TOP 20 NIGERIAN HEROES AND HEROINES

AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS

Nigeria may be seen as a country with many negatives, but heroes and heroines have emerged from it. These
patriotic citizens worked hard to ensure a better Nigeria where the people are free from British colonialism and free
to express themselves.

Their efforts were tough, and many of them made a lot of sacrifices. Some even paid with their lives. This is why it
is our civic duty to remember and honor them for their efforts to make Nigeria a better place for children, both born
and unborn. Therefore, here are the top 20 Nigerian heroes and heroines and their achievements.

Table of Content
1 Top 10 Nigerian heroes and their achievements
1.1 1. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
1.2 2. Sir Ahmadu Bello
1.3 3. Chief Anthony Enahoro
1.4 4. Chief Obafemi Awolowo
1.5 5. Herbert Macaulay
1.6 6. Aminu Kano
1.7 7. Gen. Murtala Mohammed
1.8 8. M.K.O Abiola
1.9 9. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
1.10 10. Gani Fawehinmi
2 Top 10 Nigerian heroines and their achievements
2.1 1. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti
2.2 2. Kudirat Abiola
2.3 3. Margaret Ekpo
2.4 4. Hajiya Sawaba
2.5 5. Madam Tinubu
2.6 6. Grace Eniola Soyinka
2.7 7. Chioma Ajunwa
2.8 8. Prof. Dora Akunyili
2.9 9. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
2.10 10. Agbani Darego

Top 10 Nigerian heroes and their achievements

1. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe

Popularly known as the “Zik of Africa” and “father of Nigerian nationalism,” Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was Nigeria‟s
first President from 1963 to 1966. He was born on November 16, 1904, in Zungeru, Northern Nigeria. However, his
parents were Igbo from Anambra State. By the time he finished secondary school, he was fluent in Igbo, Hausa, and
Yoruba languages due to exposure to different Nigerian cultures. This would be an asset to him as Nigeria‟s first
president. Before joining politics, “Zik” was the editor for the African Morning Post and established the West
African Pilot. He founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944 alongside Herbert
Macaulay and became the secretary-general of the National Council in 1946.

He was the first Nigerian to be named to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom and the Governor-General on
the same day. Zik died aged 91 on May 11, 1996. But his hard work and legacy live on as many places have been
named after him, including his face gracing the 500 naira note since 2001.

2. Sir Ahmadu Bello

Ahmadu Ibrahim Bello was the Sardauna of Sokoto who was knighted Sir Ahmadu Bello by the Queen of England.
He was a conservative Nigerian statesman who masterminded the mordenisation and unification of the different
tribes of Northern Nigeria. He became the region‟s first and only premier in 1954 and played active roles in
Nigeria‟s independence alongside Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

However, he was assassinated in a coup that ended Nigeria‟s post-independence government on January 15, 1966.
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is named after him and his photo graces the N200 note.
ALSO READ: 6 uncelebrated heroes and heroines that saved lives in Nigeria

3. Chief Anthony Enahoro

Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro was one of the foremost anti-colonial and pro-democracy activists in Nigeria.
He was Nigeria‟s youngest ever editor, aged 21 at Nnamdi Azikiwe‟s newspaper, the Southern Nigerian Defender,
Ibadan, in 1944.

Enahoro became the first to move the motion for Nigeria‟s independence in 1953 which is why many academics
and Nigerians named him the “Father of Nigeria State”. Although, his motion for Nigeria‟s independence was
unsuccessful until 1960, he will always be remembered for fighting a good cause for the nation until his death in
2010.

4. Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the first indigenous Premier of Western Nigeria. He was one of the first leaders to
champion the cause of independence for Nigeria. Not only that, he introduced free education and health care in the
western region in 1955. He founded Action Group in 1950, a party that called for the termination of British rule in
Nigeria. He also founded the Yoruba nationalist group, Egbe Omo Oduduwa.

Awolowo was the first leader of Government Business and Minister of Local Government and Finance and
contested for Nigeria‟s presidency thrice. Although he didn‟t win, he is still regarded as the leader of the Yorubas
till date. He died peacefully at his Ikenne home, the Efunyela Hall, on May 9, 1987, at the age of 78. His photo
adorns the N100 note.

5. Herbert Macaulay
Olayinka Herbert Samuel Heelas Badmus Macaulay was what many Nigerians regarded as the founder of Nigerian
nationalism. Born on November 14, 1864, Herbert Macaulay was the grandson of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther,
the first Anglican Bishop of West Africa. He began the nationalist movement in the 20s after he realised that people
of different backgrounds living in the British colony of Nigeria could come together as one. As a result, he founded
the Lagos Daily News to promote the nationalist movement.

