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

## Beauty pageant winners and models
### Miss Nigeria & Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria

* Debbie Collins, Miss World 2016 Nigeria representative
* Unoaku Anyadike, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2015, Miss World 2015 Nigeria representative
* Iheoma Nnadi, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2014, Miss World 2014 Nigeria representative
* Ezinne Akudo, Miss Nigeria 2013
* Sylvia Nduka, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2011, Miss World 2011 Nigeria representative
* Fiona Amuzie-Iredu, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2010, Miss World 2010 Nigeria representative
* Glory Umunna, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2009, Miss World 2009 Nigeria representative
* Adaeze Igwe, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2008, Miss World 2008 Nigeria representative, wife of former Nigerian football team captain Joseph Yobo
* Munachi Nwankwo, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2007, Miss World 2007 Nigeria representative
* Chinenye Ochuba, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2002, Miss World 2002 Top 10 finalist, African Continental Queen of Beauty
* Sabina Umeh, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 1990
* Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 1988, Miss Africa 1988, Miss Intercontinental 1989, Nigeria ambassador to Spain 2012–15, wife of the late Biafran President Odumegwu Ojukwu
* Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu, Miss Africa 1987, 2nd Nigerian to represent Nigeria in Miss Universe 1987 after a 23-year absence of the country in the pageant

### Mister Nigeria

* Ikenna Bryan Okwara, Mr Nigeria 2007, semi-finalist Mister World 2007

### Runway models and magazine covers

* Ngo Okafor, arguably the internet's most downloaded black male model.
* Oluchi Onweagba, winner of Face of Africa 1998; she has starred in shows for Gucci, Carolina Herrera, John Galliano, Missoni, Tommy Hilfiger, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Christian Dior, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Jeremy Scott, Helmut Lang, Fendi, Mary Timms, Anna Sui, Givenchy, Kenzo, Giorgio Armani, Céline, Nina Ricci, and Diane Von Furstenberg

### More pageant winners

* Collete Nwadike, winner of the Exquisite Face of the Universe Pageant, winner of Miss Tourism Nigeria 2014, and special advisor to the Governor of Anambra State on tourism

## Music producers

* DJ Coublon, awarded Producer of the Year by All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)
* Masterkraft, won Music Producer of the Year at both the City People Entertainment Awards and Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
* Tyler, the Creator, Grammy award winning artist
* Rexxie, Nigerian record producer and DJ

## Actors and actresses
### Foreign

* Annie Ilonzeh, starred in General Hospital, Charlie's Angels, Arrow, Drop Dead Diva, Empire, All Eyez on Me, 'Til Death Do Us Part, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
* Antonia Okonma, starred as Darlene Cake in the ITV series Bad Girls
* Ashley Madekwe, film credits include Bambi in the ITV2 series Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Ashley Davenport on the ABC drama series Revenge and the witch Tituba in the WGN America series Salem
* Carmen Ejogo, hosted the Saturday Disney morning show. Film credits include Love's Labour's Lost (2000), What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001), Away We Go (2009), Sparkle (2012), Alex Cross (2012), The Purge: Anarchy (2014), It Comes at Night (2017), Alien: Covenant (2017). She Picquery in the Fantastic Beasts film series, Coretta Scott King in two films: Boycott (2001) and Selma (2014)
* Caroline Chikezie, Her movie roles include Sasha Williams in As If, Elaine Hardy in Footballers' Wives, Queen Tamlin in The Shannara Chronicles, the Cyberwoman in Torchwood, Nasuada in Eragon
* Charles Venn, known for his roles as Ray Dixon in EastEnders, Jacob Masters in Casualty, Curtis Alexander in Dream Team, Tremaine Gidigbi in Footballers' Wives
* Chike Nwoffiah, actor, theater director and filmmaker. Listed as one of the "Top Ten Most Influential African Americans" in the San Francisco Bay Area, he has served on several regional and national grant review panels including: the National Endowment for the Arts, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Sacramento Arts Commission, San Francisco Arts Commission, Arts Council Silicon Valley, Walter and Elise Haas Fund and the Center for Cultural Innovation
* Chiké Okonkwo, starred as PC Clark in New Tricks and DC Callum Gada in Paradox. He currently stars as Lee Truitt, the love interest of the title character on the BET series Being Mary Jane
* Chiwetel Ejiofor, Award-winning and two-time Golden Globe Award-nominated actor, Brother of CNN newscaster Zain Asher
* Cyril Nri, actor, writer and director who starred as Superintendent "Adam Okaro" in the police TV series The Bill
* Enuka Okuma, starred in Rookie Blue, Madison, Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, Hillside
* Ifeanyi Chijindu
* Megalyn Echikunwoke, starred as Tara Price in CSI: Miami, Isabelle Tyler in The 4400 and as Mari McCabe / Vixen in the Arrowverse. Partner of comedian and actor Chris Rock
* Nonso Anozie, starred as Tank in RocknRolla, Sergeant Dap in Ender's Game, Abraham Kenyatta in Zoo, Captain of the Guards in Cinderella and Xaro Xhoan Daxos in the HBO television series Game of Thrones
* Phina Oruche, actress, radio presenter and former model who starred as Liberty Baker in ITV's Footballers' Wives, for which she won a Screen Nations Award for Favourite TV Star
* Tracy Ifeachor, known for roles in Blooded, Billionaire Ransom, Casualty, Doctor Who, Strike Back, Jo, Crossbones, Hawaii Five-0, Ina Paha, The Originals, Quantico
* Uzo Aduba, starred as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black, winner of an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2014, an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2015, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series in 2014 and 2015. She is one of only two actors to win an Emmy Award in both the comedy and drama categories for the same role.
* Kelechi Eke is the founder of The African Film Festival (TAFF) and the creator of movie streaming service, Rootflix. On August 19, 2023, he received the United States President Lifetime Achievement Award for his humanitarian services.

### Traced heritage

* Blair Underwood, American television and film actor nominated for a 2009 Golden Globe Award for his role on In Treatment
* Danny Glover
* Forest Whitaker, American actor, producer, and director who won an Academy Award for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film The Last King of Scotland'
* Paul Robeson (1898–1976), multi-lingual American actor, athlete, Basso cantante concert singer, writer, civil rights activist, fellow traveler, Spingarn Medal winner, and Stalin Peace Prize laureate

### Nollywood

* Afro Candy
* Amaechi Muonagor, actor and producer. Igodo, Without Goodbye, Most Wanted Kidnappers, Jack and Jill, Village Rascal, Evil World, Ugonma, Spirits
* Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Lifetime Achievement award winner at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards
* Chacha Eke, starred in The End is Near, Commander in Chief, Clap of Thunder, Two Hearts
* Chelsea Eze
* Chidi Mokeme, actor and ex host of the Gulder Ultimate Search Reality-show
* Chika Ike, winner of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Award for Most Disciplined Actress
* Chinedu "Aki" Ikedieze, He is best known for his character "Aki", playing alongside Osita Iheme in their breakthrough movie Aki na Ukwa, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
* Chioma Chukwuka, actress and movie producer, winner of the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role, winner of the Afro Hollywood award for Best actress in a lead role
* Cynthia Shalom, actress and producer, winner of Next Movie Star reality show season 11
* Chioma Okoye
* Chioma Toplis
* Chizzy Alichi, winner City People Entertainment Awards Best New Actress Of The Year (English), winner Nigeria Achievers Award Next Rated Actress Of The Year
* Clem Ohameze, starred in Ije: The Journey
* Destiny Etiko
* Ebele Okaro, Best Supporting Actress 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
* Ebube Nwagbo, starred in Arrested by Love, Eyes of the Nun, Before My Eyes, Against My Blood, Royal Palace, Not Yours!, Ojuju calabar
* Ejike Asiegbu, former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria.
* Emeka Ike
* Enyinna Nwigwe, best known for The Wedding Party, Black November, Black Gold
* Francis Agu (1965–2007), actor. Best known for his role on the long-running Nigerian television series Checkmate
* Frederick Leonard
* Genevieve Nnaji, winner Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for Best Movie West Africa, Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Actress Tv Series and Best Actress in Supporting Role, Nollywood Movies Awards for Viewers Choice- Female, Ghana Movie Awards for Best Actress-Africa Collaboration, NAFCA for Best Actress Leading Role, Best of Nollywood Awards for Best Kiss, Zulu African Film Academy Awards for Best Actress, City People Entertainment Awards for Best Actress. Member of the Order of the Federal Republic
* Hanks Anuku, often stars as a villain in many Nollywood films. Brother of Miss Nigeria 1986 Late Rita Anuku
* Ijeoma Grace Agu
* Jim Iyke, one of the stars of the movie Last Flight to Abuja
* John Okafor, acted in more than 200 movies including Mr.Ibu (2004), Mr.Ibu in London (2004), Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006) and Keziah (2007).
* Kanayo O. Kanayo
* Ken Erics
* Linda Ejiofor
* Lota Chukwu
* Mercy Johnson
* Michael Ezuruonye
* Mike Godson
* Monalisa Chinda
* Muna Obiekwe
* Ngozi Ezeonu
* Nuella Njubigbo
* Nkem Owoh
* Nonso Diobi
* Oby Kechere
* OC Ukeje
* Oge Okoye
* Onyeka Onwenu
* Osita "Paw paw" Iheme
* Patience Ozokwor
* Pete Edochie
* Prince Eke
* Queen Nwokoye
* Rachael Okonkwo
* Regina Daniels
* Rita Dominic
* Saint Obi
* Stella Damasus-Aboderin
* Stephanie Okereke, Best Actress – English and Best Actress of the year 2003, Reel Awards 2003 – also nominated twice for the Africa Movie Academy Award 2005 and 2009 for Best Actress in a Leading Role
* Sylvia Oluchy
* Tonto Dike
* Tony Umez
* Uche Jombo
* Uru Eke
* Yul Edochie
* Zack Orji
* Kelechi Eke

