10 Nigerian Celebrities Who Were Born Abroad (Photos)
Some of the biggest celebrities in Nigeria have international roots that may come as a surprise to you. Some of these stars hail from all over the world and even many famous people who weren’t born abroad spent much of their childhoods outside of the country.
Below are Nigerian celebrities who were born abroad:
Davido
Nigerian singer, Davido was born on 21 November, 1992 in Atlanta, United States. Although he relocated to Nigeria at a tender age, he would go on to attend the prestigious British International School in Lagos before returning to the US for university education he never completed.
Tems
Grammy award-winning singer, Tems falls under the category of celebrities who spent most of their childhoods outside the shores of Nigeria. Tem’s father is British and her family moved to London when she was a baby. They returned to Nigeria four years later, and her parents divorced shortly after.
Oge Okoye
Nollywood star, Oge Okoye is one of the top actresses in Nollywood with numerous movies and awards under her belt. The thespian was born on 16 November 1980 in London, United Kingdom. She would later move down to Lagos to live with her family after completing her primary education in the UK.
Jim Iyke
One of Nollywood’s heavyweights Jim Iyke was born on 25th September 1976 in Libreville, Gabon.
Jim Iyke is the only boy in a family of eight children. His relocation to the country has made him one of the most successful actors in Nollywood.
Banky W
Singer cum actor, Bankole Wellington otherwise known as Banky W was born on March 27, 1981 in New York City, New York, United States to Nigerian parents. His parents moved back to Nigeria when he was five years.
Beverly Naya
Per Wikipedia, British-born Nigerian actress, Beverly Naya was born in London as the only child of her Nigerian parents. Unlike other celebrities who made the cut, Beverly lived most of her life in the UK before returning to Nigeria as an adult.
At 17, Beverly began acting while studying philosophy, psychology, and sociology at Brunel University. She also studied script-writing and film-making at Roehampton University. In an interview with BellaNaija, she explained that she relocated to Nigeria because of the rapid growth of Nollywood, and the opportunities that it creates for aspiring actors.
Seyi Shay
Nigerian singer and actress, Seyi Shay was born on 21, December 1985, the mother of one crooner was born in Tottenham, London, United Kingdom to Nigerian parents where she was raised. Seyi recounting her relocation to Nigeria said ‘ The individuality of the music industry in Nigeria made her return home.