60 Nigerians In 60 Years Making “Nigerian Lives Matter”

As a Nigerian, I am so proud to present this special edition of Life Magazine, specially created to celebrate Nigeria at 60 years of Independence. With all that is going on in the world, it is easy to forget some of the more positive stories. We are also less connected in person and not present at the events that would usually take place at this time, so I welcome you to connect with some Nigerians of impact by reading about them here. You will be familiar with some, others less so.

In 2010, I produced a similar publication – Nigeria @50 – which was a joint venture between Time Out Nigeria and The Financial Times. That publication featured the country’s leading business leaders and professionals from the arts and entertainment industries, compared to this decade’s edition, where we have searched wider, and selected Nigerians who, in addition to racking up lists of personal accolades have made a social impact on others – both home and abroad. Those who have inspired other Nigerians by excelling in their chosen fields, by breaking records, or by acting as change-makers in the following areas: The Arts & Creativity; Entrepreneurship; Finance; Healthcare & Medicine; Law & Politics; The Media; Power & Energy; Social Impact; Technology; and Innovations & Inventions. Age knows no barrier either, as the range covered is between ages 12 and 101.

We also have a chapter dedicated to honour eight special people posthumously: Guardian Angels who will forever inspire us. If physical events are impossible, then at least we can “celebrate” Nigeria@60 in print and digitally.

Furthermore, “Black Lives Matter”, and to honour this ongoing movement, it is our duty to communicate that “Nigerian Lives Matter”. Nigeria, we must set an example to our Black and African brothers and sisters worldwide, so let us bring out more of the positives.

Onto greener pastures Nigeria!

The “Firsts“ Chapter

1. Akintola Williams, CBE

2. Otunba Subomi Balogun, CON

3. Chief FRA Williams, QC, SAN (1920 – 2005)

4. Dr. Nabo Graham- Douglas, SAN (1926 – 1983)

5. Chief (Mrs.) Folake Solanke

6. Francesca Emanuel, CON (1933-2020)

7. Prof. Wole Soyinka

8. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

9. Ibukun Awosika

10. Oba Nsugbe QC, SAN

11. Anne Imafidon, MBE

12. Dr. Bennet Omalu

13. Misan Harriman

A Taste Of Our Own Medicine

14. Dr. George Ndukwe, MB, BS, FWACS, FRCOG

15. Dr. Yemi Johnson

16. Dr. Dapo Majekodunmi

17. Dr. Obinna Igwilo

18. Dr. Olurotimi Badero

A Woman’s Touch

19. Amina Mohammed

20. Dr. Funke Abimbola, MBE

21. Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili

22. Funke Adekoya, SAN

23. Pearlena Igbokwe

24. Ndidi Nwuneli

25. Damilola Ogunbiyi

26. Opal Tometi

27. Neku Atawodi-Edun

28. Imeime Umana

Health And Wellness

29. Maje Ayida

30. Ade Adebisi

Technology

31. Chinedu Echeruo

32. Ndubuisi Ekekwe

33. Sim Shagaya

The Enrich List

34. Aliko Dangote

35. Jim Ovia

36. Abdul Samad Isyaku Rabiu

37. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CON

38. Femi Otedola, CON

39. Dr. Godwin Maduka

40. Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion

41. Tony Elumelu, MFR, CON

The Trailblazers

42. Adebayo Ogunlesi

43. Atedo Peterside, CON

44. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CON

45. Dr. Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma

46. Prof. Charles Egbu

47. Wale Tinubu

The Artistic Players

48. Nduka Obaigbena

49. Mo Abudu

50. Adebayo Jones

51. Njideka Akunyili-Crosby

52. Ben Enwonwu, MBE

53. Folake Coker

54. David Oyewole, OBE

55. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

56. Ed Keazor

57. Helen Epega

The Future

58. Zuriel Oduwole

59. Omotade Ojora

60. Chika Ofili

Nigerian Families Matter: Families where all immediate members have the same gift, skill or achievement

1. The Akinkugbes: Family of Musicians

2. The Amazus: Record-breaking Family of North Pole Explorers

3. The Dafinones: Guinness Book Record-holding Family of Accountants

4. The Dozies: Family of Entrepreneurs

5. The Esiri Twins: Ones To Watch

Guardian Angels: Gone, but forever with us in spirit to inspire us

1. Alex Ibru: Guardian of Truth in Media (1945 – 2011)

2. Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh: Guardian of Health (1956 – 2014)

3. MKO Abiola: Guardian of Democracy (1937 – 1998)

4. Ibidun Ighodalo: Guardian of Fertility (1980 – 2020)

5. Dr. Ime Sampson Umanah: Guardian of the Poor (1943 – 2015)

6. Ken Saro Wiwa: Guardian of Activism (1941 – 1995)

7. Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, MON: Guardian of Principles (1900 – 1978)

8. Lt. Tolulope Arotile: Guardian of Defence (1995 – 2020)

To access the cover article, click here to read

Editorial Team

Editor-In-Chief & Contributing Editor

• Anita Kouassigan

Deputy & Contributing Editor

• Njideka Agbo

Features Writer

• Tobi Karim

Contributors

• Tobi Karim, Folarin Majekodunmi

History Contributor

• Ed Emeka Keazor (a special thanks to him for providing the text and images for the history feature on p28-29)

Tribute Writers

• Andrea Johnson, Tundun Abiola, Nene Umanah, Ifeoma Williams, Lande Abudu

Layout & Cover Direction

• Anita Kouassigan

Publication Layout, Style & Design

• Horgan Ekong

Photography Credits

• Misan Harriman (4 photos on p10), Samuel Churchill and Camilla Holmstroem