## Comedians

* Basketmouth
* Buchi
* Chigul
* Frank D Don
* Godfrey
* Mama Uka

## TV/Radio hosts and journalists

* Adaora Onyechere, co-anchor of morning show Kakaaki on AIT
* Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Big Brother Naija and Rubbing minds host
* Emma Ugolee
* Joyce Ohajah
* Keme Nzerem, Channel 4 News news anchor and reporter.
* Murphy Ijemba
* Ogechukwukanma Ogwo
* Tobechi Nneji, "Most listened-to OAP in all of Eastern Nigeria at mid-day" according to ThisDay newspaper
* Uti Nwachukwu
* Zain Asher, news anchor at CNN, sister of actor Chiwetel Ejiofor

## Artists and illustrators

* Ada Udechukwu
* Ben Enwonwu (1921–1994)
* Chike Aniakor
* Chris Ofili
* Dawn Okoro
* Demas Nwoko
* Chidi Kwubiri
* George Edozie
* Ifeanyi Chijindu
* Ken Nwadiogbu
* Mendi & Keith Obadike
* Ndidi Dike
* Nnenna Okore
* Obiora Udechukwu
* Tony Nsofor
* Uche Okeke
* Kelvin Okafor

## Authors

* Ada Udechukwu (born 1960)
* Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
* Akwaeke Emezi (born 1987)
* Africanus Horton(1835–1883), also known as James Beale, he was a writer and folklorist from Sierra Leone
* Buchi Emecheta (1944–2017)
* Catherine Obianuju Acholonu (1951–2014)
* Chika Unigwe (born 1974)
* Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (born 1977), best known for Half of a Yellow Sun
* Chinua Achebe (1930–2013), novelist, poet and critic, best known for his award-winning novel Things Fall Apart
* Chinweizu Ibekwe (born 1943)
* Chris Abani (born 1966), notable for his first novel, Masters of the Board, which was about a Neo-Nazi takeover of Nigeria
* Christopher Okigbo (1932–1967)
* Chukwuemeka Ike (1931 - 2020)
* Cyprian Ekwensi (1921–2007)
* E. Nolue Emenanjo (born 1943)
* Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832–1912), Liberian educator, clergyman and Pan-Africanist
* Elizabeth Isichei (born 1939), prominent historian
* Emma Ugolee (born 1975)
* F. Nnabuenyi Ugonna (1936–1990)
* Flora Nwapa (1931–1993)
* Ifeanyi Chijindu (born 1978)
* Ifeoma Onyefulu (born 1959)
* Ike Oguine
* Jeff Unaegbu (born 1979)
* Joy Chinwe Eyisi (born 1969), best known for her Common Errors in the Use of English
* Michael Echeruo (born 1937)
* Okey Ndibe (born 1960)
* Okwui Enwezor (1963–2019)
* Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745–1797), also known as Gustavus Vassa, was a writer and abolitionist
* Onuora Nzekwu (1928–2017)
* Onyeka Nwelue (born 1988)
* Nkem Nwankwo (1936–2001)
* Nnedi Okorafor (born 1974)
* Nnorom Azuonye (born 1967)
* Paschal Eze
* Uche Nduka (born 1963)
* Uchechi Kalu
* Uzodinma Iweala (born 1982)
* Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike (1931–2020)
* William Napoleon Barleycorn (1884–1925), Spanish Guinean Primitive Methodist missionary and author of the first Bube language primer. He was a member of a prominent Fernandino family.
* Zulu Sofola (1935–1995), the first published female Nigerian playwright and dramatist and first female Professor of Theater Arts in Africa
* Nduka Otiono
* Emeka Nwabueze (born September 23, 1949)

## Film makers, producers and directors

* Amaka Igwe
* Chet Anekwe
* Chika Anadu
* Chinedum Iregbu
* Chineze Anyaene
* C. J. Obasi
* Chris Ihidero
* David Nnaji
* Dickson Iroegbu
* Eddie Ugbomah
* Ikechukwu Onyeka
* Izu Ojukwu
* Lonzo Nzekwe
* Mildred Okwo
* Nkiru Njoku
* Obi Emelonye
* Ujuaku Akukwe
* Oby Kechere
* Okechukwu Oku
* Onyeka Nwelue
* Pascal Amanfo
* Pascal Atuma
* Sam Ukala
* Uche Odoh
* Mary Uranta
* Uzo
* Chijindu Kelechi Eke

## Singers and musicians
### Gospel singers

* Ada Ehi
* Frank Edwards
* Mercy Chinwo
* Obiwon
* Patty Obasi
* Samsong
* Sinach

### Pre-2000s

* Bright Chimezie
* Celestine Ukwu
* Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe
* Dr Alban
* Jide Obi
* Joshua Uzoigwe
* Mendi & Keith Obadike
* Mike Ejeagha
* Nelly Uchendu
* Oliver De Coque
* Onyeka Onwenu
* Oriental brothers
* Patti Boulaye
* Pericoma Okoye
* William Onyeabor

### 2000s

* Amarachi
* Bracket
* Benjamin Okorie
* Blaqbonez
* Chidinma
* Chike
* Chikezie
* CKay
* Dax
* Duncan Mighty
* Dekumzy
* Echezonachukwu Nduka
* Ego Ihenacho
* Emeka Nwokedi
* Emma Nyra
* Emmy Gee
* Etcetera Ejikeme
* Faze
* Fave
* Flavour N'abania
* Humblesmith
* Illbliss
* J. Martins
* Jidenna
* Kcee
* Kele Okereke, vocalist and rhythm guitarist for English indie rock band Bloc Party
* Kingsley Okorie
* Lachi
* Lemar
* Leo the Lion
* Lynxxx
* Mr Raw
* Muma Gee
* Naeto C
* Nneka
* P-Square, R&B duo composed of identical twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye
* Patoranking
* Phyno
* Ric Hassani
* Ruggedman
* Runtown
* Shaboozey
* SHiiKANE
* Snazzy the Optimist
* Tekno
* Tinie Tempah
* Ty
* Ugoccie
* Tyler, the Creator
* Waconzy
* 2Shotz
* Tobe Nwigwe
* Victony
* Yemi Alade

## Education

| 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 |
| 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 |

### Historians

| Name | Born | Death | Notability |
| 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 | |

### Philosophers

| Name | Born | Death | Notability | Reference |
| Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze | 18 January 1963 | 30 December 2007 | | |

