This is a list of notable Yoruba people.
Film and cinema Nollywood Actors and actresses
Writers and directors
Biyi Bandele (1967–2022), novelist, playwright and filmmaker Kemi Adesoye, Peter ijagbemi screenwriter Kemi Adetiba (b. 1980), filmmaker, television director, music video director Kunle Afolayan (b. 1974), actor peter ijagbemi, film producer and director Meji Alabi Oyin Adejobi (1926–2000), dramatist and actor Tomi Adeyemi (b. 1993), Nigerian-American novelist and creative writing coach Tunde Kelani (b. 1948), filmmaker, storyteller, photographer, director and producer
Non-Nollywood
Adelayo Adedayo Adepero Oduye Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Alex Lanipekun Andi Osho Ariyon Bakare Bolaji Badejo Damson Idris David Oyelowo Dayo Okeniyi Femi Emiola Gbemisola Ikumelo Gbenga Akinnagbe Gina Yashere Hakeem Kae-Kazim Isaach de Bankolé John Boyega Kola Bokinni KSI O-T Fagbenle Richard Ayoade Rick Famuyiwa Rotimi Sope Aluko Stephen K. Amos Toks Olagundoye Tosin Cole Wunmi Mosaku
Academics
Akinwumi Ogundiran (b. 1966), archaeologist, historian, anthropologist, author of The Yoruba: A New History Bolaji Akinyemi (b. 1942), Nigerian professor of political science who was Nigeria External Affairs Minister in 1985-1987 Bolanle Awe (b. 1933), Nigerian history professor Christopher Kolade (b. 1932), Nigerian diplomat and academic David Olusoga (b. 1970), British-Nigerian historian, writer, broadcaster, author of Black And British: A Forgotten History Hezekiah Ademola Oluwafemi (1919-1983), Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University from 1966 to 1975 Isaac Folorunso Adewole (b. 1954), Nigerian professor of gynaecology and obstetrics Kofoworola Ademola (1913-2002), educationist, first black African woman to earn a degree from Oxford University Kola Tubosun (b. 1981), linguist, writer, teacher, known for Yoruba Name Project, Nigerian English Google Assistant Lola Akande (b. 1965), academic, author, public relations professional. Olanrewaju Fagbohun (b. 1966), academic, author, investor, professor of environmental law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria Orishatukeh Faduma Oyeronke Oyewumi, sociologist, gender scholar Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe (1949-2021), Nigerian professor of systems engineering, Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos Solomon Babalola Stephen Adebanji Akintoye (b. 1935), academic, historian and writer T.G.O. Gbadamosi (b. 1939), historian, academic and religious leader Toyin Falola (b. 1953), historian and professor of African studies Folahanmi Aina (b. 1984), Nigerian political scientist, international security analyst and researcher
Medicine
Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (1956–2014), physician Babatunde Kwaku Adadevoh (1933–1997), physician, educational administrator, professor of chemical pathology Elizabeth Abimbola Awoliyi (1910–1971), first woman to practise as a physician in Nigeria Joseph Ladapo (b. 1978), Nigerian-American doctor serving as the surgeon general of Florida since 2021 Latunde Odeku (1927–1974), neurosurgeon Olikoye Ransome-Kuti (1927–2003), paediatrician, activist and health minister of Nigeria Oni Akerele (d. 1983), Nigeria's first indigenous surgeon Orisadipe Obasa (1863–1940), doctor and prince
Journalism and the media
Ade Adepitan (b. 1973), Nigerian-born British television presenter and wheelchair basketball player Adeola Fayehun (b. 1984), journalist Abraham Adesanya (1922–2008), Nigerian politician, lawyer, activist, welfarist and liberal progressive Dele Giwa (1947–1986), journalist, editor and founder of Newswatch magazine Dele Momodu (b. 1960), journalist/publisher, businessman and motivational speaker Dotun Adebayo (b. 1960), British radio presenter, writer and publisher Femi Adesina, journalist Femi Oke (b. 1966), British television presenter and journalist Henry Dele Alake Julie Adenuga (b. 1988), British broadcaster, radio host and the creator of 'Don't Trust The Internet' Kayode