Powerful Media recently released its power list, an annual publication that showcases and provides a platform for Britain’s most influential people of African, African Caribbean and African American heritage for 2026, with Nigerians featuring prominently on the list.
Here are the most powerful Nigerians in Britain for 2026.
Tunde Olanrewaju MBE
Tunde Olanrewaju is the managing partner for Europe and a senior partner in McKinsey’s London office. He previously served as managing partner for McKinsey’s UK, Ireland, and Israel offices. Tunde is also a member of McKinsey’s shareholders council, the firm’s board of directors.
Tunde was one of the leaders who helped create McKinsey Digital, using design, software engineering, analytics, and product capabilities to support clients on digital transformation, new businesses and application of data analytics and AI at scale in his previous role as the firm’s global chief technology and platform officer.
Tunde holds a first-class master’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Imperial College London. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025 for services to business.
Steven Bartlett
Steven Bartlett was born in Botswana to an English father and Nigerian mother before moving to Plymouth, UK, as a child. He is a successful investor, author, and host of The Diary of a CEO podcast.
With 25 million followers, 10-plus million YouTube subscribers, 60-plus million monthly views and more than one billion streams, the show is the first podcast hosted by a black Briton to cross the billion-stream mark and holds the title of Europe’s number one podcast.
His debut book, Happy Sexy Millionaire, became a No. 2 Sunday Times bestseller in its publication week in March 2021, and its follow-up, The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business, Marketing and Life, became the fastest-selling self-development book and topped the Sunday Times bestseller chart following its release in 2023. Steven co-founded Flight Group – a media, marketing and investment company including Flight Fund, Flight Ventures, and Flight Tech.
Ije Nwokorie
Ije Nwokorie is the CEO of global footwear brand Dr Martens. This summer, he unveiled a new strategy that will see the company focus on shoes and sandals as well as its world-famous boots, insisting the “narrow focus” had failed to take advantage of other areas of the business.
Prior to joining Dr Martens, Ije was senior director at Apple Retail, Apple’s direct-to-customer (DTC) arm, where he played a key role in driving meaningful connections between customers and the Apple brand. Before that, he was CEO at global brand consultancy Wolff Olins, leading the group’s offices in London, Dubai, New York, and San Francisco.
Ola Fadipe
Ola Fadipe is a senior director at Google and an HR leader with more than two decades of experience shaping global talent strategies. She currently oversees talent acquisition across APAC, India, and EMEA, responsible for more than 50% of Google’s annual hires.
She first joined Google in 2019, as senior director of talent acquisition for EMEA, before rising to global head of performance management and, since May 2023, senior director of people experience.
Ola Fadipe also serves as an independent non-executive director at accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP. Prior to her career in tech, Ola had significant experience in financial services and consulting, particularly at BlackRock, where she was the firm’s chief talent officer for EMEA.
Segun Osuntokun
As the first global senior partner at international law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), Segun Osuntokun works closely with the global CEO, board, and leadership team.
He was promoted to the role at the start of 2024 from his position as UK managing partner. He also serves as the head of the firm’s civil fraud litigation practice and has acted for state governments, energy companies, and international conglomerates on complex disputes and claims involving elements of dishonesty, fraud, or corruption.
Segun also heads BCLP’s Africa practice, and many of his cases relate to or originate from jurisdictions in sub-Saharan Africa. Clients he has represented include the African Development Bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Tokunbo Ishmael
Tokunboh Ishmael is co-founder and managing director of Alitheia Capital, a female-led pioneer in impact investing private equity firm managing hundreds of millions of dollars to invest at scale in small and growing businesses across Africa to achieve financial, economic, and social returns.
She leads Africa’s largest gender-lens private equity fund and manages more than US $300 million. Under her leadership, the firm’s portfolio has expanded across 20 countries, supporting tech and fintech pioneers such as Paga, MAX.ng, and SparkMeter, and agrobusiness industry giants such as Psaltry, the largest producer of sorbitol in West Africa.
Kene Ejikeme
Kene Ejikeme is the first person of African heritage in Goldman Sachs’ history to be promoted to partner in Europe. A former professional rugby player, he is head of high-touch execution in EMEA at the global giant, having been appointed partner in 2023.
He joined Goldman Sachs in 2004 as an analyst in the listed derivatives business in London and was named managing director in 2013 and partner in 2022. Previously, Kene served as head of multi-asset platform sales, head of marquee sales in EMEA and head of emerging markets execution.
He is a co-sponsor of the EMEA Black Network and a member of the Inclusion and Diversity Committee (IDC) and the Global Banking & Markets IDC.
