Despite the free fall of Nigeria in critical areas like the economy, security, leadership, and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), many of its citizens have continued to give it a good name and image abroad.

Apart from excelling in their areas of specialty and making their respective families proud, these Nigerians have positioned the country as one with the potential to be great if natural talents and resources are correctly harnessed, encouraged and made to flourish.

Among others, here are seven Nigerians who made Nigeria proud abroad in 2023:

SAHEED ADERINTO

In February, Saheed Aderinto, a Nigerian professor of history and African diaspora studies at Florida International University, United States of America, won the Dan David Prize.

Not only is Aderinto the first Nigerian to win the prize, he is also the first Nigerian to win the largest financial reward for excellence in history.

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The prize is worth $300,000.

While commenting on his achievement, the scholar said the selection committee lauded his work “for situating African history at the cutting edge of diverse literature in the history of sexuality, nonhumans, and violence, noting that it is exceptional to see a single person leading scholarship in all of these fields”.

HILDA BACI

In May, Hilda Baci, a 27-year-old Nigerian chef, broke the record for the longest cooking marathon by any individual in the world.

In the record attempt tagged “Cook-a-thon”, Baci officially broke the record with a time of 93 hours, 11 minutes.

Following a thorough review of all the evidence, the Guinness World Record (GWR) later confirmed her feat.

The Nigerian shattered the previous record for the longest cooking marathon of 87 hours, 45 minutes, set by Lata Tondon, an Indian chef.

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In November, however, Alan Fisher, an Irish chef, surpassed Baci by cooking for 119 hours and 57 minutes at his restaurant in Japan. 

YEMI MOBOLADE

In June, Yemi Mobolade, a Nigerian immigrant, became the new mayor of Colorado Springs, the second-largest city in the western US state of Colorado.

Despite having zero experience in politics, Mobolade defeated Wayne Williams, his closest challenger and a member of the Republican Party by winning 57 percent of the total votes cast.

Going into the election, many electorate members believed the Nigerian stood no chance when he declared he would be running for the position as an independent candidate.

SUPER FALCONS OF NIGERIA

Between July and August, the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

During the competition, the Super Falcons made Nigeria proud by making it past the group stage of the competition without losing a single match.

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The team, however, lost out on penalties to England in a keenly-contested round of 16 match.

ASISAT OSHOALA

On December 11, Asisat Oshoala, