First elected Governor of Ekiti State from 1999 to 2003 and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.
Ekiti State • Notable People
Famous & Notable People from Ekiti State
11 remarkable individuals across politics, business, entertainment, sports, arts, law, and activism — people who shaped Ekiti State, Nigeria, and the world.
11Notable people
5Categories
9Living
2Deceased
Politics & Government (5)
Governor of Ekiti State from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2014 to 2018; prominent Peoples Democratic Party politician.
Governor of Ekiti State from 2010 to 2014 and 2018 to 2022; former Minister of Mines and Steel Development and former President of the Nigerian Governors' Forum.
Governor of Ekiti State from 2007 to 2010 and former prominent Peoples Democratic Party and Social Democratic Party politician.
Governor of Ekiti State since 2022 and a prominent political figure in the state.
Other (3)
Senior Nigerian lawyer, founder of Afe Babalola University and prominent educationist and legal scholar associated with Ekiti State.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, prominent constitutional lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and prominent human-rights lawyer and activist with deep professional and family connections to Ekiti.
Military (1)
Military officer and first Military Governor of the Western Region; remembered for his role during the July 1966 coup and his death alongside Head of State Aguiyi Ironsi.
Religion (1)
Nigerian Christian evangelist and one of the founding spiritual figures of the Christ Apostolic Church movement; strongly associated with Efon-Alaaye.
Entertainment & Music (1)
Nigerian gospel musician, broadcaster and media entrepreneur associated with Ekiti State.
About Ekiti State's Notable People
Ekiti State has produced some of Nigeria's — and Africa's — most celebrated figures across every field of human endeavour. The 11 people documented on this page represent a cross-section of the individuals who have made Ekiti State a source of national pride.
How Notable People Are Selected
The people listed on this page are selected based on their national or international recognition, the significance of their contributions to their field, and their documented connection to Ekiti State through birth, origin, or long-term residence. The list is not exhaustive — Ekiti State has produced many more remarkable people than can be documented in a single page.
About Ekiti State
To learn more about the state that produced these notable individuals, visit the full history of Ekiti State, including its pre-colonial kingdoms, colonial history, and modern era. See also the list of Ekiti State governors and the local government areas of Ekiti State.
Frequently Asked Questions — People from Ekiti State
Who are the most famous people from Ekiti State?
Ekiti State has produced 11 widely recognised notable people across various fields. Among the most famous are: Adekunle Fajuyi, Afe Babalola, Niyi Adebayo, Ayo Fayose, Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni, Biodun Oyebanji, Joseph Ayo Babalola, and many others.
Which musicians are from Ekiti State?
Notable musicians and entertainers from Ekiti State include: Yinka Ayefele.
Which politicians are from Ekiti State?
Notable politicians from Ekiti State include: Niyi Adebayo, Ayo Fayose, Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni, Biodun Oyebanji.
Which business people are from Ekiti State?
Ekiti State has produced many prominent Nigerian business leaders.
Which athletes are from Ekiti State?
Ekiti State has produced several prominent Nigerian athletes.
How many notable people has Ekiti State produced?
Ekiti State has produced at least 11 widely recognised notable people documented on this page. They span 5 categories including politics & government, other, military, religion, and more.