Funke Akindele, Asake…8 other celebrities from Lagos State

In this post, News360 Nigeria enumerates  top 10 Nigerian celebrities who hail from Lagos State.

Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, is a dynamic center of culture, music, and entrepreneurship, brimming with opportunities for growth and exploration for everyone.

From its lively markets to its rich cultural heritage, Lagos is a city that never sleeps, offering something new and exciting around every corner.

As Nigeria’s most populous city, Lagos boasts a diverse population of over 21 million people from various ethnic backgrounds. Once the nation’s capital, it held this status until Abuja took over.

Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, serves as a major financial hub in Africa and is integral to Nigeria’s economy. It hosts the headquarters of leading financial institutions and multinational companies.

The city significantly influences commerce, entertainment, technology, education, politics, tourism, art, and fashion across Africa. Notably, it ranks among the top ten fastest-growing cities in the world.

One of Lagos’s defining characteristics is its notorious traffic congestion, which can consume hours from people’s schedules. However, ongoing efforts are being made to enhance transportation infrastructure and ease this issue.

Additionally, Lagos is home to the Yoruba-speaking people of Nigeria. The state is not only equipped with well-developed infrastructure but also boasts a vibrant and energetic populace excelling in various fields.

Below is a list of notable individuals who hail from Lagos State.

1. Desmond Elliot

Desmond Oluwashola Elliot is a Nollywood actor, director and Politician who hails from Olowogbowo in Lagos State.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Lagos State University, he was born on 4th February, 1974.

He once represented the Surulere Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly and has been an ambassador for the Face of Hope Project.

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.

2. Funke Akindele

Popularly known as Jenifa, Funke Akindele was born on 24th August, 1977 in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

She is a successful Nollywood actress, producer and who is famous for her comic roles movies which have earned her awards such as accolades and recognitions.

She holds 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.

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.

3. Banky W

Olubankole Wellington, better known as Banky W is renowned 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 studied at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, US on a scholarship.

He released a début studio album, Back in the Building, in 2005 and also 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.

4. Wizkid

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, famously known as Wizkid is another successful singer and songwriter from Lagos State.

He was born in Surulere, Lagos State into an interfaith home on 16th July, 1990.

He garnered fame 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.

5. Asake

Ahmed Ololade, better known as Asake is an afropop singer from Lagos State, born on 13th January, 1995.

He is a graduate of Theatre and Dramatic Arts from the Obafemi Awolowo University.

He entered the music scene 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.

6. Korede Bello

Korede Bello is another singer and songwriter from Lagos State.

He is best known for his hit song, “Godwin”, a semi-gospel and pop song which gained critical acclaim, ranking on several music charts platforms 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 was awarded a Gold Certification Award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his hit single “Do Like That”.

7. Tiwa Savage

Tiwatope Savage is a native of Isale in Ekong Lagos State, born on 5th February, 1980.

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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya is a 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.