, journalist, politician, television anchor and newspaper columnist
- Seun Osewa, Nigerian internet entrepreneur
- Tolu Ogunlesi, Nigerian journalist, poet, photographer, fiction writer and blogger
- Yinka Bokinni, British radio and television presenter
Visual arts
Artists
- Laolu Senbanjo, Nigerian visual artist, musician, singer/songwriter and former human rights attorney
- Aina Onabolu, pioneering Nigerian modern arts teacher and painter
- Ibiyinka Alao, Nigerian American artist, architect, writer, film director and musical theater composer
- Kehinde Wiley
- Nike Davies-Okundaye, Nigerian batik and adire textile designer
- Olowe of Ise, wood sculptor
- Yusuf Grillo, Nigerian painter
Photography
- Bayo Omoboriowo, Nigerian photojournalist and documentary photographer
- Lola Akinmade Åkerström. photographer and travel writer
- Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Nigerian-born photographer
- TY Bello
Politics and administration
Politics
- Abayomi Kinyomi, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Third Republic
- Adebayo Salami, Senator, chieftain of All Progressives Congress
- Adekunle Fajuyi, first military governor of Western Region, Nigeria
- Adeyemo Alakija, lawyer, politician, businessman, president of Egbe Omo Oduduwa
- Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria from 2015 to 2019
- Ayodele Fayose, Governor of Ekiti State
- Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State from 2019
- Babalola Borisade, Federal Minister of Nigeria
- Babatunde Fashola, lawyer and politician, former Governor of Lagos State
- Benjamin Adekunle, Nigerian Army Brigadier
- Bola Ige, lawyer and politician
- Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria and national leader of All Progressives Congress
- Bukola Saraki, 13th President of the Senate of Nigeria
- Christopher Omoworare Babajide, Nigerian politician
- Desmond Elliot, Nigerian actor, director and politician
- Dolapo Osinbajo
- Dipo Dina, politician, philanthropist, administrator
- Dino Melaye, served as the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in Nigeria's National Assembly. He held this position from June 2015 until October 11, 2019,
- Ernest Shonekan, Nigerian lawyer and statesman
- Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigerian politician, essayist, poet and lawyer
- Femi Gbaja Biamila, Nigerian lawyer
- Femi Hamzat, Nigerian politician
- Folorunsho Coker Nigerian politician
- Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Nigerian senator and retired custom officer
- Frederick Fasehun, Nigerian medical doctor, hotel owner and politician
- Funsho Williams, politician from Lagos State
- Gbenga Daniel, Nigerian politician, Governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011
- Gboyega Oyetola, 9th Governor of Osun State
- Herbert Macaulay, Nigerian nationalist, politician, surveyor, engineer, architect, journalist and musician
- Ibikunle Amosun, Nigerian politician, Governor of Ogun State from 2011 to 2019
- Joseph Fadahunsi
- Kayode Fayemi, Nigerian politician, Governor of Ekiti State
- Kofo Abayomi, Nigerian ophthalmologist and politician
- Lawan Gwadabe, Military Administrator of Niger State from 1987 to 1992
- Lola Young
- Leke Abejide,, representing Yagba Federal Constituency.
