Nigerian nationalist, political leader and former Premier of the Western Region who played a major role in the development of education and social programmes in western Nigeria.
Oyo State • Notable People
Famous & Notable People from Oyo State
14 remarkable individuals across politics, business, entertainment, sports, arts, law, and activism — people who shaped Oyo State, Nigeria, and the world.
14Notable people
5Categories
4Living
10Deceased
Politics & Government (8)
Premier of the Western Region and prominent Nigerian politician. LAUTECH was named partly in his honour.
First President of Nigeria and major nationalist figure who was associated with the University of Ibadan as Chancellor.
Governor of Oyo State from 1999 to 2003 and prominent Nigerian politician.
Former Governor of Oyo State and prominent Nigerian politician.
Former Governor of Oyo State and senior public figure from Ogbomoso.
Governor of Oyo State from 2011 to 2019 and former senator.
Businessman, engineer and Governor of Oyo State since 2019.
Other (3)
Nigerian playwright, poet, essayist and the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature.
Celebrated Nigerian novelist and author of Things Fall Apart who spent part of his academic career at the University of Ibadan.
Nigerian writer, broadcaster, poet, actor and Yoruba-language scholar.
Business & Finance (1)
Nigerian businessman, industrialist and philanthropist associated strongly with Ibadan and Oyo State.
Arts & Literature (1)
American contemporary portrait artist with Yoruba heritage and Nigerian family connections.
Sports (1)
Legendary Nigerian football striker and the country's all-time leading international goal scorer for many years.
About Oyo State's Notable People
Oyo State has produced some of Nigeria's — and Africa's — most celebrated figures across every field of human endeavour. The 14 people documented on this page represent a cross-section of the individuals who have made Oyo 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 Oyo State through birth, origin, or long-term residence. The list is not exhaustive — Oyo State has produced many more remarkable people than can be documented in a single page.
About Oyo State
To learn more about the state that produced these notable individuals, visit the full history of Oyo State, including its pre-colonial kingdoms, colonial history, and modern era. See also the list of Oyo State governors and the local government areas of Oyo State.
Frequently Asked Questions — People from Oyo State
Who are the most famous people from Oyo State?
Oyo State has produced 14 widely recognised notable people across various fields. Among the most famous are: Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kola Daisi, Lamidi Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja, and many others.
Which musicians are from Oyo State?
Oyo State has produced many celebrated musicians in Nigeria's entertainment industry.
Which politicians are from Oyo State?
Notable politicians from Oyo State include: Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Lamidi Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja, Christopher Alao-Akala.
Which business people are from Oyo State?
Notable business leaders from Oyo State include: Kola Daisi.
Which athletes are from Oyo State?
Notable athletes from Oyo State include: Rasheed Yekini.
How many notable people has Oyo State produced?
Oyo State has produced at least 14 widely recognised notable people documented on this page. They span 5 categories including politics & government, other, business & finance, arts & literature, and more.