Nigeria, of course is one of the most prestigious entertainment industries in the world.
From the music industry to the movie industry, celebrities have excel to great heights both nationally and internationally.
Here, Glamsquad have gathered the top 10 celebrities in Nigeria of 2022 based on international recognitions and social media followers.
1. Davido
Nigerian artist, Davido is top on the list no doubt. He has maintained his title as the most followed Nigerian celebrity on Instagram for the fifth consecutive year with 25.7 million followers. It’s interesting to note that he has more Instagram followers than some of the biggest superstars in the world.
Davido is also reputable internationally. He has won two BET awards for Best International act 2014 and 2018. He has also performed in the 02 arena at London.
The 29-year-old has collaboration with international artists like Chris Brown, Meek Mill, Khalid and others.
2. Wizkid
Grammy award winner, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as Wizkid, has 15.6 million followers on Instagram and even singer, Yemi Alade has more. It is no surprise as Wizkid prefers to live a quit life on social media.
The 32-year-old songwriter is of course well-known for his international achievements like wining the prestigious Grammy award, shutting down the O2 arena and collaborating with top artists like Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and many more.
SFTOS and Made in Lagos, Wizkid’s smash singles, premiered at No. 2 on the US World Albums chart (Billboard chart). He was also the first Afrobeats musician to have his contribution to Drake’s song “One Dance” recognized by Guinness World Records.
3. Burna Boy
Nigerian artist, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as Burna Boy, have grown rapidly in the music industry both nationally and internationally. He has a total of 12.1 million followers on Instagram.
He is also the first Nigerian to be nominated for two Grammy Awards in a row, in 2021. With over 20 national and international honors.
The 31-year-old has won a Grammy award and his last album “Love, Damini” proves his international collaborations with the likes of Khalid, Ed Sheeran and others.
4. Tiwa Savage
Nigerian singer-songwriter, Tiwa Savage has proven to be influential in the music industry for over a decade. It is safe to say she is the most consistent Nigerian artist with back-to-back hit tracks.
Savage, who was already a huge success when her debut album Once Upon a Time was published in 2013, continued to release singles and expand her global reach by performing at foreign festivals and venues over the next decade.
Tiwa Savage has 15.7 million followers on Instagram.
5. Yemi Alade
One of the less contentious celebrities is Yemi Alade. She posts a lot of pictures of her gorgeous body and her career, but there isn’t much controversy on her Instagram page.
Mama Africa, as she is affectionately known in Nigeria, have worked alongside Oscar and Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo, a Beninese singer-songwriter of Nigerian descent.
Yemi Alade’s Shekere has over 9 million views on YouTube alone. She also recorded a song called “Oh My Gosh” with renowned rapper Rick Ross.
She has over 17 million followers on Instagram and is recognize as one of the top female artist in Nigeria.
6. 2Baba
2Baba, also known as 2face, began his musical career with the defunct Plantashun Boiz and has since gone on to become a huge celebrity in Nigerian music. 2Baba is a Nigerian Afropop artist who changed his name from Tuface to 2Baba in 2016. In 2015, 2Baba won the MTV Europe and Best African Act Awards for the first time. “African Queen,” 2Baba’s 2006 song, received rave reviews all around the world.
2baba has 7.6 million followers on Instagram.
7. Funke Akindele
Nollywood actress and producer, Funke Akindele is an important figure in the Nigerian industry. She rose to fame with her movie “Jenifa’s Diary” which was released in 2008. Funke’s movie, Omo Ghetto;. The Saga won its 1st International Award at META Cinema Conference in the UAE.
Funke Akindele is currently pursuing a career in politics as The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, Olajide Adediran, picked her as his running mate for the 2023 general election.
Funke Akindele has 15.6 million followers on Instagram.
8. Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve has been first for a number of things, including the popularity of her Netflix movie, Lionheart. This was her directorial debut, and it was the first Nigerian film to be an original Netflix movie. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Lionheart was Nigeria’s first Oscar submission. Unfortunately, the film was rejected because the majority of the language was in English.
Genevieve has won various honors since her debut as an actor, including the Africa Movie Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, which she was the first actor to win. The Nigerian government has made her a member of the Order of the Federal Republic.
Genevieve Nnaji has 8.5 million followers on Instagram.
9. Tems
Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame when she released her first EP, “Time Swap EP” in 2013. Her feature in Wizkid’s “Essence” has brought her a lot of international recognitions.
Tems has since won won international act at 2022 BET, collaborated with international artists like Drake, Justin Bieber, and most recently wrote a song for American artist, Rihanna titled “Lift Me Up” to feature in the upcoming “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” movie. She also sang a cover for “No woman, No cry” for the movie.
Tems has 2.9 million followers on Instagram.
10. Kizz Daniel
Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, better known by his stage name Kizz Daniel, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who rose to fame with his banging hit single “Woju” released in 2016.
Kizz Daniel is not big on international collaboration but has performed in the renowned O2 arena in London.
Kizz is one of the major artist in Nigeria right now. His famous single “Cough (ODO)” is making rounds both nationally and internationally.
Kizz Daniel has 9.9 million followers on Instagram.