He also became the first Nigerian to establish a political party in 1922, the Nigerian National Democratic Party
(NNDP). Herbert Macaulay was the first national president of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons
(NCNC), a party he co-founded with Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1944. His photo graced the now out-of-circulation N1
note and coin.

ALSO READ: Top 6 Nigerian activists of all time

6. Aminu Kano

Mallam Aminu Kano was a Nigerian Muslim politician who led a socialist movement in the northern part of the
country in opposition to British rule. Known for political radicalism in the north, the Northern Elements Progressive
Union (NEPU), fought against the autocratic and feudalistic actions of the Native Northern Government. His attack
was targeted at the ruling elite including the emirs, who were mostly Fulanis. He advocated for the removal of
ethnic barriers in the formation of political parties and was one of the first politicians who supported equal rights
for women.
Mallam Aminu Kano remains a highly respected figure in Northern Nigeria despite his death and an airport, a
college and a major street have been named after him. Also, the house where he lived, died and was buried has been
converted into the Centre for Democratic Research and Training under the Bayero University Kano.

7. Gen. Murtala Mohammed

General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was Nigeria‟s military ruler after staging a counter-coup in 1966. Although his
rule was shortlived, he gave Nigeria a new sense of direction by establishing 19 states out of the 12, and set up a
Public Complaints Commission which gave probity to the public. He was the first leader to introduce the phrases
“Fellow Nigerians” and “with immediate effect” to the national lexicon.

Muhammed was the first to announce that the new Federal Capital would move to Abuja, a location of about 8,000
square kilometres, in the central part of the country. He was known for a simple lifestyle which eventually cost him
his life when he was assassinated aged 37 alongside his aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa, in his
black Mercedes Benz saloon car on February 13, 1976. The only protection he had was a pistol carried by his
orderly which made his assassination very easy.

8. M.K.O Abiola

Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola has been regarded as the father of Nigerian democracy after he was
declared the unofficial winner of the infamous June 12, 1993, presidential elections. A businessman, publisher,
politician, and aristocrat of the Yoruba Egba clan, Abiola contested against National Republican Convention (NRC)
candidate Bashir Tofa in what is referred to as Nigeria‟s freest and fairest election till date. However, the results
were annulled by the then-military Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida. Abiola continued to fight for his
mandate until he unexpectedly died in prison on the day he was supposed to be released. Today, June 12 has been
named Democracy Day in Nigeria.
9. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti

Fela Anikulapo-Kuti popularly known as Fela Kuti was a controversial Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, band leader,
composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat and spoke against
Nigeria‟s military juntas.

Fela founded the Kalakuta Republic, which declared itself independent from military rule. As a result, he was a
constant target for the military government and even spent 20 months in jail under the Muhammadu Buhari military
rule. He died of alleged complications from AIDS but his music lives on through the efforts of his children.

10. Gani Fawehinmi

Chief Abdul-Ganiyu “Gani” Oyesola Fawehinmi, GCON, SAN was a civil rights lawyer and politician. He was
known for his activism in the principles and ideals of the rule of law, undiluted democracy, and protection of
fundamental human rights. Fawehinmi was one of the few people to reject the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR)
– the highest honor given to a citizen by the Nigerian government – to protest against the many years of misrule
since Nigeria‟s independence.

ALSO READ: Top 10 richest politicians in Nigeria

Top 10 Nigerian heroines and their achievements

Like the men, it is also important to recognise Nigerian heroines for their contributions to the growth of the nation.
Here are the top 10:

1. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti

Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, popularly known as Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti, was an educator, political
campaigner and suffragist. She was also the mother of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and became the first woman to drive a
car in Nigeria.

2. Kudirat Abiola

Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was the second wife of M.K.O Abiola and a pro-democracy campaigner in Nigeria. She was
assassinated in her fight for her husband‟s June 12, 1993 mandate while he was in prison.

3. Margaret Ekpo
Margaret Ekpo was a Nigerian women‟s rights activist who became the first female politician in the country‟s first
republic. A member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), she was nominated to the
regional House of Chiefs in 1953. She was well known as a grassroots and nationalist politician in the Eastern
Nigerian city of Aba.

4. Hajiya Sawaba

Hajiya Sawaba was a strong Nigerian politician and activist from the Northern region. She supported the Northern
Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) which fought and eventually won independence for Nigeria. Despite being a
woman with little education and forced into an early marriage, she fought to liberate women from African traditions
that don‟t favour them.

