5 famous people you did not know were of Nigerian descent

Sophie Okonedo

Popular for winning an Academy Award for her role as Tatiana Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda (2004) and nominated for a Golden Globe Award, Sophie Okonedo was born on August 11, 1968, in London to a Jewish Pilates teacher and a British-Nigerian who worked for the government. She began her career in 1991, featuring in Young Soul Rebels before appearing in other blockbuster movies between then and 2002.

She has won numerous accolades, including NAACP Image Award, Tony Awards, British Independent Film Award, and BAFTA TV Award for her role in drama series Criminal Justice in 2009.

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Okonedo was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours, and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2019 New Year Honours.