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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.
A video has shown some members of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (the Izala sect) chanting and demanding AK-47 rifles to shoot Christian infidels in Enugu and Jos, the capital of Plateau.
In the video, a young man dressed in Izala Volunteer Corps uniform, a beige and blue beret colour, chanted, “Give us AK. Give AK. Let’s go to Enugu among infidels on Sunday while they are worshipping. Let’s open fire on them.” Several others chanted along with him in the video.
The chorus leader called for AK-47 rifles to invade churches in Jos.
Sheikh Bala Lau, the national chairman of JIBWIS, on Monday condemned the call for violence by its sect members, urging the State Security Service, the police and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.
A netizen, @Arojinle, said, “That’s Izala’s uniform. I hope the @PoliceNG and @OfficialDSSNG take action before we have another terrorist faction within us. One major problem is that Izala adherents are not in the North alone. They exist in Hausa-dominated microenvironments. I’ve seen their branded bus at Sabo, Ìbàdàn, several times.”
“Just watched a disturbing video of this Izala (JIBWIS) Agaji member singing a gyration song while leading his team, saying, “Give me AK-47 so that I will go to Enugu and kill infidels (arna) on Sunday while they are praying and happy. Give me guns to go to Jos and kill more infidels—that is the Sunnah, that is the training,” @Timmosion said. “You may think this is just music or a joke, but deep down, that is their true mindset. The only thing standing between them and carrying out such thoughts is the secular state and its laws.”
@Abdul_Ahmad said, “With all due respect, this is completely wrong and not part of the teaching of Islam. I’m calling the attention of the Izala 2 leadership under Sheikh Bala Lau and Kabiru Gombe to look into this matter with immediate effect so as not to produce more extremists.”
Police spokesperson Ani Iniedu did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the video.
Osun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has urged Nigerians to vote against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 general elections, accusing the party of failing to demonstrate the capacity to manage the country effectively.
The ADC also dismissed allegations that it had failed to pay its secretariat staff for more than a year, describing the claim as an attempt by the APC to undermine its credibility and portray it as unfit to govern Nigeria.
The party stated this in a statement signed by its Osun State Publicity Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, on Tuesday.
The statement was in response to a statement attributed to the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
“The APC’s attempt to portray the ADC as a party incapable of governing Nigeria is neither an argument based on sound reasoning nor a credible assessment of our capacity to lead,” the statement read.
ADC argued that the ruling party was attempting to divert public attention from the economic challenges facing Nigerians, including rising living costs, insecurity and mounting financial pressures on households and businesses.
“Nigerians are interested in leadership that delivers results, not an administration that issues statements condemning its opponents while struggling to convince citizens that its own record deserves another mandate," it added.
The opposition party also accused the APC Presidential Campaign Council of targeting its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, over issues surrounding salary modulation and outstanding pension obligations during his tenure as Osun State governor.
It criticised the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, and the APC for allegedly reducing Aregbesola’s eight-year administration to a single issue while overlooking its policies on infrastructure, education and other sectors.
Highlighting the administration’s achievements, the ADC said it constructed 170 model schools, comprising 100 elementary schools, 50 middle schools and 20 high schools.
It also cited reduced fees in state-owned tertiary institutions, bursary payments and assistance for medical students undertaking clinical training abroad.
The party said the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, O-YES, created employment opportunities for thousands of young people, while road projects delivered more than 300 kilometres of township roads and 222 kilometres of rural roads through interventions supported by the World Bank and the French government under the Rural Access and Mobility Project.
On healthcare, the ADC said the administration "upgraded or rehabilitated more than nine state hospitals and 12 comprehensive health centres."
It also cited the establishment of the Osun Ambulance Service, alongside the Omoluabi Garment Factory, the O’Clean environmental sanitation initiative and projects aimed at reducing flooding.
The party added that the administration introduced social welfare programmes, including Agba Osun for older residents and O-Widow for widows, while supporting agriculture and food production.
It maintained that it would focus on policy proposals and practical solutions rather than exchanging insults with the APC.
“The time has come for Nigerians to reject political propaganda and demand accountable leadership that prioritises the welfare of the people. We urge voters to use their ballots in the 2027 general elections to decide the ruling party’s political future," it concluded.
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