In this post, platinumtimes.ng highlights top 10 notable Celebrities who are indigenes of Lagos State.
Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, is a vibrant hub of culture, music, and entrepreneurship, offering endless opportunities for growth and exploration to all and sundry.
Ranging from its bustling markets to its rich cultural heritage, Lagos is a city that never sleeps, with something new and exciting to discover at every turn.
Lagos takes the spot as Nigeria’s most populous city with a population of over 21 million people of diverse ethnicities.
It was formerly the national capital city of Nigeria before Abuja took its place.
Its capital city, Ikeja is a major African financial centre and the economic hub of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
It houses headquarters of top financial institutions and multinational companies in Nigeria.
The city has a significant influence on commerce, entertainment, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, and fashion in Africa.
The state is listed among the top ten of the world’s fastest-growing cities and urban areas.
One notable feature about this city is its unending traffic congestion which can take hours from a person’s schedule.
However, efforts are being made to improve transportation infrastructure and alleviate this congestion.
The state is also known to be the home of the Yoruba speaking people in Nigeria.
The state is not only blessed with well developed infrastructures, it is also blessed with vibrant and energetic people who have excelled in the diverse field of endeavor.
Below is a rundown of notable personalities who are natives of Lagos State.
Summary of Celebrities who hail from Lagos State
- Funke Akindele
- Desmond Elliot
- Wizkid
- Asake
- Banky W
- Tiwa Savage
- Simi
- Bimbo Ademoye
- Korede Bello
- Israel Adesanya
Funke Akindele
Born on 24th August, 1977 in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Funke Akindele popularly known as Jenifa is a successful Nollywood actress, producer and director from Lagos State.
She is famous for taking comic roles in most of her movies which have earned her awards such as Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 and 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award.
She is recorded as the second director whose movie, ” A tribe called Judah”to grossed over a billion naira at the Nigeria box office and currently the Highest grossing Nigerian Director in Nigerian Box Office with a total Gross of over ₦2.9 billion.
She has an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now known as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos.
Desmond Elliot
Desmond Oluwashola Elliot is a Nollywood actor, director and Politician from Olowogbowo in Lagos State.
He was born on 4th February, 1974 and has a degree in Economics from the Lagos State University.
He was once elected as a lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency in 2015.
He won the best supporting actor in a drama at the 2nd Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and was nominated for best supporting actor at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards.
He was also an ambassador for the Face of Hope Project.
Wizkid
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, famously known as Wizkid is Nigerian singer and songwriter who is a native of Lagos State.
He was born in Surulere, Lagos State into a interfaith home on 16th July, 1990.
He became famous after he released the song “Holla at Your Boy”, the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles “Tease Me/Bad Guys” and “Don’t Dull”.
He has received several music awards such as two Soul Train Music Awards, a NAACP Image Award, a BET Awards, and his first Grammy Award, for Best Music Video.
He has also been a be ambassador for Glo, MTN, Guinness and Pepsi.
Asake
Ahmed Ololade, better known as Asake is an afropop singer from Lagos State.
He was born on 13th January, 1995 and studied Theatre and Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University.
He began releasing music in 2017, and his career took off in 2022 with the single “Mr. Money”, followed by a remix with Zlatan and Peruzzi.
He won the Break Out Artist of the Year award at the 2022 All Africa Music Awards, and was nominated as the Best African Music Act at the 2022 MOBO Awards.
Banky W
Olubankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W is prominent singer, actor, entrepreneur and politician from Lagos State.
He was born on March 27th, 1981 in the United States to Nigerian parents of Yoruba descent.
He schooled at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, US on a scholarship.
He released a début studio album, Back in the Building, in 2005.
His début single was Ebute Metta. He wrote the first theme song of Etisalat Nigeria titled “0809ja for life”.
He is married to Adesua Etomi, a seasoned actress and model, their union is blessed with a son.
Tiwa Savage
Tiwatope Savage was born on 5th February, 1980 in Isale Eko, Lagos State.
She is a successful singer, songwriter and actress who sings in English and Yoruba fluently.
She began her music career doing backup vocals for artists such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige and since then has released several songs which have earned her awards such as the Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Simi
Born in Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos State on 19th April 1988, Simi is another seasoned singer who hails from Lagos State.
She is a graduate of the Covenant University, where she earned a degree in mass communication.
She was among the top judges in season 7 of the Nigerian idol TV show in 2022.
She owns a record label to her name called Studio Brat.
She became popular in 2014 after releasing “Tiff”, a song that was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015.
Bimbo Ademoye
Bimbo Ademoye is a Nollywood actress and social media influencer from Lagos State.
She was born on 4th February, 1991 and is a graduate of the Covenant University.
She won Best Actress in a Comedy/TV series at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for her role in the film Selina.
She is best described as a celebrity style icon on several social media platforms.
Korede Bello
Korede Bello is a singer and songwriter from Lagos State.
He is best known for his hit song, “Godwin”, a semi-gospel and pop song which became a national anthem and topped many music charts across Nigeria.
He was born on 29th February, 1996 and he is a graduate of Mass Communication at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, he also has a Higher National Diploma certificate.
He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Information Management.
He has received a Gold Certification Award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his hit single “Do Like That”.
Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya is a professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer from Lagos State.
He currently competes in the Middleweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion.
In kickboxing, he is a former Glory Middleweight Championship title challenger.
He attended the Universal College of Learning in Whanganui where he studied Computer Design.