Nigeria has a lot of celebrities from different industries but most especially the entertainment industry. In this episode of Celebrity Birthdays, we look at top Nigerian celebrities born in March.
Olamide
Olamide AKA Baddo has been in the top flight since his smash hit, First of all. The talented indigenous rapper is one of the most celebrated musicians in Nigeria and Africa. He has released more than 10 albums/EPs over the course of his career and has won numerous awards. Aside from being very talented in what he does, olamide has also helped several top artistes in Nigeria attain fame via his YBNL record label. This includes Fireboy DML, Adekunle Gold, and Lil Kesh amongst others. He’s one of the Nigerian celebrities born in March as he was born on the 15th of March, 1989.
Pete Edochie
Chief Pete Edochie is a veteran Nollywood actor and one of the most notable names in the Nigerian entertainment scene. He started his acting career in the 80s and has been active for more than 4 decades starring in hundreds of movies. To a lot of Nigerians, he’ll always be known as Okonkwo as he played the role of the lead character in the movie on Chihuahua Achebe best selling novel, Things Fall Apart. He’s a member of the order of Niger and was born on March 7, 1947.
Olusegun Obasanjo
Olusegun Obasanjo, aka OBJ, is a two-time Nigerian ruler. He ruled the country as head of state during the military era and later became the first elected president of the fourth republic. To a lot of political Nigerians, he’s the best president Nigeria has had yet. While as Head of State, he handed power over to civilian rule. Olusegun Obasanjo was born on the 5th of March, 1937. Aside from being a military and political figure, Obasanjo is also a renowned writer having written more than 20 books.
Banky W
While in his prime, the singer Banny W was the face of R&B in Nigeria. He scored major hits with songs like Strong Thing, Lagos Party, Thief My Kele, Don’t Break My Heart, Yes/No, and the list goes on. His record label, Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), introduced one of the biggest afrobeats stars in the world, Wizkid. Olubankole Wellington was born on 27th March, 1981. When he’s not a singer, Banky W is a rapper, actor, movie director, or politician. He got married to Adesua Etomi in 2017 – arguably the biggest Nigerian celebrity wedding that decade.
Yemi Alade
Mama Africa, as she’s fondly called, is one of the top female musicians in Nigeria. Yemi is a leading star for female artists in Nigeria. She scattered the scene when she entered with her single Johnny in 2014. Johnny remains one of the biggest songs out of Nigeria till date with more than 130 million views on YouTube as at 2021. Yemi Alade was born on 13th March 1989. Although her breakout single came in 2014, she’s been active since 2005. The king of queens has won several awards including an AFRIMMA, MAMA, Soundcity MVP, and Headies.
Pastor EA Adeboye
Pastor Adeboye is the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). RCCG is one of the biggest Pentecostal churches in Nigeria and Pastor Adeboye is one of the most renowned men of God in the world. The professor was born on 2nd March 1942 and began his ministerial work in 1975 when he was ordained a pastor. 6 years later, in 1981, he was made the general overseer of the church. Pastor EA Adeboye is a spiritual director to millions of Nigerians. More than 5 million Nigerians attend RCCG.
Sarz
A lot of hit songs in Nigeria have featured the tag “Sarz on the beat”. The list is too long to mention but here’s a few top ones, Come Closer by Wizkid, Kondo by DaGrin, Beat of Life ft Wizkid, Jaiye Jaiye by Wizkid, Coded Tinz by 2Baba, Maradona by Niniola, Diet by DJ Enimoney, and Oja by Reminisce. Real name being, Osabuohien Osaretin, Sarz was born on the 17th of March 1989. He has been producing since 2007 and he believes “Sarz Is Not Your Mate” (SINYM). You can listen to his SINYM album to agree or disagree.
Kanayo O. Kanayo
Kanayo O. Kanayo is a Nollywood veteran actor. He’s known mainly for his ritualistic roles in Nollywood movies which he plays to perfection. However, in real life, Kanayo is one of the most educated Nollywood actors. He’s a lawyer who’s been called to the bar, he’s an MFR and ambassador to the United Nations. He was born on the 1st of March, 1962. Kanayo made his debut in the movie Living In Bondage in 1992. Many don’t know but Kanayo O. Kanayo isn’t his birth name; he’s birth name is Anayo Modestus Onyekwere.
Chioma “Chukwuka” Akpotha
Known popularly as Chioma Chukwuka until after her marriage and change of name in 2007, this lady is one of the best actresses to come out of Nollywood. She was born on 12th March 1980 and she started her acting career at just 20 years, in 2000. The talented actress has starred in top movies like Sacred Tradition, Beyond Trust, Nneka the pretty serpent, Lara and the Beat, and more. Her filmography as actress and as producer is too numerous to mention.
Erica Nlewedim
Among all celebrities on this list, Erica is the youngest. The “Star Girl” was a housemate in season 5 of the Big Brother Naija show. Although she was disqualified from the house, she’s one of the biggest celebrities the show has ever produced. Her fan base, Elites, can only be compared to Laycon’s Icons or Tacha’s Titans. Erica Nlewedim is a model and actress who graduated from the Met Film School in London. She was born on the 13th of March 1994.
Bottom Line
Were you born in March too? Which of these celebrities do you share a birthday with? It’s always fun to share a birthday or birth month without your favorite celebrity. One day, you could be a celebrity too.