## Heads of organizations and business executives

| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |

## Economists

* Arunma Oteh, Vice President and Treasurer at World Bank
* Charles Chukwuma Soludo, economics professor and former Governor and Chairman of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
* Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
* Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minister and Foreign Minister of Nigeria, notable for being the first woman to hold either of those positions. She is also a former World Bank managing director and a one-time Presidential candidate of the same institution, member Twitter board
* Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Vice President of the World Bank and Education Minister as well as a co-founder of Transparency International
* Okwu Joseph Nnanna, former deputy Governor of Economic Policy and deputy Governor of Financial System Stability at Central Bank of Nigeria
* Onyema Ugochukwu, economist, journalist, and politician
* Pat Utomi
* Pius Okigbo
* Priscilla Ekwere Eleje, first Nigerian female to have her signature appended on the naira and current Director of currency operations, Central Bank of Nigeria

## Bloggers

* Linda Ikeji
* Noble Igwe
* Uche Eze

## Journalists

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

## Judges

* Chile Eboe-Osuji, Judge of the International Criminal Court
* Pats Acholonu (1936–2006), Supreme Court of Nigeria justice
* Chukwudifu Oputa (1924–2014), supreme Court of Nigeria justice

## Political figures
### Activists

| 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 |

### Military rulers

* Major (Dr.) Albert Okonkwo, Military Administrator of the Mid-Western State of Nigeria in mid-1967 during an attempt to establish the region as the independent Republic of Benin early in the Nigerian Civil War

### Monarchs

* Obi Prof Joseph Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba
* Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, Obi of Onitsha

### Politicians

| Name | Born | Death | Notability |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 | | – | |

### Military

| 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 | | | |

## Scientists & inventors

| 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 |

## Sports

* Chioma Ajunwa, first female African Olympic gold medallist
* Chioma Igwe
* Ugochukwu Monye

### American football players

* Adimchinobi Echemandu, American football running back who is a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft
* Amobi Okoye
* Buchie Ibeh
* Chidi Iwuoma
* Chike Okeafor
* Chinedum Ndukwe
* Christian Okoye
* Chukky Okobi
* Emmanuel Acho
* Iheanyi Uwaezuoke
* Ike Ndukwe
* Isaiah Ekejiuba
* Kelechi Osemele
* Kenechi Udeze
* N. D. Kalu
* Nnamdi Asomugha, American football cornerback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League, husband of actress Kerry Washington
* Obed Ariri, American football placekicker in the National Football League
* Osi Umenyiora
* Patrick Chukwurah
* Tony Ugoh
* Victor Abiamiri, Defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League

### Canadian football players

| Name | Born | Death | Notability | Reference |
| Uzooma Okeke | 3 September 1970 | – | Canadian Football League tackle for the Montreal Alouettes. | |

### Athletes

| Name | Born | Death | Notability |
| 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 | – | |
| 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 |
| Emmanuel Okoli | 13 November 1973 | – | |
| Marilyn Okoro | 23 September 1984 | – | |
| Christy Opara-Thompson | 24 December 1971 | – | |
| Charity Opara | 20 May 1972 | – | |
| Emeka Udechuku | 10 July 1979 | – | |
| Chima Ugwu | 19 July 1973 | – | |

### Basketball players

| Name | Born | Death | Notability |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Kelenna Azubuike | 16 December 1983 | – | |
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo | 18 July 1992 | – | |
| Kostas Antetokounmpo | 20 November 1997 | – | |
| Ike Diogu | 11 September 1983 | – | |
| 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 | – | |
| Daniel Okonkwo | 1975 | – | |
| Ime Udoka | 9 August 1977 | – | |
| Mfon Udoka | 16 June 1976 | – | |

### Boxers

| Name | Born | Death | Notability |
| 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). |

### Footballers

| Name | Born | Death | Notability |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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 | – | |
| 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 | – | |
| 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 | _ |

### Rugby

* Martin Offiah

### Martial arts

| 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 | – | |

## Religion

* Agnes Okoh (1905-1995), Founder of Christ Holy Church International, African Independent Church in Nigeria
* Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi (1903-1964), beatified by Pope Benedict XVI
* Francis Arinze, Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church
* Peter Ebere Okpaleke, Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church
* Lazarus Muoka
* Uma Ukpai
* T.D. Jakes
* Valerian Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province
* William Drew Robeson I (1844-1918), father of Paul Robeson and the minister of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey from 1880 to 1901
* William Napoleon Barleycorn (1884-1925), Spanish Guinean Primitive Methodist missionary and author of the first Bube language primer. He was a member of a prominent Fernandino family