Nigeria is filled with some of the most talented actors, actresses, musicians, athletes, and more but just because we see these celebrities here in town and just because they’re popular here in Nigeria, it doesn’t mean that everybody you see on television is 100% Nigerian. That is not the case.
Today, we’ll be counting down 5 Nigerian celebrities you may not know are actually also from Benin. Are you ready to find out who they are? Then let’s go!
1. Angela Okorie
Nollywood superstar Angela Okorie is one of Nigeria’s most talented and popular actresses working. She started her acting career in 2009 after a decade of modeling for a soap company. Her debut movie was called Sincerity and since breaking out with that movie, Angela has gone on to star in a plethora of movies including Secret Code, Sacrifice the Baby, Child Dedication, Divorce Not Allowed, and more.
With all the fame and success Angela has amassed here in the Nigerian entertainment industry, it may surprise some to know that Angela was actually not born here. Angela Okorie was born and raised in Cotonou, Benin Republic making her a Beninese woman by birth.
2. Yinka Davies
Powerhouse vocalist, dancer, songwriter and previous judge of the reality TV show, Nigerian Idol, Yinka Davies is a woman who has had a very successful career in the Nigerian entertainment industry, a career that has spanned 28 years.
With all the fame and success Yinka Davies has found here in the Nigerian entertainment industry, it may surprise some to know that Yinka is also part Beninese. Her father is of Benin Republic descent while her mother is from Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria making Yinka Davies a Beninese woman by blood.
3. Asari-Dokubo
Asari-Dokubo formerly Melford Dokubo Goodhead Jr. and typically referred to simply as Asari, is a political figure of the Ijaw ethnic group in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. He was born in Buguma and was president of the Ijaw Youth Council for a time beginning in 2001 before later founding the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force which would later become one of the most prominent armed groups operating in the Niger Delta region.
In 2013, Asari left Nigeria for Cotonou in Benin Republic where he became a citizen. In that town, he has built several schools, colleges, and a university for the students of Cotonou. He is a Beninese man by citizenship.
4. Razak Omotoyossi
Razak Omotoyossi is a Nigerian-born Beninese professional footballer who plays as a striker for JA Cotonou and the Benin national team. Razak has played in Nigeria, Egypt, Sweden, Saudi Arabia and France.
He is Beninese by blood.
5. Ayra Starr
Breakout musician and latest MAVIN, Ayra Starr is enjoying a lot of success currently with hit singles such as Away and Bloody Samaritan.
With all the fame and success Ayra is enjoying here in the Nigerian entertainment industry, it may surprise some to know that she was actually not born here. Ayra Starr was actually born on 14 June, 2002 in Cotonou, Benin Republic making her a Beninese woman by birth.
Angela Okorie, Yinka Davies, Asari Dokubo, Razak Omotoyossi, and Ayra Starr are all Beninese. Which one of them surprised you the most to find out?