ALSO READ: Top 10 traditional rulers in Nigeria

5. Madam Tinubu
Madam Tinubu helped to abolish the slave trade in Badagry and became the first Iyalode of Egbaland.

6. Grace Eniola Soyinka

Grace Eniola Soyinka was a women‟s rights activist and co-founder of Abeokuta Women‟s Union with Funmilayo
Ransome-Kuti, who was her aunt-in-law. The group protested against taxes introduced by the Alake of Abeokuta,
the indirect ruler backed by the British colonialists. Eniola Soyinka was the mother of Wole Soyinka, Nigeria‟s first
and only Nobel Prize winner in Literature.

7. Chioma Ajunwa

Chioma Ajunwa is a policewoman and the first Nigerian to win gold at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. She is also
the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event.

ALSO READ: Top 10 female politicians in Nigeria and the world

8. Prof. Dora Akunyili

Prof. Dora Akunyili was the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and
Control of Nigeria. She was known for steadily fighting against fake and sub-standard drugs during her time at
NAFDAC.

9. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a two-time Minister of Finance, who is known for being instrumental in writing off
Nigeria‟s foreign debt during her first time as Finance Minister. She is currently the Director-General of the World
Trade Organization.

10. Agbani Darego

Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite „Agbani‟ Darego, MFR is a Nigerian model and beauty queen who won Miss World
pageantry in 2001. She became the first Nigerian and black African to win the prestigious crown.
 10 HEROES & HEROINES WHO FOUGHT FOR
NIGERIAN INDEPENDENCE

“The Labour Of Our Heroes Past Shall Never be in Vain” is the most emotional and captivating line of the
Nigerian National Pledge bringing to our memories, all the legendary Heroes and Heroines who fought for Nigerian
Independence and Freedom from the British.

Needless to say, Nigeria is regarded now as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, moving from bad to
worst from one political leader to another.

Notwithstanding there have been some good Heroes and heroines who were patriotic citizens. These Legends
fought for Nigerians freedom to ensure Nigeria is an independent country from the British.

These Patriotic citizens worked so hard to ensure Nigeria is a better country for our children and children‟s children
who are unborn.

Getting Independence from our colonial leaders was nothing less than a battlefield. I could vividly remember how
my Uncle brainwashed me to believe that while Nigerians were agitating for Independence from the whites to no
avail.

According to his story, while the meeting was ongoing, Kule; a Man with a snuffbox removed his snuff from his
pocket, sniffed it into his nostrils, and boom his eyes were so red that the British executives got so scared of him
and succumbed to the desires of Nigerians and that was how Nigeria got her independence.

Not until I grew up to actually discover that it was just a fake story fabricated by my uncle to justify his habit of
taking snuff. I never really liked him taking snuff anyways.

Looking back to our past legendary heroes and heroines who fought for Nigerian Independence. It becomes evident
that it is our civic responsibility to give respect and honour to these Heroes and Heroines who laid down their lives
to make sure Nigeria is a better place to live.

Below is well-detailed historical information about Heroes and Heroines who laid down their lives to make Nigeria
a better place.

1. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was one of the patriotic citizens of Nigeria who should never be forgotten no matter what.
Born on December 14th, 1994 in the family of Mr. & Mrs. Yakubu Dan Zala.
His father; Yakubu dan Zala was a Gere Man while His mother; Fatima Inna was of Fulani descent.

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first president of Nigeria after Independence from October 1st, 1963 to January 16th,
1966.

Just before occupying the sit of the Presidency Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe had already served as Governor-General from
1960 to 1963 through NCNC (National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons/National Convention of Nigerian
Citizens).

NCNC was the leading Nigerian political party formed from 1944 to 1966, the Political party produced leaders who
fought so hard before independence and after independence to ensure Nigeria is an independent country. The Party
made a historic achievement that is worthy to be documented.

Nevertheless, aside from being a prominent member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, Dr.
Nnamdi Azikiwe was also an active member of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM).

NYM was founded in 1935, it was also a nationalist organization that Nnamdi Azikiwe used as a catalyst for the
attainment of self-rule.

Another strong Political movement Azikiwe employed for the liberation of Nigeria was “The West Africa Pilot” a
newspaper that was published daily.

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe also gave strong opposition to “The Richard‟s constitution in 1945.

