#nigerians

Nollywood is enjoying a strong year at the box office, led by Dammy Twitch’s Call of My Life, which has crossed ₦628 million in earnings. Here are the five highest-grossing Nigerian movies of 2026 so far and what made audiences flock to cinemas.

Martha Jesuleke is doing far more than teaching Biology. Through educational technology, climate advocacy and student mentorship, she is helping young Nigerians become scientists, innovators and environmental leaders.

Raheema Auwal-Panti founded PantiPads in 2025 after realising that conventional pads contain up to 90% plastic and take hundreds of years to decompose, while her region’s cassava processing industry generates exactly the kind of biomass waste that could replace them. Her project has now been shortlisted among 35 global teams for the 2026 Earth Prize.

Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby has added another global milestone to her remarkable career after creating the first official portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, continuing her family’s legacy of excellence and impact.

A delayed NYSC programme led Yinka Atunde down an unexpected path, from studying Computer Science to reviving Nigeria’s forgotten footwear industry. By restoring abandoned factory machines and betting on local manufacturing, he built Yikodeen into one of West Africa’s leading safety footwear companies, proving that old industries can create new opportunities.

Nigerian public health expert Dr Olakunle Ajayi has been selected for Harvard University’s prestigious Rose Service Learning Fellowship. The award will support a major research project in Ekiti State aimed at improving primary healthcare services through community-driven solutions.

Alex Iwobi reaches 100 international caps for Nigeria, joining an elite group of Super Eagles legends after a decade of consistent midfield service.

Another Nigerian talent is heading to the Premier League. Eighteen-year-old Zadok Yohanna has secured a five-year move to Brighton & Hove Albion after an impressive breakthrough season in Sweden with AIK Stockholm. From a local academy in Nigeria to one of England’s most exciting clubs, his journey is a testament to the growing global impact of Nigerian football talent.

As several fintech companies focus on cost-cutting and workforce reductions, Flutterwave is taking a different approach. The African payments giant has promoted more than 100 employees, introduced global relief packages and strengthened its investment in talent as it celebrates ten years of growth and innovation.

Born in Ibadan and raised in California, Wally Adeyemo has become one of the most influential figures in global economic policymaking. From the Obama administration to the U.S. Treasury, his journey reveals how African-origin leaders are helping shape the world’s financial systems.