Frank Okoisor
Frank Okoisor serves as Deputy Chief People Officer for Toyota’s $1 billion multinational tech arm, where he drives a high-performance, inclusive, and purpose-driven culture across the organisation.
Appointed in May, he oversees aligning company values with business strategy, fostering employee engagement, and promoting a globally diverse workforce to support sustainable growth and innovation.
Prior to this role, Frank was CEO of Toyota Connected’s European operations, a division established six years ago to develop software enabling Toyota’s shift from automotive to mobility services. He previously served as VP of People and Innovation at Toyota Motor Europe (TME), where he led Project Phoenix, a cultural transformation program promoting transparency, feedback, and a sense of belonging.
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, MBE
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon is a trailblazing leader in STEM, inspiring countless young women and girls worldwide to pursue their love of science, tech, engineering and maths.
She is the founder of STEMettes, launched in 2013, inspired by her realisation that, as a University of Oxford maths and computing science postgraduate, she was part of a depressingly small minority of females. Since STEMettes’ inception, the organisation has exposed more than 73,000 girls across Europe to its vision for a more diverse and balanced science and tech community.
She was the first ever black woman to co-host the hit TV show Countdown, having presented 60 episodes of the Channel 4 favourite in 2022. In 2017, she was awarded an MBE for services to young women and the STEM sectors.
She serves as the Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, co-chair of the Institute for the Future of Work and Chair of UD Music Foundation.
Her debut book, She’s in Ctrl: How Women Can Take Back Tech, was published by Penguin in September 2022. Described as a ‘powerful and inspiring call to action’, it asks: ‘Why are women so under-represented in the tech world? Why does this matter? And what can we do about it?’
Aji Akokomi
Aji Akokomi is the founder of the Michelin-starred restaurant Akoko, hat takes diners on a journey through different West African regions, “exploring history and unveiling the rich tapestry of flavours.”
The high-end Fitzrovia establishment earned its prestigious Michelin rating in 2024. The Michelin Guide praises Akoko for its tasting menu format and “refined, beautifully balanced dishes underpinned by quality ingredients, many of them cooked over fire.” The jollof rice is described as “truly knock-out.”
In November 2023, Aji opened his second restaurant, ‘Akara’, beneath the arches in Borough Yards.
Tosin Akinluvi
Tosin Akinluvi is Managing Director and Head of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Macro Research at multinational investment bank Morgan Stanley, and serves on the firm’s EMEA Operating and Global Research Operating Committees.
She boasts more than 25 years of international finance experience and a proven track record in strategy, business development, management, and leadership.
She holds a BSc in Economics from the London School of Economics, an MA in Development Economics from Sussex University, and an MBA in Finance and Economics from Columbia Business School in New York.
Andrew ‘Rapman’ Onwubolu
Andrew ‘Rapman’ Onwubolu has been a pivotal force in developing Black talent both on and off screen. His breakthrough came in 2018 when his three-part mini-series Shiro’s Story became an overnight sensation, racking up over a million views within five hours of its being uploaded. It went on to reach 10 million views on YouTube.
Hip Hop superstar Jay-Z promptly signed the East Londoner to his Roc Nation management company. He released his first feature film, Blue Story, in 2020, and the Paramount-distributed film made history as the highest-grossing ‘urban’ film of all time in the UK, surpassing the likes of Noel Clarke’s Kidulthood. Recognised for his contributions, he was awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to drama and music.
In 2024, Rapman reached a significant milestone with his Netflix series Supacell, which he created, wrote, and directed. The Sci-Fi series quickly climbed to the number one global spot on Netflix. Following this success, Netflix green-lit season two, and the series went on to win a BAFTA award for best scripted casting.
Patricia Bright
Influencer and entrepreneur Patricia Bright is a globally known British beauty, fashion and lifestyle sensation with more than five million social media followers to her name.
She has hosted a Hillary Clinton-backed YouTube series, been showcased on Forbes.com and collaborated with huge brands from Mac to Dior. At the end of 2023, she launched her own diverse hair care brand, UWA.
The company has also partnered with Hair Reborn, a charity that offers support, advice and free hair-styling services to those experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment.
Dr. Comfort Ero
Dr Comfort Ero is a global expert in conflict resolution, peacekeeping, mediation and the politics and international relations of Africa. She has spent her entire career working with conflict-affected countries.
In 2021, she was appointed president and CEO of Crisis Group, the international think tank working to prevent wars. Since taking on the post, escalating conflicts have broken out in Ukraine and in Israel and Gaza, making her role more charged and vital than ever.
