Dual citizenship simply refers to the fact that you are a citizen of more than one country, either by birth or via other means. There are several celebrities in Nigeria who are citizens of other countries by birth, naturalisation, parents, or marriage. In this Weekend Magazine feature, Daily Trust Saturday lists a few Nigerian celebrities who have dual citizenship.
Asa
Asa, professionally known as Bukola Elemide, is a Nigerian-French singer, songwriter and recording artiste acclaimed for her work in the Pop and Indie pop genres, performed in Yoruba, French, and English. Recognized as one of the top singers in Nigeria, she holds dual French-Nigerian citizenship. Born on September 17, 1982 in Paris to Nigerian parents, Asa’s family later relocated to Nigeria when she was two. Despite her parents’ roots in Itoku, Ogun State, Nigeria, Asa spent her formative years in Lagos. After 18 years, Asa returned to Paris, where her artistic journey flourished. This marked the beginning of her successful career as a renowned artiste.
Davido
David Adedeji Adeleke aka Davido was born on November 21, 1992, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He went to the British International School in Lagos but later moved to the United States to study Business Administration at Oakwood University in Alabama. However, Davido left Oakwood University to focus on his music career and went to London to improve his singing skills. In 2011, he returned to Nigeria and, to honour his father’s wishes, decided to put his music career on hold and attend Babcock University. In July 2015, he graduated with a music degree from Babcock University after his father made a donation to start a music department, making Davido the first student in the inaugural class.
Banky W
Banky W, also known as Olubankole Wellington, was born on March 27, 1981, in New York, USA. Even though he was born in the United States, his family moved to Nigeria when he was five years old. He began singing when he was young in his church choir. Banky W went to school in Lagos for both his primary and secondary education. Later on, he got a scholarship to study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. Besides being a well-known and award-winning singer, he’s also an actor.
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Dorcas Shola Fapson
Dorcas Shola Fapson, born on January 4, 1991, in North London, United Kingdom, is a Nigerian actress and TV presenter renowned for her portrayal of ‘Sophie’ in MTV’s Shuga. Returning to the MTV Shuga series in 2020, Fapson played a key role in addressing coronavirus issues, with filming taking place across multiple African countries. Despite being British-Nigerian, Fapson spent a significant part of her life abroad before relocating. Her academic journey led her to earn a degree in Criminology in England, followed by acting studies in New York. Fapson has showcased her talent in various acclaimed movies and series, including Banana Island Ghost, My Wife and I, The Essence, Hustle, and Castle and Castle.
Seyi Shay
Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua aka Seyi Shay is a singer and actress known for Afropop music. She was born on December 21, 1985, in Tottenham, London, which makes her a UK citizen., Seyi Shay started coming to Nigeria at the age of two and later attended Command High School in Maryland, Lagos. After her time in Nigeria, Seyi Shay went back to London to finish her university studies. She graduated from the University of East London with a degree in Music Business Management. In 2018, she played the main role as Lara in the popular movie “Lara and the Beat.”
Lilian Bach
Renowned Nigerian actress and model Lilian Bola Bach hails from Lagos Island – born to a Yoruba mother and a Polish father, giving her a distinctive Polish-Nigerian heritage. Due to her father’s profession, she experienced a diverse upbringing, residing in different regions of the country during her early years. Lilian attended the Army Children’s School in Port Harcourt and later pursued her education at Idi Araba Secondary School in Lagos. During her academic journey, she briefly focused on Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos, reflecting her early interest in the performing arts.
Shan George
Born on April 21, 1970, in Ediba, Cross River state, Shan George is a multifaceted figure in Nollywood, excelling as an actress, singer, film producer, and director. Her diverse heritage includes a Nigerian mother and a British father. Before making her mark in the film “Thorns of Rose,” Shan George gained recognition for her role in the 1997 soap opera, “Winds of Destiny.” A graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, Shan ventured into film production during her final year, creating her debut movie, “All for Winnie.” In 2010, she expanded her artistic repertoire by releasing her inaugural studio album, “Dance,” receiving acclaim from music critics.
Uche Jumbo
Born on December 28, 1979, in Abia State, Nigeria, Uche Jombo is a versatile Nigerian actress, screenwriter and film producer. Having acquired dual citizenship through her marriage to Kenny Rodriquez in 2012, their union reportedly ended after the birth of their son. Uche Jombo holds a degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Calabar, as well as a background in Computer Programming from the Federal University of Technology Minna.
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