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15 Popular Nigerian Celebrities Who Hail from Jos, Plateau State
Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment scene sports and business has produced numerous iconic celebrities, many of whom share a common bond with their roots trace back to the picturesque city of Jos in Plateau State.
Here, we highlight 15 popular Nigerian celebrities who proudly call Jos their hometown.
- Desmond Elliot: Desmond Elliot, a versatile figure in Nollywood, boasts a career that spans acting, producing, directing, politics, investments, and philanthropy. Born on February 4, 1974, his diverse heritage links his Yoruba father to Olowogbowo, Lagos Island, and his Igbo mother to Illah in Oshimili North, Delta State.
- Sarah Ladipo Manyinka: A British-Nigerian writer with roots in Lagos and Jos, Sarah Ladipo Manyinka was born on March 7, 1968. Her father hails from Nigeria, while her mother is British. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and currently teaches literature at San Francisco State University.
- Patrick Olusegun Odegbami: Patrick Olusegun Odegbami, born on August 27, 1952, is a retired Nigerian football legend celebrated for his precision on the field. Nicknamed “Mathematical” for his unique style of play, he was famous for skillfully running down the touchline with the ball to outmaneuver opponents.
- Bez Emmanuel Idakula: Bez Emmanuel Idakula, born on November 10, 1983, is a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and composer who thrives in the genre of “alternative soul.” This genre seamlessly blends elements of soul, rock, jazz, and R&B. Bez was raised in Jos, Plateau State, and comes from a musically inclined family that immersed him in the sounds of gospel and country music.
- Ahmed Musa: Born on October 14, 1992, Ahmed Musa is a prominent Nigerian professional footballer, excelling as a forward and left winger for the Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr and the Nigerian National Team. His lineage connects his father to Borno and his mother to Edo State.
- Mikel John Obi: Mikel John Obi, born on April 22, 1987, embarked on his football journey in Jos, finding his passion for the sport at Jos Metropolis Township primary School. His talent was further nurtured when he joined the Pepsi football academy at the age of 12, eventually leading to his debut with Plateau United.
- Ogenyi Eddy Onazi: Born on December 25, 1992, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi is a Nigerian footballer renowned for his prowess as a central midfielder. He currently represents Turkish club Denizlispor and the Nigerian national football team.
- Sunday Mba: Sunday Mba, born on November 28, 1988, was a prominent Nigerian midfielder who last played for Yeni Malatyaspor and the Nigeria national team.
- Panshak Henry Zamani: Born on October 30, 1984, Panshak Henry Zamani, known as a Nigerian hip-hop recording artist, rapper, songwriter, and actor, skyrocketed to fame after releasing “Oleku,” one of Nigeria’s most remixed songs.
- Oladayo Okeniyi: Oladayo Okeniyi, born on June 14, 1988, in Jos, Nigeria, is a Nigerian-American actor celebrated for his roles as Thresh in The Hunger Games and Danny Dyson in Terminator Genisys. His family’s heritage ties his father to Nigeria as a former Customs Officer and his mother to Kenya.
- MI Abacha (The Guy): Jude Abaga, born on October 4, 1981, is a multifaceted Nigerian artist recognized for his rap skills, production prowess, songwriting talent, and instrumental proficiency. He served as the CEO of Chocolate City from June 2015 to 2019 and gained early recognition in Jos, Nigeria, with his track “Crowd Mentality.”
- Saint Obi (Late): Late veteran Nollywood actor, producer, and director Obinna Nwafor, born on November 16, 1965, left a lasting legacy with iconic roles in movies like Candle Light, Sakobi, Goodbye Tomorrow, Heart of Gold, Executive Crime, and Last Party. He pursued his education in Theatre Arts at the University of Jos.
- P-Square: Peter and Paul Okoye, born on November 18, 1981, in Jos, represent a dynamic duo in Nigerian music. Though born in Jos, their roots trace back to Anambra State. P-Square’s music has made a resounding impact in Africa, evident through their highly successful concerts across the continent.
- 2Baba: Innocent Ujah Idibia, born on September 18, 1975, in Jos, Nigeria, is a Nigerian music icon renowned for his singing, songwriting, producing, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and activism. He hails from the Idoma ethnic group in Benue State.
- Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu: Born on March 22, 1963, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu is a distinguished economist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He serves as the chairman of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa, and Transcorp, while also founding The Tony Elumelu Foundation.
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Sports247 Take
Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to dominate the sports pages, while Victor Osimhen’s transfer future, NPFL reforms, Commonwealth Games preparations and the race for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage are among the biggest talking points across today’s newspapers.
The average retail price paid by Nigerians for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, rose to ₦1,596.25 per litre in May 2026, reflecting the continued pressure of high fuel costs on households and businesses across the country.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this in its Petrol Price Watch report released on Wednesday, showing that the average pump price increased by 55.31 per cent when compared with ₦1,027.76 recorded in May 2025.
The latest figure also represents a 4.13 per cent increase from the average price of ₦1,532.93 per litre recorded in April 2026.
The data indicate that fuel prices have continued their upward trajectory despite fluctuations recorded in some months over the past year.
A review of the monthly trend showed that the national average stood at ₦1,037.66 per litre in June 2025, then declined to ₦1,024.99 in July and ₦988.25 in August. The average price fell further to ₦970.59 in September 2025, then rose to ₦1,052.31 in October and ₦1,061.35 in November.
In December 2025, the average price eased slightly to ₦1,048.63 per litre and stood at ₦1,034.76 in January 2026. It increased marginally to ₦1,051.47 in February, then surged to ₦1,288.54 in March and ₦1,532.93 in April. The upward trend continued in May, reaching ₦1,596.25 per litre.
Edo records highest price
Across the states, Edo recorded the highest average retail price of petrol at ₦1,722.91 per litre in May.
Bauchi followed, with an average price of ₦1,715.47 per litre, while Benue residents paid ₦1,698.57 per litre.
On the other hand, Adamawa recorded the lowest average price at ₦1,469.83 per litre. Katsina followed closely with ₦1,470.63 per litre, while Sokoto posted an average of ₦1,489.33 per litre.
The figures underscore the wide variations in petrol prices across the country, reflecting differences in transportation costs, supply logistics and market conditions.
South-south leads geopolitical zones
At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,623.84 per litre.
The North-east followed with ₦1,622.76, while the South-East posted an average of ₦1,593.91.
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The North-central zone recorded ₦1,589.92, marginally higher than the South-West’s ₦1,588.96. The North-West had the lowest zonal average at ₦1,564.11 per litre.
The latest report highlights the persistent rise in fuel prices since the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector, with petrol now selling at levels significantly higher than those recorded a year ago.
For many households and businesses, the increase continues to translate into higher transportation and operating costs, adding to broader concerns over the cost of living in Africa’s largest economy.
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