Through our historical documentation of Heroes who fought for Nigerian Independence, Dr Nnmadi Azikiwe is
regarded as a Legend and Patriotic Citizen who fought so hard to see a better Nigeria, no wonder the famous
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State is named after him to honour his Legacy, He also appears on
the ₦500 Note of Nigerian Naira Currency

Dr. Namdi Azikiwe’s Death

Azikiwe died aged 91 on 11 May 1996 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu after a long illness
and is buried in his native home Onitsha.

2. Sir Ahmadu Bello

Sir Ahmadu Bello was born on June 12, 1910, in Sokoto Nigeria. He was the leader of Political parties in the North
wherewith his influence; was able to dominate the political sector in northern Nigeria through the North Congress
Political Party. His hardwood gained him so much same and was called to represent the province of Sokoto in the
Regional House of Assembly.

Ahmadu Bello played a vital role in fighting for Nigerian freedom from the people of Britain. He was a co-founder
of the Northern People‟s Congress (NPC); a political movement that had other strong political influential people
like Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as one of its leaders.

Ahmadu Bello realized Nigeria needed to have independence so he formed an alliance with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
and other nationalists which led to the Independence of Nigeria in October 1960.

His hard work gained him recognition, the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is named after him to honour
his Legacy. He also appears on the ₦200 Note of Nigerian Naira Currency

Ahmadu Bello’s death

Sir Ahmadu Bello died by assassination, He was assassinated on 15 January 1966, Bello was assassinated by Major
Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu an Igbo Nigerian Army officer in a coup that toppled Nigeria‟s post-independence
government. He was still serving as premier of Northern Nigeria at the time

3. Obafemi Awolowo

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a strong leader and advocate of the Nigerian movement for independence. He was
born on 6th March 1909

Chief Obafemi was also a member of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) alongside Nnamdi Azikiwe, H.O
Davies, Samuel Akintola and other people who fought for the Independence of Nigeria. He was also the leader of
the Action Group (A.G).
Awolowo‟s was admired for his political philosophy. He believed in Federalism, a Philosophy that holds a strong
conception that federalism was the best method of uniting the people.

He was a democrat politician who worked earnestly towards ensuring that Nigeria gets her Independence.

Awolowo became the first premier of western Nigeria and he used that office profusely to work towards the
attainment of self role. He was also the chief Federal Commissioner of Finance.

Looking at his Educational Background, Awolowo was a trained teacher and later worked as a clerk, trader, and
newspaper reporter while organizing trade unions and participating in nationalist politics in his free time

After working for many years in Nigeria, He also proceeded to study law in London in 1944 and while studying He
founded the Egbe Omo Oduduwa (Yoruba: “Society of the Descendants of Oduduwa”) to promote the culture and
unity of the Yoruba people, one of the three largest ethnic groups in colonial Nigeria, and to ensure a secure future
for them.

Obafemi Awolowo Legacy for Nigeria can not be forgotten, the popular Obafemi Awolowo University is named
after him to honour his Legacy. He also appears on the ₦100 Note of Nigerian Naira Currency

Obafemi Awolowo’s Death

Awolowo died peacefully at his Ikenne home, the Efunyela Hall (so named after his mother), on 9 May 1987, at the
age of 78, and was laid to rest in Ikenne. He died a legendary death.

4. Sir Herbert Macaulay

Legendary Herbert Macaulay should never be forgotten when listing out heroes who fought for Nigeria‟s
Independence.

Sir Herbert Macaulay was born on the 14th of November 1864 in Lagos to the family of Thomas Babington
Macaulay and Abigail Crowther.

He received his first education in Lagos and in 1989 was awarded a Government Scholarship to study civil
Engineering in England where he spent 3 years.

Looking at his political achievements; Sir Herbert Macaulay was one of the founders of the NCNC. He was a Co-
founder of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) with the sole aim of Uniting Nigerians to gain
Independence from British rule.

Sir Herbert Macaulay is recognized as one of Nigeria‟s first Civil Engineer in Nigeria, a Nationalist and leader of
a strong opposition movement to the colonial leaders and their policies. His hard work can never be underrated
Sir Herbert Macaulay’s Death

Macaulay died in 1946 in Lagos after battling with illness. Macaulay‟s reported last words were: “Tell the National
Council delegates to halt wherever they are for four days for Macaulay and then carry on”.

The leadership of the NCNC went to Azikiwe, who later became the first president of Nigeria

5. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in December 1912 in his hometown, Bauchi state.

Balewa was an Educator and teacher by profession, His high level of intelligence gained him admission to study
London University Institute of Education (1945).

