* Northern Nigeria:
* Usman dan Fodio: He was a Fulani scholar and religious leader who founded the Sokoto Caliphate in 1804. He established a system of Islamic schools known as madrasahs, which provided education in Islamic law, Arabic, and other subjects.
* Abdullahi Bayero: He was the Emir of Kano from 1926 to 1953 and played a key role in promoting Western education in Northern Nigeria. He established several schools, including the Kano School for Arabic Studies and the Kano Law School.
* Western Nigeria:
* Thomas Babington Macaulay: He was a British colonial administrator who served as Governor of Sierra Leone from 1834 to 1835. He is considered the founder of modern education in Nigeria. He introduced a system of English-language schools and established Fourah Bay College, the first university in sub-Saharan Africa.
* Nnamdi Azikiwe: He was a Nigerian nationalist, journalist, and politician who served as the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. He was also a strong advocate for education and established several schools and universities, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
* Eastern Nigeria:
* Alvan Ikoku: He was a Nigerian educationist and politician who is considered the father of modern education in Eastern Nigeria. He founded several schools and colleges, including the Aggrey Memorial College, Arochukwu, and the Eastern Nigerian University, Enugu.
* Michael Okpara: He was the Premier of Eastern Nigeria from 1959 to 1966 and played a key role in promoting education in the region. He established several schools and universities, including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Sports
* Northern Nigeria:
* Ibrahim Babangida: He was a Nigerian military officer and politician who served as the President of Nigeria from 1985 to 1993. He was a keen sports enthusiast and played a key role in promoting sports in Nigeria. He established the National Sports Commission and hosted several international sporting events, including the All-Africa Games in 1987 and the FIFA World Cup in 1994.
* Adokiye Amiesimaka: He was a Nigerian footballer who played as a striker. He was a member of the Nigerian national team that won the African Cup of Nations in 1980 and was also part of the team that participated in the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
* Western Nigeria:
* Obafemi Awolowo: He was a Nigerian nationalist, statesman, and politician who served as the Premier of Western Nigeria from 1954 to 1959 and as the Federal Commissioner for Finance from 1967 to 1971. He was a keen sports enthusiast and played a key role in promoting sports in Nigeria. He established the Western Nigerian Sports Council and hosted several international sporting events, including the All-Africa Games in 1973.
* Teslim Balogun: He was a Nigerian footballer who played as a striker. He was a member of the Nigerian national team that won the African Cup of Nations in 1957 and was also part of the team that participated in the 1968 Olympic Games.
* Eastern Nigeria:
* Sam Okwaraji: He was a Nigerian footballer who played as a midfielder. He was a member of the Nigerian national team that participated in the 1988 Olympic Games. He died on the pitch during a World Cup qualifier match against Angola in 1989.
* Christian Chukwu: He was a Nigerian footballer who played as a defender. He was a member of the Nigerian national team that won the African Cup of Nations in 1980 and was also part of the team that participated in the 1982 FIFA World Cup.