The following is a list of notable people who were born in Rivers State, lived in Rivers State, or for whom Rivers State is a significant part of their identity.
A
George Abbey (born 1978), soccer player Magnus Ngei Abe (born 1965), lawyer and senator of the Federal Republic (2015–2019) Zacchaeus Adangor, Attorney General of Rivers State Echendu Adiele (1978–2011), soccer player Emmanuel C. Aguma, former attorney general of Rivers State (2015v2019) Friday Ahunanya (born 1971), world heavyweight champion and boxer Joseph Ajienka (born 1955), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt Henry Ajumogobia (born 1956), Attorney General, Commissioner of Justice Claude Ake (1939–1996), political scientist Godspower Ake (1940–2016), legislator Wilson Asinobi Ake (born 1955), Nigerian Senator from Rivers State Mercy Akide (born 1975), former soccer player Diezani Alison-Madueke (born 1960), former minister of Petroleum Resources (2010–2015), Mines and Steel (2008–2010) and Transport (2007–2008) Mactabene Amachree (born 1978), basketball player Otelemaba Amachree (born 1963), former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and Group Chairman of Big Ross Int’l. LTD Elechi Amadi (1934–2016), author, speaker Okey Amadi, MHA Chibuike Amaechi (born 1965), Governor of Rivers State Thankgod Amaefule (born 1984), soccer player Martins Amaewhule, speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly Chika Amalaha (born 1997), weightlifter Betty Apiafi (born 1962), economist, retired banker, school teacher Pere Ariweriyai (born 1983), soccer player Napoleon Ashley-Lassen (born 1934), Chief of the Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces Tamunosiki Atorudibo (born 1985), athlete Izu Azuka (born 1989), soccer player
B
Ipalibo Banigo (born 1952), medical doctor; first female senator and Deputy Governor of Rivers State Herbert Bankole-Bright (1883–1958), politician Innocent Barikor, academic and politician A. Igoni Barrett (born 1979), writer John Bazia, politician Bella Bell-Gam (born 1956), pentathlete Ngeri Benebo (born 1955), medical doctor Amaopusenibo Siminalayi "Sim" Joseph Black-Fubara (born 1979), Executive Governor, Rivers State Andre Blaze (born 1983), rapper, reality talent show host Worgu Boms (born 1968), Commissioner of Justice Ann-Kio Briggs (born 1952), activist Nimi Briggs (born 1944), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt Roseberry Briggs (1925–2013), Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, Rivers State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism
C
Sokari Douglas Camp (born 1958), artist Michael O. Chinda, Member of the House of Assembly Monalisa Chinda (born 1974), actress Mercy Chinwo, singer, actress Tonye Cole (born 1967), businessman Andrea Cossu (born 1984), soccer player Noah Arthur William Cox-George (1915–2004), economist and academic
D
Adams Dabotorudima, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Diminas Dagogo, film director Reynolds Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack (born 1957), politician Samuel Dagogo-Jack (born 1954), medical doctor, Sumner Dagogo-Jack (born 1930), civil servant Harold Dappa-Biriye (born 1920), politician Agbani Darego (born 1982), first black woman from Africa to win Miss World George Datoru (born 1978), soccer player Tam David-West (1936–2019), academic and former federal minister Sam Dede, actor and politician Blessing Didia, medical doctor Tonto Dikeh (born 1985), actress and singer Duncan Dokiwari (born 1973), boxer Hilda Dokubo, actress Eddy Lord Dombraye (born 1979), soccer player
E Kaniye Ebeku (born 1961), Commissioner for Education, lawyer Ngozi Ebere (born 1991), soccer player Emmanuel Ebiede (born 1978), soccer player Frank Eke (1931–2013), Deputy Governor of Rivers State Obinna Ekezie (born 1975), basketball player Boniface S. Emerengwa, lawyer Tamara Eteimo (born 1987), actress and singer Sam Sam Etetegwung, politician and lawmaker Dino Eze (born 1984), soccer player Victor Ezeji (born 1981), soccer player Sandra Ezekwesili (born 1989), radio personality Chinedu Ezimora (born 1985), soccer player
