10 Celebrities You Probably Didn't Know Were Nigerians (Photos)

10 SOPHIE OKONEDO
: Sophie is a British actress born to Nigerian father, Henry Okonedo and a Jewish mother, Joan nee Allman. Popularly known for her role in top movies such as After Earth, Hotel Rwanda. She also acted in the TV series ‘Doctor Who’. In 1991, she made her acting debut in the British drama, Young Soul Rebels. The Award winning actress, Sophie soaring high in her career was nominated for an Oscar.
In 2010, she was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to drama. Sophie, a graduate of Cambridge University is single mother of one.

9 NNAMDI ASOMUGHA
: Is a former American football cornerback. Born on July 6, 1981 to Nigerian parents from the Igbo tribe. The football star, Asomugha is married to top American actress, Kerry Washington. They welcomed their daughter in April 2014. For many years he was frequently mentioned as one of the best shutdown corners in the National Football League. Meanwhile aside being a football player, Nnamdi is also an actor.


 8 TINIE TEMPAH
  : Tinie Tempah real names Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu is one of the top UK rappers. Born on November 7, 1988 to Nigerian parents from Ibusa, Delta state. Tinie Tempah began his music career in 2005 and he has since carved a niche for himself with several awards to his names. From Brit Award, Nigeria Entertainment Awards to MOBO Awards. In 2014, he won the BET Awards for the Best International Act.
In 2013, Tinie Tempah travelled to his homeland, Nigeria, to play his first ever show in Lagos to thousands of fans. Apparently, Tinnie Tempah has got a thing of fashion, as he is reportedly one of the most stylish men in the music industry.

7 SHIRLEY BASSEY
  : She is a Welsh singer born to Nigerian father, Henry Bassey and English mother, Eliza Jane Start. Born on January 8, 1937. Shirley Bassey is well known for recording the theme songs to the James Bond films Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever.
One of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during her time, she was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to entertainment.


 6 SEAL
  : Seal real names Henry Olusegun Olumide Adelo Samuel is a British singer and songwriter. Born on February 19, 1963 to Nigerian father, Francis Samuel and mother, Adebisi Ogundeji.
He was married to model/TV personality, Heidi Klum for seven years with three kids together before they got separated in 2012. The award winning R n B singer has won four Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award amongst others. Seal has several hit songs which include ‘Kiss from the rose’, ‘Crazy, ‘Killer’, “Lips Like Sugar”.

5 ASHLEY MADEKWE
: Ashely is an English actress born to a Nigerian father and English mother. Ashley is popularly known for her role in the ABC drama series ‘Revenge’. She is married to English actor, Iddo Goldberg.

 4 LEMAR OBIKA
: English R&B singer and song-writer, Lemar Obika, born 4 April 1978 to Nigerian parents of Enugu State The award winning Lemar, although much hasn’t been heard of him of recent released hit songs like Time to Grow, If There’s Any Justice”.
He rose to fame following his position in the third place on the first series of British talent show Fame Academy.

3 CHIWETEL EJIOFOR
: Chiwetel Ejiofor was born on July 10, 1977 to Nigerian father, Arinze and mother, Obiajulu. His father was a doctor and mother, a pharmacist while his younger sister is CNN correspondent Zain Asher.
Chiwetel who has starred in top movies the likes of ’12 Years A Slave’, Half of a Yellow sun’ amongst others was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honors List for his services to drama. He became more popular for his role as a slave in the movie “12 Years A Slave” , receiving the BAFA male acting trophy.

 2: HUGO WEAVING :

Australian-British actor, Hugo Weaving was born on April 4, 1960 in Nigeria. Although not to Nigerian parents but he was actually given birth to in Nigeria, which makes him a Nigerian by birth.
The 54-year-old old Hugo Weaving was born at the University College Hospital in Ibadan. The award winning actor has acted in several blockbusters movies the likes of, The Matrix Trilogy and Lord of The Rings Trilogy, Transformers Trilogy, The Hobbit Trilogy and Captain America.

1 OSITADIMMA UMENYIORA

: Osi is a British- American football player born on November 16, 1981 to Nigerian parents. The award winning football player he is one of three British- born players to have won a Super Bowl ring.
Osi is an outside linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). In July 2014,Osi Umenyiora got married to Miss Universe 2011 , Leila Lopes .