Shortly after His return to Nigeria in 1946, He was elected to the House of Assembly of the Northern Region and in
1947; was one of its five representatives to the Central Legislative Council in Lagos.

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa is regarded as the first Prime Minister in Nigeria, occupying the position in 1957
shortly after Independence in 1960.

Looking back to his other political work and achievements He joined forces with Ahmadu Bello to form the
Nigerian Peoples Congress (NPC) and was the deputy leader of the ruling party.

Sir Tafewa Balewa was appointed as the minister of works and later became the minister of transport while Nigeria
advocated for independence, with his position and influence in the Office of Ministry, Balewa played a significant
role in ensuring Nigeria got her Independence.

His impact was not only felt In Nigeria, he was the leader of the organization of African Unity. It was also a
platform for self-governance. Not just in Nigeria but Africa as a whole.

Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi State was named after him to honor his Legacy.

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s Death

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was overthrown and murdered in a military coup on 15th January 1966, together with
several other political leaders including his old companion; Sir Ahmadu Bello. The circumstances of his death still
remain unresolved.

His body was discovered at a roadside near Lagos six days after he was foxed from His office.

6. General Murtala Mohammed

This list cannot be complete without making mention of General Murtala Mohammed. He was one of Nigeria‟s
military rulers and he was born on November 8, 1938, in the ancient city of Kano. He took his first political
appointment as Commissioner for Communications in 1974 which he combined with his military duties.

Although General Murtala Mohammed‟s reign in power was short-lived, his administration gave the country a new
sense of direction, duty, and patriotism. Among his contributions to the development of Nigeria is also his creation
of 19 states out of the 12 carved out in 1967.

He also set up a Public Complaints Commission which gave probity to the public.

Murtala Mohammed‟s portrait adorns the 20 Naira note and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos
is named in his honor.

General Murtala Mohammed Death

Murtala Muhammed died by assassination but his legacy lives on. He was killed at a very young age of 37, along
with his aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa, in his black Mercedes Benz saloon car on 13 February
1976.

HEROINES WHO FOUGHT FOR NIGERIAN INDEPENDENCE

What a man can do, a woman can do better, below are Heroines who contributed immensely to ensure Nigeria is a
better place

7. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti

Funmilayo Ransome kuti smiling

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, born Frances Abigail Olufunmilayo Thomas on October 25, 1900, in Abeokuta, – 13
April 1978) was a Nigerian educator, political campaigner, suffragist, and women‟s rights activist. Born in
Abeokuta, Nigeria, Ransome-Kuti was the first female student to attend the Abeokuta Grammar School. As a young
adult, she worked as a teacher, organizing some of the first pre-school classes in the country and arranging literacy
classes for low-income women.

Her political activism led her to be regarded as “The Mother of Africa”. She was one of the women elected to the
native House of Chiefs, serving as an Oloye of the Yoruba people. She was also a ranking member of the National
Council of Nigeria and Cameroon as well as the first Nigerian lady to drive an automobile in Nigeria.

In 1932, when her husband became principal of the Abeokuta school, Funmilyo helped organize the Abeokuta
Ladies Club (ALC), initially a civic and charitable group of mostly Western-educated Christian women. The
organization gradually became more political and feminist in its orientation, and in 1944 it formally admitted
market women (women vendors in Abeokuta‟s open-air markets), who were generally impoverished, illiterate, and
exploited by colonial authorities.

In 1946 the ALC changed its name to the Abeokuta Women‟s Union (AWU) and opened its membership to all
women in Abeokuta. Ransome-Kuti became the first president of the AWU (1946) and headed its successor
organizations until her death.

Funmilayo Ransome Kuti Death

Sadly, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti passed away on April 13th, 1978. She died from injuries sustained when she was
thrown from a third-floor window in her son‟s compound.

8. Margaret Ekpo

Margaret Ekpo was born in Creek Town, Calabar, and was a Nigerian women‟s rights activist who was a
pioneering female politician in the country‟s first republic. She played major roles as a nationalist politician in the
Eastern Nigerian city of Aba

She later married a Medical doctor; John Udo Ekpo, in 1938.

Looking at her political life, She was a member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) and
was nominated by the NCNc in 1954 to the regional House of Chiefs in 1953. In 1950, she alongside Funmilayo
Ransome-Kuti protested killings at an Enugu coal mine. The victims were leaders protesting colonial practices at
the mine.

Magaret Ekpo established the Aba Township Women‟s Association in 1954 and by 1955, women in Aba had
outnumbered men, voters, in the citywide election. In 2001, Calabar Airport was named after her and she later died
in 2006.