Soyinka Kehinde Bankole (b. 1985), actress, model and television host Kitoye Ajasa (1866–1937), Nigerian lawyer and legislator during the colonial period, first Nigerian to be knighted Laolu Akande Laura Ikeji Mosunmola Abudu (b. 1964), Nigerian media mogul and philanthropist Oluremi Oyo (1952-2014), Nigerian veteran journalist Omoyele Sowore (b. 1971), Nigerian human rights activist, founder of an online news agency Sahara Reporters Reuben Abati (b. 1965), journalist, politician, television anchor and newspaper columnist Seun Osewa (b. 1982), Nigerian internet entrepreneur Tolu Ogunlesi (b. 1982), Nigerian journalist, poet, photographer, fiction writer and blogger Yinka Bokinni (b. 1989), British radio and television presenter
Visual arts Artists
Laolu Senbanjo (b. 1982), Nigerian visual artist, musician, singer/songwriter and former human rights attorney Aina Onabolu (1882–1963), pioneering Nigerian modern arts teacher and painter Ibiyinka Alao (b. 1975), Nigerian American artist, architect, writer, film director and musical theater composer Kehinde Wiley Nike Davies-Okundaye (b. 1951), Nigerian batik and adire textile designer Olowe of Ise (c. 1873 – c. 1938), wood sculptor Yusuf Grillo (1934-2021), Nigerian painter
Photography
Bayo Omoboriowo (b. 1987), Nigerian photojournalist and documentary photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström. photographer and travel writer Rotimi Fani-Kayode (1955–1989), Nigerian-born photographer TY Bello
Politics and administration Politics
Adebayo Salami (1951–2021), Senator, chieftain of All Progressives Congress Adekunle Fajuyi (1926–1966), first military governor of Western Region, Nigeria Ademola Adeleke Adeyemo Alakija (1884–1952), lawyer, politician, businessman, president of Egbe Omo Oduduwa Akinwunmi Ambode (b. 1963), Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria from 2015 to 2019 Ayodele Fayose (b. 1960), Governor of Ekiti State Babajide Sanwo-Olu (b. 1965), Governor of Lagos State from 2019 Babalola Borisade (1946–2017), Federal Minister of Nigeria Babatunde Fashola (b. 1963), lawyer and politician, former Governor of Lagos State Benjamin Adekunle (1936–2014), Nigerian Army Brigadier Bola Ige (1930–2001), lawyer and politician Bola Tinubu (b. 1952), President of Nigeria and national leader of All Progressives Congress Bukola Saraki (b. 1962), 13th President of the Senate of Nigeria Christopher Omoworare Babajide (b. 1968), Nigerian politician Desmond Elliot (b. 1974), Nigerian actor, director and politician Dolapo Osinbajo Dipo Dina (1960–2010), politician, philanthropist, administrator Ernest Shonekan (1936-2022), Nigerian lawyer and statesman Femi Fani-Kayode (b. 1960), Nigerian politician, essayist, poet and lawyer Femi Gbaja Biamila (b. 1962), Nigerian lawyer Femi Hamzat (b. 1964), Nigerian politician Folorunsho Coker (b 1965) Nigerian politician Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (b. 1952), Nigerian senator and retired custom officer Frederick Fasehun (1935–2018), Nigerian medical doctor, hotel owner and politician Funsho Williams (1948–2006), politician from Lagos State Gbenga Daniel (b. 1956), Nigerian politician, Governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011 Gboyega Oyetola (b. 1954), 9th Governor of Osun State Herbert Macaulay (1864–1946), Nigerian nationalist, politician, surveyor, engineer, architect, journalist and musician Ibikunle Amosun (b. 1958), Nigerian politician, Governor of Ogun State from 2011 to 2019 Joseph Fadahunsi Kayode Fayemi (b. 1935), Nigerian politician, Governor of Ekiti State Kofo Abayomi (1896–1979), Nigerian ophthalmologist and politician Lawan Gwadabe (b. 1949), Military Administrator of Niger State from 1987 to 1992 Lola Young M.K.O. Abiola Mudashiru Obasa Nicolas Grunitzky Oladipo Diya Obafemi Awolowo Olu Falae Oluremi Tinubu Olusegun Aganga Olusegun Mimiko Olusegun Obasanjo Olusegun Oni Yemi Osinbajo Oyinkansola Abayomi Rauf Aregbesola Rotimi Akeredolu Samuel Akintola Seyi Makinde Thomas Boni Yayi Alhaji Abdul Azeez Kolawole Adeyemo Tunde Idiagbon Bode Thomas Rotimi Akeredolu Olusegun Mimiko Victor Adebowale (b. 1962), People's peer, current chair of the NHS Confederation Yemi Osinbajo (b. 1957), Nigerian lawyer and politician, Vice-President of Nigeria since 2015 Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, officer of the Nigerian Army, Governor of Western Region
