People
Wole Soyinka
Abeokuta, Nigeria
Born in Abeokuta, he became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1986, with plays and poems rooted in Yoruba tradition.
Born: 1934 · Known for: Playwright, Nobel laureate
Nigeria: leaders, famous people, culture and history
7 places on the atlas covering people, language and crafts. Highlights include Wole Soyinka, Yoruba and Benin Bronzes.
See Nigeria on the map Etiquette guide
What is on the atlas
- People Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Fela Kuti and Burna Boy
- Language Yoruba and Hausa
- Crafts Benin Bronzes
Who leads Nigeria?
| President (head of state and government) | Bola Tinubu |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Nigeria’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Nigeria
- Chinua Achebe novelist
- Wole Soyinka Nobel-winning writer
- Fela Kuti musician
- Nnamdi Azikiwe first president
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie novelist
- Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti campaigner for women's rights
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala economist, WTO Director-General
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
Etiquette tips for Nigeria
- Greeting Greetings are important and unhurried. Greet elders first and use titles. Handshakes may include a slight bow.
- Dining Eat and pass items with your right hand. Hosts are generous; accept at least a little.
- Dress Smart, neat dress is valued. Cover up in conservative areas.
All etiquette tips for Nigeria
People in Nigeria
People
Chinua Achebe
Ogidi, Anambra, Nigeria
His novel Things Fall Apart (1958) tells of Igbo society at the time of colonial contact and is one of the most widely read African books.
Lived: 1930–2013 · Known for: Novelist
People
Fela Kuti
Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
The creator of Afrobeat, he mixed jazz, funk and Yoruba rhythms with fierce political lyrics, and stood up to military rulers.
Lived: 1938–1997 · Known for: Musician and activist
People
Burna Boy
Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
A Grammy-winning artist who helped take Nigerian Afro-fusion to stadium stages around the world.
Born: 1991 · Known for: Afro-fusion singer
Language in Nigeria
Language
Yoruba
Ibadan, Nigeria
A tonal language of southwestern Nigeria, spoken by tens of millions and known for its proverbs, poetry and drum language.
Say hello: Báwo ni · Script: Latin with tone marks
Language
Hausa
Kano, Nigeria
A major trade language of West Africa, spoken as a first or second language by tens of millions of people across the Sahel.
Say hello: Sannu · Script: Latin and Ajami (Arabic-based)
Crafts in Nigeria
Crafts
Benin Bronzes
Benin City, Nigeria
Court artists of the Kingdom of Benin cast detailed brass plaques and heads from the 16th century. Many were taken to Europe in 1897, and calls for their return continue.
Craft: Cast brass plaques and heads
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Nigeria today, a short selection of well-known people from Nigeria, and the 7 places pinned for Nigeria on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Nigeria on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, language page and crafts page.
Questions about Nigeria
Who is the leader of Nigeria?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Bola Tinubu. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Nigeria?
Well-known people connected with Nigeria include Chinua Achebe (novelist), Wole Soyinka (Nobel-winning writer), Fela Kuti (musician), Nnamdi Azikiwe (first president) and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (novelist).
Which famous people from Nigeria are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for Nigeria include Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Fela Kuti and Burna Boy. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What languages and scripts is Nigeria known for?
Language entries for Nigeria on the atlas include Yoruba and Hausa. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What traditional crafts is Nigeria known for?
Traditional crafts from Nigeria on the atlas include Benin Bronzes. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Nigeria on the map?
Choose See Nigeria on the map above, or search for Nigeria on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.
What etiquette should visitors know in Nigeria?
Greeting: Greetings are important and unhurried. Greet elders first and use titles. Handshakes may include a slight bow. Dining: Eat and pass items with your right hand. Hosts are generous; accept at least a little. These are general customs, not legal advice.