The likes of Meghan Markle, Lil Wayne, and more are proud to identify as Nigerians, considering the results of these laboratory results.
Today, we chose to celebrate these renowned lost cousins who found it worthy to acknowledge their long-lost roots in Nigeria
Meghan Markle
The Duchess of Sussex and former actress, Meghan Markle, recently opened up on her genetic heritage, revealing that she is 43% Nigerian.
She made this known in the latest episode of her podcast, Archetypes, where she expressed her desire to learn more about her roots.
The news excited Nigerians after it went viral last Tuesday.
Lil Wayne
In February 2020, African-American rapper, Lil Wayne, has said that he is 53 per cent Nigerian.
He said this during his chat with hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN as a guest on the “Drink Champ” show that airs Revolt TV.
According to him, an ancestry test conducted by a website he shared some of his details on proved that he’s more Nigerian than American.
Forest Whitaker
Born in Longview, Texas, the multiple award-winning actor said his ancestral heritage has been traced back to the Igbo tribe in Nigeria.
A DNA test has shown that his mother had Akan ancestry, while his father was of Igbo descent.
In 2018, he arrived at his hometown in Nkwerre community in Imo State, where he was conferred with a chieftaincy title.
Bishop TD Jakes
Popular American preacher, Bishop T.D Jakes of the Potter’s House, after a DNA test discovered that his ancestors are from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria.
Speaking on the discovery in 2020, Jakes said, “Mine was traced back to West Africa, to Nigeria and particularly Igbo. My ancestors were Igbos. It’s indescribable. It gives something that we the African-Americans don’t have, which is roots.
“It gave me an understanding of my roots. It was interesting to see how similar my personality is to how Igbo people are described. They’re described as hardworking, industrious and innovative.”
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, better known by his stage name Nas, is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. He is the son of popular jazz musician and guitarist Olu Dara, of Yoruba origin. Nas’ dad was originally born Charles Jones III on January 12, 1941, in Natchez, Mississippi. He studied at Tennessee State University, and that was where he traced his roots to the Yoruba people in Nigeria. The rapper’s dad changed his name to Olu Dara after a Yoruba priest renamed him during a trip to Nigeria. The veteran started his music career in 1991 and released his debut album, Illmatic, in 1994. He won his first-ever Grammy in 2021, snagging the Best Rap Album category. Nas is popularly known for tracks like “Hate Me Now” and “Ether”. In 2008, he visited Nigeria for the Soundcity Music Video Awards (SMVA), where he presented the award for “Best Hip-Hop Video”.