Yoruba is one of the languages widely spoken
in Nigeria. That’s why it may come as a
surprise that some of the top celebs we see on
International movie screen aside having
Nigerian Origin are actually from Yoruba tribe.
We’ve made a list of international celebrities
from Yoruba tribe below



Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Hollywood actor, was born on October 1, 1962
in Lagos state to Nigerian parents from
Abeokuta, Ogun state.
He has featured in several hit movies such as
‘Hotel Rwandan, X-Men Origins: Wolverine,
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and
many TV series: 24, Lost, Law & Order,
Criminal Minds amongst others.
He has also featured in blockbuster Nollywood
movies like: Last Flight To Abuja, Black
November, Half of a Yellow Sun.
Hakeem is a brand ambassador for
telecommunications company – Etisalat
Nigeria.

WALE

US Rapper, Wale real name Olubowale Victor
Akintimehin was born to Nigerian parents both
from Yoruba tribe, Ogun state but grew up in
the US.
Wale aside being one of the top rappers in the
US has also become popular in Nigeria.
He has done collaborations with singers like
Wizkid in ‘Nobody But You’, Olamidein ‘Make
Us Proud’. The Maybach Music superstar,
Wale visited his mother land in December
2013.

Taio Cruz
British singer, Jacob Taio Cruz real name
Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere is of Nigerian
heritage. Born on 23 April 1985 in London to a
Nigerian father and a Brazillian mother.
Cruz who started writing songs when he was
12, was signed on a US publishing deal at just
18 years old.
He began his songwriting career at age 19 and
has won several awards some of which are:
BRIT Awards, Billboard Music Awards, ASCAP
Awards and American Music Awards.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje




Hollywood actor, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
was born on August 22, 1967 in Washington,
D.C to Nigerian parents.
Aside being fluent in Yoruba, he is also fluent
in several languages such as: English Italian,
Swahili.
He has featured in movies like The Bourne
Identity, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Mr. Eko
on Lost, Simon Adebisi on Oz, The Mummy
Returns amongst others.

Adetomiwa Edun


British actor, Adetomiwa Edun was born in
1984 to a Nigerian father from the Yoruba tribe
and a half-Ghanaian, half-English mother.
Edun who moved to the United Kingdom at the
age of 11 has featured in movies like Slaves,
Lwa & Order:UK, The Hour, Passengers.
He is popularly known for his role in the TV
series, Merlin when he played ‘Sir Elyan’ and
he became the second black in 2009 to play
Romeo at the GlobeTheatre.
In addition to being fluent in English, he speaks
Yoruba and French.

Richard Ayoade


Richard Ayoade is a British actor born on June
12, 1977 to a Nigerian father and Norwegian
mother.
The comedian, actor and writer has written
several awards winning stage plays in the UK.
He is also a known face on British TV having
starred in the highly popular The IT Crowd. He
made his Hollywood debut in 2012 after
starring in the comedy The Watch alongside
Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill.

David Oyelowo
Hollywood actor, David Oyelowo was born on
April 1, 1976 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England to
Nigerian parents.
He has featured in moboes like: The Butler,
Small Island.
In March 2010 he played the part of Keme
Tobodo in the BBC’s drama series ‘Blood and
Oil’ (a film about Niger-Delta area of Nigeria).

Adepero Oduye
American actress, Adepero Oduye might not
quickly ring a bell but she featured in hit movie
‘ 12 Years A Slave’ alongside British-Nigerian
actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Adepero Oduye is born to Nigerian parents
from Yoruba Tribe. She played Alike in Pariah
(2011), TV series, Law & Order amongst
others.
She has received several awards, including a
nomination for Independent Spirit Award for
Best Female Lead.

Hope Olaide Wilson



Hollywood actress, Hope Olaide Wilson was
born on August 16, 1985 to Nigerian parents
from the Yoruba Tribe.
Hope Olaide Wilson who moved to the United
States in 1996 has featured in Tyler Perry’s
movies ‘I Can Do Bad All By Myself’, After the
Dark and Faith and Dreams amongst others.
She is also fluent in English, French, and
Yoruba.
She won the 2009 Diversity Awards Female
‘Nova’ Award Recipient for promising talent.

Our shining stars

Very cool.
First to comment dancing Azonto

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fibscomillion: Very cool.
First to comment dancing Azonto

Sister? Look up!! Smh •

jamilkb: WALE

US Rapper, Wale real name Olubowale Victor
Akintimehin was born to Nigerian parents both
from Yoruba tribe, Ogun state but grew up in
the US.
Wale aside being one of the top rappers in the
US has also become popular in Nigeria.
He has done collaborations with singers like

Wizkid in ‘Nobody But You’, Olamidein ‘Make
Us Proud’. The Maybach Music superstar,
Wale visited his mother land in December
2013.

Wale is from Ondo, not Ogun State