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20 Nigerians that made history as the First and paved the way (Part 1: The Women)

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by Adaora Nwangwu

Breaking new grounds in the international scene is major for many Africans. This accomplishment either ushers you into stardom or proves you are world-famous with many devoted fans. For many in the Nigerian sports and entertainment industry, receiving international endorsements, recognition, and awards is the ultimate goal. Years back, fulfilling this pursuit seemed far-fetched. But thanks to Grammy Award Winners Wizkid, Burnaboy, and Tems, they have shown us that global success is very possible.

A recent addition to the list of Nigerian trailblazers is Mavin signee Ayra Starr. On Thursday, her 2022 single Rush became the first solo song by a Nigerian female artiste to have over 100 million streams on Spotify. In light of her groundbreaking achievement, we have highlighted 20 Nigerians who made history as the first and opened the doors for future generations.

The Women

Sade Adu 

After signing a recording contract with Epic Records in 1983, British-Nigerian singer Sade and her band debuted their first album Diamond Life. The following year, she performed at Live Aid charity concert at Wembley Stadium. In 1985, she released her second album, Promise, which spent two weeks at number 1 on the Billboard 200. This made her the first Nigerian to have her album debut on the chart. The band released their third and fourth albums, Stronger Than Pride (1988) and Love Deluxe (1992). After this, Sade became the first Nigerian to; perform at The Royal Albert Hall in 1993, be nominated for ‘Best International Act’ at the BET Awards in 2010 and perform at the O2 Arena in London, England, in 2011. 

Chioma Ajunwa-Opara 

In the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Chioma Ajunwa won a Women’s Long Jump Olympic Gold medal. The former athlete and football player became the first Nigerian to win a gold medal in a field event. After Chioma’s victory, former Nigerian Head of State, Sani Abacha, awarded her Member of the Order of Niger (MON). In 2017, she was promoted to the rank of Assistant Police Commissioner. Four years later, Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu gave her a three-bedroom apartment in Raji Fashola housing estate, Iponri, to fulfil the promise former Lagos State administrator Olagunsoye Oyinlola made to her for winning a gold medal. 

Agbani Darego 

After studying computer science at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Ibiagbanidokibubo Asenite ‘Agbani’ Darego, MFR, contested and won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 2001. On November 16th of the same year, she represented Nigeria at the Super Bowl of Sun City Entertainment Centre in Sun City, South Africa, for the 51st edition of the Miss World beauty pageant. She reached the semi-finals stage and was eventually crowned Miss World by the one-time beauty queen and Indian actress Priyanka Chopra. This makes Agbani Darego the first black African and Nigerian to win the beauty contest to date.

Kaffy

In 2006, professional dancer, dance instructor, choreographer, and fitness coach Kaffy and her group broke the Guinness Book of Records for ‘Longest Dance Party’ at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon. She and her crew danced for 55 hours and 40 minutes. Kaffy is also the founder and CEO of Imagneto Dance Company, an agency that uses dance to provide entertainment and meet clients’ visions. 

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 

Chimamanda Adichie is well-known for the novels Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006) and Americanah (2013). In 2014, global superstar and entrepreneur Beyoncé sampled the award-winning novelist on Flawless off her eponymous album Beyoncé. The writer’s verse was taken from a ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ speech she delivered at TedxEuston. Beyoncé’s album was nominated at the Grammys for ‘Album of the Year’ in 2015, making Chimamanda the first Nigerian woman nominated for the prize.

Yemi Alade 

After emerging as the winner of Peak Got Talent in 2009, Yemi Alade signed to Effyzzie Music Group. She rose to fame after releasing the hit track Johnny in 2013. In 2015, she became the first Nigerian female artiste to be nominated for the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs). In 2015 and 2016, she won MTV African Music Awards (MAMA) for ‘Best Female’. In January 2019, she became the first female African artiste to hit 100 million views on the video streaming app YouTube for Johnny. And the first female African artiste to reach 1 million Youtube subscribers in July of the same year. Other Yemi Alade songs with high video views include Bum Bum, Na Gode, and Tumbum.

Tiwa Savage 

Tiwa Savage has delivered a streak of hit songs since her debut into the music scene under Mavin Records in 2012. The Afrobeat Queen gave us numbers like Kele Kele, Love Me Love Me, and Eminado from her 2013 album Once Upon Time. In 2017, she released Sugarcane EP. The following year, she became the first Nigerian female artiste to win the award for ‘Best African Act’ at the MTV Europe Music Awards. And the sellout Indigo at the 02 Arena, London, for her ‘The Savage Tour.’ In 2019, Tiwa Savage parted ways with Mavin and signed a recording contract with Universal Music Group. 

Tems 

In 2019, Tems entered the spotlight after releasing her hit song, Try Me. This record fascinated Grammy Award-winner Wizkid, who featured her on the hit record Essence, a track off his 2020 Grammy Award-nominated album Made in Lagos. The following year, Tems’ music career took off again, but on an international level after Drake featured her on his album Certified Lover Boy. In 2022, she secured two BET Awards for ‘Best International Act’ and ‘Best Collaboration,’ making her the first Nigerian female artiste to secure the Award, and two in one night. She also collaborated with some of the biggest global superstars; Future, Beyoncé, and Rihanna.

Her collaboration with Future on Wait For You topped the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first Nigerian female artiste to debut at number 1. The song earned her her first Grammy Award for ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance,’ simultaneously making her the first Nigerian woman to win the prestigious award. Tems is the first Nigerian female artiste to receive a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination for ‘Best Original Song’ after co-writing Rihanna’s Lift Me Up, a soundtrack for Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. 

Tobi Amusan 

Tobi Amusan is a professional Nigerian track and field athlete, skilled in 100 metres hurdles. In July 2022, she broke the world record after clocking 12.12 seconds in the semi-final stage at the Women’s 100m Hurdles in Hayward Field. Eventually, she won a gold medal in the finals, making her the first Nigerian to win the World Athletic Championship. A month after her victory, she received a gold medal for the women’s 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom. She became the first Nigerian athlete to receive a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Last year, Tobi was regarded as the Best African female athlete for her bravery on the track. In February, she, alongside six other athletes, was drafted for the 2023 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. This makes her the first Nigerian to be nominated for the award.

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