F Ibinabo Fiberesima (born 1973), actress Tam Fiofori (born 1942), writer, photographer Samuel Francis (born 1987), athlete Iyenemi Furo (born 1978), soccer player
G
Muma Gee (born 1978), singer and actress Finidi George (born 1971), retired soccer player Odeni George (born 1995), soccer player Rose A. George (1946–2010), First Lady of Rivers State Rufus Ada George (born 1940), Governor of Rivers State Manuela George-Izunwa (born 1974), co-senior pastor of Gateway Church, lawyer, former commissioner of women affa5irs, Rivers State Alabo George Kelly, politician and surveyor Rufus Godwins, lawyer and civil servant Alabo Graham-Douglas (born 1939), Senior Advocate of Nigeria Bikiya Graham-Douglas (born 1983), actress and businesswoman Damiete Charles Granville (born 1988), model J. A. Green (1873–1905), photographer Rosemund Dienye Green-Osahogulu (born 1956), vice-chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education
H Princess Halliday, television personality Kelsey Harrison (born 1934), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt Marshal Sokari Harry, politician Albert Horsfall (born 1941), former security chief Herbert Onyewumbu Wigwe, (15 August 1966 – 9 February 2024), former Access Bank CEO
I
Lady IB, singer Ikuinyi O. Ibani, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Christian Ibeagha (born 1990), soccer player John Ibeh (born 1986), soccer player Tonye Ibiama (born 1974), businessman Bernie Ibini-Isei (born 1992), soccer player David Ibiyeomie (born 1962), founder of Salvation Ministries Osinakachukwu Ideozu (born 1965), estate surveyor, senator Catherine Uju Ifejika (born 1959), lawyer Chinyere Igwe (born 1965), politician Faith Ikidi (born 1987), soccer player John Ikuru (1877–1947), Okama of Ikuru Town, Andoni Tele Ikuru (born 1966), Deputy Governor of Rivers State Manasseh Ishiaku (born 1983), soccer player
J
Isobo Jack, nightclub owner Major Jack, engineer, leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly Onimim Jacks (born 1961), lawyer Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, lawmaker Nasigba John-Jumbo (born 1988), soccer player Patience Jonathan (born 1957), First Lady of Nigeria Oko Jumbo, King of Bonny
K Isaac Kamalu, Commissioner of Finance, legal practitioner Ignatius Kattey (born 1948), Archbishop, Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria Kenneth Kobani, Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment Roseline Konya, professor Fred Kpakol, chairman of Gokana Local Government Council Magnus L. Kpakol (born 1934), former chief economic adviser to Nigerian president Jonathan George T. Kurubo (1934–2000), former ambassador to Soviet Union
L Ndowa N Lale, academic and publisher Obafemi Lasode (born 1955), actor Rex Lawson (1935–1971), musician Omah Lay, musician Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs (1930–2018), Nigerian statesman and businessman Sam Ledor (born 1986), soccer player Lyrikal (born 1983), rapper
M
M-Trill (born 1979), rapper Davis Mac-Iyalla (born 1972), activist Chiamaka Madu (born 1996), soccer player Prince Eze Madumere (born 1964), former Deputy Governor, Imo State Lee Ledogo Maeba (born 1966), politician Martyns Mannah (born 1975), member of the House of Assembly Rosemary Marcus, cyclist Ibiapuye Martyns-Yellowe (born 1945), politician Maud Meyer, jazz singer Duncan Wene Mighty (born 1983), musician Kenneth Minimah (born 1959), Chief of Army Staff Oliver Mobisson (1943–2010), activist Barry Mpigi (born 1961), Senator Rivers East
N Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele (born 1963), academic Otonti Amadi Nduka (born 1926), dean of education at the University of Port Harcourt Jerry Needam (born 1966), journalist, newspaper publisher and politician Martin Newland (born 1961), journalist and executive director Peter Nieketien (born 1968), former soccer player Chimaroke Nnamani (born 1960), politician Ike Nwachukwu (born 1940), politician Chidi Nwanu (born 1967), soccer player Olaka Nwogu (born 1965), retired civil servant, and senator David Nwolokor (born 1996), soccer player Chibudom Nwuche, politician Ogbonna Nwuke (born 1959), journalist Benji Nzeakor (born 1964), retired soccer player
O
Philip Obele (born 1958), king of Eleme Saint Obi (1965–2023), actor Felix A. Obuah, businessman and politician Chidi Odiah (born 1983), soccer player Glory Odiase (born 1993), cyclist Mary Odili (born 1952), former First Lady of Rivers State, and Justice of the Supreme Court (retired) Peter Odili (born 1948), Governor of Rivers State doctor, founder of Pamo University of Health Sciences Walter Ofonagoro (born 1940), scholar, businessman King Otuo Ogbalakon (1772–1846), Andoni warrior king Clem Ohameze (born 1965), actor Emmanuel Okah, lawyer Daisy W. Okocha (born 1951), former Justice of the Rivers State High Court Agnes Okoh, founder of Christ Holy Church International Otonyetarie Okoye, civil servant Chinelo Okparanta (born 1981), writer Aaron Samuel Olanare (born 1994), soccer player Celestine Omehia (born 1959), Governor of Rivers State Emeka Onowu (born 1984), political leader Jimitota Onoyume, journalist Elkanah Onyeali (1939–2008), soccer player Daniel Onyekachi (born 1985), soccer player Austin Opara (born 1963), member of the House of Representatives Yvonne Orji (born 1983), actress Kelechi Osunwa (born 1984), soccer player Felicity Okpete Ovai (born 1961), engineer Frank Owhor (born 1958), Attorney General of Rivers State, Federal Commissioner for RMAFC Richard Daddy Owubokiri (born 1961), retired soccer player Ukel Oyaghiri (born 1964), lawyer, politician Boma Ozobia, lawyer
P
Adawari Pepple, politician George Oruigbiji Pepple (1849–1888), King of Bonny Atedo Peterside (born 1955), entrepreneur, investment banker, and economist, Dakuku Peterside (born 1970), businessman, former DG of NIMASA Tonye Princewill (born 1969), businessman and politician
S Ken Saro-Wiwa (1941–1995), writer and activist Zina Saro-Wiwa (born 1976), video artist and filmmaker Uche Secondus (born 1955), businessman, political figure George Thompson Sekibo (born 1957), Nigerian senator from Rivers State Precious Sekibo (born 1958), doctor and politician Jesse Sekidika (born 1996), soccer player Uchechi Sunday (born 1994), soccer player
T Marco Tagbajumi (born 1988), soccer player Austin Tam-George, communication and industrial relations specialist Tekena Tamuno (1932–2015), historian Cleopatra Tawo, radio personality Odagme Theophilus (born 1974), medical doctor Elsie Nwanwuri Thompson, lawyer Timaya (born 1977), singer Gabriel Toby, Deputy Governor of Rivers State Nwankwo Tochukwu (born 1986), soccer player Hector Tubonemi (born 1988), soccer player
U
Andrew Uchendu, federal lawmaker Colin Udoh, journalist and sports television presenter Innocent Umezulike (1953–2018), judge Mary Uranta, actress and businesswoman Marshall Stanley Uwom (born 1965), lawyer and businessman
W
Waconzy (born 1983), singer, songwriter Rena Wakama, basketball coach Adewale Wahab (born 1984), soccer player Obi Wali (1932–1993), activist Okey Wali (born 1958), president of the Nigerian Bar Association Ezekiel Warigbani, youth advocate, politician Taribo West (born 1974), soccer player Eberechi Wike (born 1972), First Lady of Rivers State Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (born 1967), Governor of Rivers State Tasie Wike, lawyer Kay Williamson (1935–2005), linguist Jim Wiwa (1904–2005), chief of the Ogoni people Owens Wiwa (born 1957), medical doctor and human rights activist Chukwuemeka Woke, chief of staff, Rivers State Government; former chairman of Emohua
Y Albert Yobo (born 1979), soccer player Joseph Yobo (born 1980), soccer player
See also List of people from Port Harcourt
References