Comfort has been invited to brief the United Nations Security Council, the European Union’s Political and Security Committee and has appeared on the same panel as the African Union Commission’s chair. Last year, she was awarded the Sir Brian Urquhart Award from the United Nations Association UK, “for her dedicated work on peace and security issues.”
Alex Okosi
As managing director of Google Africa, Alex Okosi oversees the global tech giant’s operations and strategic direction across the continent. With more than 27 years’ experience spanning technology, media, and entertainment, Alex is dedicated to expanding digital access, fostering innovation, and equipping Africa’s next generation of internet users with essential tools.
At Google, Alex champions initiatives that accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. His leadership has steered the company’s focus on responsible AI development to improve healthcare, the introduction of agricultural technologies to bolster food security, and robust support for startups and small businesses.
He was appointed to the post in September 2023, having previously been managing director for YouTube’s Emerging Markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Dr. Joy Odili
A leading consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr Joy Odili, serves as the skin cancer clinical lead at the UK’s largest skin cancer unit at St George’s University Hospital, London.
Dr Joy’s clinical expertise spans aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the ear and breast, vascular malformations, and post-bariatric body contouring. A recognised voice on skin cancer, she has also been a member of the UK government’s Melanoma Taskforce.
Bernadine Evaristo
Booker Prize-winning author and academic Bernadine Evaristo has won international acclaim with a string of best-selling novels centred on the African diaspora. Last autumn, an eight-part BBC adaptation of her book Mr Loverman hit British TV screens and went on to reach a global audience this summer via Britbox.
It broke new television ground as a portrayal of older Black, gay male love and marital betrayal, receiving a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and scooping two BAFTAs in May – best leading and best supporting actor to Lennie James and Ariyon Bakare, respectively.
In 2019, she became the first Black woman and Black British person to win the prestigious Booker, with her bestselling novel Girl, Woman, Other.
Austin Daboh
Austin Daboh was awarded an OBE for services to music in 2025. He has an unrivalled ear for talent and a roster that features the likes of Stormzy and Drake. Austin is also the force that helped Burna Boy become the first Afrobeats artist ever to land a British no.1 album, with his smash hit I Told Them…
A highly respected former BBC Radio 1Xtra, Spotify, and Apple Music exec, his previous milestones have included developing Apple’s Agenda playlist brand, helping to drive Spotify to become the world’s most recognised streaming service, and, most notably, developing and launching playlist brands.
Yemi Edun
London-based property entrepreneur Yemi Edun continues to pair an exceptional real estate portfolio with wide-reaching philanthropic and cultural work.
His property group, Daniel Ford & Co, manages around 850 properties in central London, while Daniel Ford International, his acquisition consultancy, has sourced and acquired nearly £1 billion worth of residential real estate for private clients.
Alongside helping clients “own a piece of London,” Yemi has increasingly contributed to shaping the city’s skyline through his expanding development arm, Daniel Ford Developments.
Adejoke Bakare
Adejoké (Joké) Bakare is a British-Nigerian chef and the first Black woman in the UK to gain a coveted Michelin star.
Named one of the Financial Times’ most influential women of the past year, her thrilling culinary talent can be experienced at Chishuru in Fitzrovia, the restaurant she opened in September 2023 after earning acclaim for a Brixton pop-up of the same name.
Specialising in modern West African cuisine, Joké draws on her Nigerian heritage while incorporating a range of regional culinary styles. Chishuru’s signature dishes include sinasir, moi moi, and ekoki.
KSI
From winning early fame on YouTube, KSI (Olajide Olatunji) has gone on to establish himself as a formidable influencer, pro boxer, and musician, with a colossal online following of more than 75 million.
He has nine Top 10 songs and a chart-topping album – 2021’s All Over the Place – to his name, along with four BRIT nominations. KSI (‘knowledge, strength, integrity’) is a co-founder and member of the British YouTube group known as the Sidemen, as well as CEO of Misfits Boxing and the co-owner of the cult hit drink Prime Hydration, XIX Vodka, and a restaurant chain known as Sides.
Funmi Adegoke
Funmi Adegoke is an executive board member and CEO of the Safety Technology division at Halma plc, the FTSE 100 manufacturing company with a market capitalisation of £10 billion. The safety tech business accounts for 40% of the group’s revenues and comprises a global portfolio of companies across four continents, protecting people, assets, and infrastructure in commercial, industrial, and public spaces.
Funmi was previously Group General Counsel at Halma plc, a role she took on in 2020, establishing her as the only Black Group General Counsel on the FTSE 100 at the time. A qualified barrister, she is part of an elite group of legal leaders who have gone on to lead substantial P&Ls and sit on the group executive teams of the UK’s largest listed companies.