Administration Akinwumi Adesina (b. 1960), President of African Development Bank since 2015 Joseph Oladele Sanusi (b. 1938), Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 1999 to 2004 Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu (b. 1960), fifth President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization Oye Owolewa (b. 1989), Nigerian-American pharmacist and politician Kemi Badenoch (b. 1980), Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Wally Adeyemo (b. 1981), Deputy Treasury Secretary, United States of America
African diaspora
Brazil
Cândido da Fonseca Galvão (1845-1890), military officer and nobleman Osifekunde Pacifico Licutan
Canada Thomas Peters
Cuba
Carlota (d. in battle in 1844), one of the leaders of the slave rebellion in the Triunvirato plantation José Antonio Aponte (c. 1760 - 1812), leader of the Aponte conspiracy Miguel "Angá" Díaz (1961 - 2006), musician María Magdalena Campos Pons, artist based in the United States Manuel Mendive, artist
Suriname Johannes Alabi
Trinidad and Tobago Victor Pascall (1886–1930), cricketer
United States
Oluwale Kossola (Cudjoe Lewis) Matilda McCrear Redoshi (Sally Smith) Scipio Vaughan (1784-1840), artisan and slave, inspired Back-to-Africa movement
Aristocrats Monarchs
Abdul-Lateef Adeniran Akanni Ojikutujoye I (b. 1958), Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II (1950–2013), traditional ruler of the Akure Kingdom Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III (b. 1943), Alake of Egbaland Adeniji Adele (1893–1964), Oba of Lagos Adesoji Aderemi (1889–1980), Ooni of Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (b. 1974), Ooni of Ile-Ife Adeyinka Oyekan (1911–2003), second Christian Oba of Lagos Ajaka, Oyo Emperor Ajimudaoro Aladesanmi I (r. 1886–1910), Ewi of Ado Ekiti Daniel Aladesanmi II (1902–1983), Ewi of Ado Ekiti Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III (1941–2019) Fredrick Kumokun Adedeji Haastrup (1820–1901), Oba Obokun of Ilesa, first Christian Oba of Yorubaland Ladapo Ademola (1872–1962), Alake of Abeokuta Lamidi Adeyemi (b. 1938–2022), Alaafin of Oyo Moremi Ajasoro (12th century), legendary queen and folk heroine of the Yoruba people Oba, Orisha of the river Oba Oduduwa, divine king, according to tradition, first Ooni of Ife (r. c. 1100 AD), ancestor of many dynasties Olagbegi Atanneye I (r. 1913–1938), paramaunt ruler of Owo Kingdom Olagbegi Atanneye II Olateru Olagbegi I (r. 1913–1938) Olateru Olagbegi II (1910–1998) Olubuse II (1930–2015), traditional ruler of Ife Oranyan, legendary founder of Oyo Orompoto (16th century), female Alaafin of Oyo Oshun Osupa Oya Oyekan I Rilwan Akiolu Rufus Aladesanmi III Samuel Akinsanya Shango Sikiru Kayode Adetona (b. 1934), Awujale of the Ijebu Kingdom
Chiefs and princes
Abibatu Mogaji (1916–2013), business magnate Abiola Dosunmu Adeniran Ogunsanya Afe Babalola Bisoye Tejuoso Christopher Sapara Williams Efunroye Tinubu Efunsetan Aniwura (c. 1820s - 1874), second Iyalode of Ibadan, slavetrader G.B.A. Coker, (1917-1991), Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria Gaha (fl. 18 century), leader of the military in the Oyo Empire Gani Adams (b. 1970), activist, politician and the 15th Aare Ono Kakanfo of Yorubaland Henry Fajemirokun, (1926-1978), trade unionist, industrialist and philanthropist H.O. Davies (1905-1989), lawyer, journalist, trade unionist, thought leader and politician John Otunba Payne (1839–1906), Nigerian sheriff, administrator and diarist MKO Abiola Moses Majekodunmi Oluyole Oguntola Sapara Richard Akinjide Roseline Osipitan Sarah Forbes Bonetta Sunday Igboho