- 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, People's peer, current chair of the NHS Confederation
- Yemi Osinbajo, Nigerian lawyer and politician, Vice-President of Nigeria since 2015
- Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, officer of the Nigerian Army, Governor of Western Region
Administration
- Akinwumi Adesina, President of African Development Bank since 2015
- Joseph Oladele Sanusi, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 1999 to 2004
- Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, fifth President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization
- Oye Owolewa, Nigerian-American pharmacist and politician
- Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Treasury Secretary, United States of America
African diaspora
Brazil
- Cândido da Fonseca Galvão, military officer and nobleman
- Osifekunde
- Pacifico Licutan
Canada
Cuba
- Carlota, one of the leaders of the slave rebellion in the Triunvirato plantation
- José Antonio Aponte, leader of the Aponte conspiracy
- Miguel "Angá" Díaz, musician
- María Magdalena Campos Pons, artist based in the United States
- Manuel Mendive, artist
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago
- Victor Pascall, cricketer
United States
- Oluwale Kossola (Cudjoe Lewis)
- Matilda McCrear
- Redoshi
- Scipio Vaughan, artisan and slave, inspired Back-to-Africa movement
Aristocrats
Monarchs
- Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni Ojikutujoye I, Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo
- Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II, traditional ruler of the Akure Kingdom
- Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, Alake of Egbaland
- Adeniji Adele, Oba of Lagos
- Adesoji Aderemi, Ooni of Ife
- Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ile-Ife
- Adeyinka Oyekan, second Christian Oba of Lagos
- Ajaka, Oyo Emperor
- Ajimudaoro Aladesanmi I, Ewi of Ado Ekiti
- Daniel Aladesanmi II, Ewi of Ado Ekiti
- Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III
- Fredrick Kumokun Adedeji Haastrup, Oba Obokun of Ilesa, first Christian Oba of Yorubaland
- Ladapo Ademola, Alake of Abeokuta
- Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of [Oyo, Oyo Empire|Oyo State|Oyo]
- Moremi Ajasoro, 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, ancestor of many dynasties
- Olagbegi Atanneye I, paramaunt ruler of Owo Kingdom
- Olagbegi Atanneye II
- Olateru Olagbegi I
- Olateru Olagbegi II
- Olubuse II, traditional ruler of Ife
- Oranyan, legendary founder of Oyo
- Orompoto, female Alaafin of Oyo
- Oshun
- Osupa
- Oya
- Oyekan I
- Rilwan Akiolu
- Rufus Aladesanmi III
- Samuel Akinsanya
- Shango
- Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Awujale of the Ijebu Kingdom
- Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Soun of Ogbomosho
Chiefs and princes
- Abibatu Mogaji, business magnate
- Abiola Dosunmu
- Adeniran Ogunsanya
- Afe Babalola
- Bisoye Tejuoso
- Christopher Sapara Williams
- Efunroye Tinubu
- Efunsetan Aniwura, second Iyalode of Ibadan, slavetrader
- G.B.A. Coker,, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
- Gaha, leader of the military in the Oyo Empire
- Gani Adams, activist, politician and the 15th Aare Ono Kakanfo of Yorubaland
- Henry Fajemirokun,, trade unionist, industrialist and philanthropist
- H.O. Davies, lawyer, journalist, trade unionist, thought leader and politician
- John Otunba Payne, Nigerian sheriff, administrator and diarist
- MKO Abiola
- Moses Majekodunmi
- Oluyole
- Oguntola Sapara
- Richard Akinjide
- Roseline Osipitan
- Sarah Forbes Bonetta
- Sunday Igboho
- Tejumade Alakija
- T.O.S. Benson
- Yemi Elebuibon
- Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon
Sports
Football (soccer)
- Abdulwaheed Afolabi
- Adebayo Adeleye, 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, Nigerian professional footballer
- Junior Olaitan, Beninese professional footballer
- Karim Adeyemi, German professional footballer
- Kevin Schade, German professional footballer
- Leon Balogun, defender for the Nigeria national football team
- Manuel Akanji, Swiss professional footballer
- Mathieu Adeniyi, Beninese football player
- Michael Obafemi, Irish professional footballer
- Mohammed Nur, Nigerian international footballer who plays as a striker
- Mudashiru Lawal, Nigerian footballer who played as a midfielder
- Nathan Delfouneso
- Nathan Tella, English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder
- Olufolasade Adamolekun
- Omar Sowunmi
- Obafemi Martins, Nigerian professional footballer
- Patrick Owomoyela, German former professional footballer
- Peter Odemwingie, retired Nigerian professional footballer who played as a forward and a winger
- Rabiu Afolabi
- Rasheedat Ajibade
- Rasheed Yekini, Nigerian professional footballer who played as a striker
- Razak Omotoyossi, Beninese professional footballer
- Sammy Ameobi
- Saturnin Allagbé, player for the Benin national football team
- Sheyi Ojo
- Segun Odegbami, Nigerian former professional footballer who played as forward
- Simon Sohm
- Sone Aluko
- Shola Ameobi, Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a striker
- Steve Mounie
- Taiwo Awoniyi
- Taye Taiwo, Nigerian professional footballer
- Thomas Sowunmi
- Tobi Jnohope, footballer
- Tobi Sho-Silva, English professional footballer
- Tosin Adarabioyo, English professional footballer
- Tosin Aiyegun
- Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a striker
Football coaches
- Festus Onigbinde, Nigerian football manager
- Segun Odegbami, Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward
- Yemi Tella, coach of the Nigerian football team
Basketball
- A. J. Edu
- Alex Antetokounmpo
- Bam Adebayo
- Gani Oladimeji Lawal Jr.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Kostas Antetokounmpo, Greek professional basketball player
- Michael Olowokandi, Nigerian former professional basketball player
- Olu Famutimi, Canadian professional basketball player
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Greek professional basketball player
- Victor Oladipo, American professional basketball player
Combat sports
- Anthony Joshua, British professional boxer and two-time former unified world heavyweight champion
- Israel Adesanya, Nigerian-born New Zealand professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and former professional boxer
- Benny Adegbuyi, Romanian kickboxer and professional boxer
- Muhammed Lawal, American professional wrestler and retired mixed martial artist
- Ola Afolabi, British professional boxer
Volleyball
- Foluke Akinradewo, indoor volleyball player
American football
Ice hockey
Track and field athletes
- Daley Thompson
- Femi Ogunode
- Karim Olowu
- Olabisi Afolabi, retired track and field athlete from Nigeria
- Oludamola Osayomi
- Olusoji Fasuba, Nigerian sprinter
- Tobi Amusan, Nigerian hurdler who also competes as a sprinter. World record holder in the 100m hurdles.