Cynthia Erivo
Award-winning Brit actress and singer Cynthia Erivo dazzled in the 2024 movie adaptation of smash hit musical Wicked, playing the lead of Elphaba alongside Ariana Grande’s Glinda. The performance earned her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for best actress, and the movie raked in a staggering $755.9 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing musical film adaptation of all time.
Notably, it wasn’t her first Oscars rodeo – in 2019 she was up for a best actress gong for her role playing abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the film Harriet, and a best song award for Stand Up, which she co-wrote and performed. Cynthia is a star of both screen and stage, having scooped a Tony, Grammy, and Daytime Emmy for her performance as Celie in the 2015–17 Broadway revival of The Colour Purple.
Justin Onuekwusi
As group chief investment officer at the UK’s largest wealth manager, St James’s Place (SJP), Justin Onuekwusi has overseen a more than 100% leap in share price – returning the firm to the FTSE 100. With more than 20 years’ experience in the investment management industry, he oversees £190bn of assets, ensuring optimal fund performance and strategic investment decisions that impact one million clients.
He is a founding member of #TalkAboutBlack, an initiative created to drive diversity and increase Black representation in the corporate sphere. He founded EnCircle, a mentoring network connecting industry newcomers with senior Black professionals. He also serves as a panel member of the Premier League equality, diversity, and inclusion standard (PLEDIS), promoting equality within football clubs, including the 20 Premier League clubs.
Eva Omaghomi
Following a distinguished 17-year career in the royal household, including as the King’s first-ever director of community engagement, Eva Omaghomi has taken her career to new heights by founding her own elite strategic communications agency. One of her first clients is the Hollywood star Idris Elba.
Eva was a key member of the royal household, playing a pivotal role at landmark events. She began in 2007 as a press officer for the then-Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, and Prince Harry. Her tenure has seen her lead cultural strategies for milestone moments such as the King and Queen’s Coronation, state visits to more than 60 countries, and historic engagements with presidents Obama, Trump, Xi Jinping, and global icons including Nelson Mandela.
She was instrumental in orchestrating the King’s first outgoing state visits to France and Kenya and has played a pivotal role at events such as COP Summits, Commonwealth Games, and incoming state visits from key global leaders.
Dr. Raphael Sofoluke
Dr Raphael Sofoluke is a serial entrepreneur, author and visionary founder of a string of transformative and influential initiatives, including the UK Black Business Show, UK Black Business Week, Birmingham Black Business Show, Black Tech Achievement Awards in the UK and US, and Soar, the first bank-backed membership platform for black entrepreneurs.
This year, he has announced plans for a new groundbreaking venture aiming to create 1,000 black multi-millionaire investors, which he pledged will change the landscape for the black community in the UK and globally.
Damson Idris
The Peckham-born actor previously won global acclaim for his breakthrough role in 1980s-set US drama series Snowfall, in which he played Franklin Saint, a young drug kingpin and head of a crew of crack cocaine dealers based in South Central LA. Damson played the co-lead in Netflix’s 2021 sci-fi action film Outside the Wire and has also starred in films alongside Liam Neeson (The Commuter) and Kate Beckinsale (Farming).
He studied drama at Brunel University and continued his studies at the Identity School of Acting. He had several parts on British series, including Miranda (2013), Doctors (2015), and Casualty (2015). Idris had his first big screen part in 2016 in the British thriller City of Tiny Lights, starring Riz Ahmed.
Bolaji Sofoluwe
With two decades of expertise and experience in Africa and the UK to her name, Bolaji Sofoluwe has a proven track record of strategically positioning businesses – from start-ups to established corporates – to thrive in complex African markets.
As co-founder and managing director of UK-based ETK Group Ltd, Bolaji has led ETK’s consultants to help global companies make connections in 32 African countries to date. Bolaji is an export champion for the Department for International Trade, a coach on the Mandela Mile, a mentor for Innovate UK Edge and an angel investor in a small portfolio of female-led African businesses.
Chioma Nnadi
Chioma Nnadi had big shoes to fill when she took over from Edward Enninful to head up British Vogue. But she has more than stepped up to the challenge, with The Washington Post this year proclaiming her one of the top 50 cultural trailblazers helping to shape society today.
Nnadi was named British Vogue’s head of editorial content in September 2023 after working for 13 years at American Vogue. She had joined American Vogue in 2010, having previously worked at music magazine The Fader. Now relocated back to London, Nnadi launched her first edition in April 2024 with singer FKA Twigs (“the woman of the moment”) as cover star. Subsequent covers have featured the diverse likes of SZA, Bella Ramsey, Tyla, and Billie Eilish.