- Yakubu Adesokan, Nigerian powerlifter
- Kriss Akabusi, track and field athlete, Olympic, Commonwealth Games, and European Championships medal winner, 400m hurdle record holder
Squash and Table tennis
- Segun Toriola, Nigerian professional table tennis player
- Quadri Aruna, Nigerian professional table tennis player
Music
African
Post-2000s
- 9ice, Nigerian musician, songwriter and dancer
- Adekunle Gold, Nigerian highlife singer, songwriter and graphic designer
- Aramide, Nigerian afro-soul singer and songwriter
- Aṣa
- Asake
- Ayọ
- Ayo Jay
- Ayo Maff
- Ayra Starr
- Barry Jhay
- Bella Shmurda
- Brymo
- CDQ
- Chinko Ekun
- D'banj
- Darkoo
- Davido
- Darey Art Alade
- DJ Cuppy
- Dotman
- Eedris Abdulkareem
- eLDee
- Falz
- Femi Kuti
- Femi Leye
- Fireboy DML
- Jamopyper
- Jaywon
- JME
- Joeboy
- KSI
- Kizz Daniel
- Bad Boy Timz
- Korede Bello
- Ladipoe
- L.A.X
- Laycon, Nigerian media personality, rapper, singer and songwriter
- Lil Kesh, Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter
- Little Simz
- Lojay
- Lyta
- Magixx (singer)
- Maleek Berry, British-Nigerian record producer and recording artist
- Mayorkun, Nigerian singer, songwriter and pianist
- MohBad
- Mr Eazi
- Mz Kiss
- Naira Marley
- Niniola
- Not3s
- Odunsi the Engine
- Olamide
- Olu Maintain
- Oxlade (singer)
- Qdot
- Queen Fumi
- Reekado Banks
- 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, Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter
- Zeynab
- Zlatan, Nigerian singer, songwriter, musician and dancer
Directors and DJs
- Clarence Peters
- DJ Cuppy
- Director K
- DJ Caise, Nigerian disc jockey
- DJ Jimmy Jatt, Nigerian disc jockey
- DJ Neptune, Nigerian disc jockey and record producer
- DJ Spinall, Nigeriand disc jockey, record producer, songwriter, label executive and media personality
- DJ Xclusive, Nigerian disc jockey, recorder producer and recording artist
- DJ Tunez
- D'Tunes
- Kiddominant, Nigerian recording producer, songwriter and artist
- Pheelz, Nigerian record producer and songwriter
Modelling and fashion
- Deola Sagoe
- Yetunde Barnabas, Nigerian model, beauty queen, actress and film producer
- Mowalola Ogunlesi, Nigerian fashion designer and musician
Culinary arts
- Aji Akokomi is founder of Michelin-starred restaurant Akoko
- Ire Hassan-Odukale Co-founder of Ikoyi, a renowned, two-Michelin-starred London restaurant.
- Adejoke Bakare The first black female chef in the world with her own Michelin-starred restaurant, Chishuru, and is currently the only black female chef in the world running a Michelin-starred kitchen today.
Theatre
- Shank Comics, Nigerian comedian
Law, activism and advocacy
Writers
English language
- Ogunewu Michael Adeleke
- Shola Balogun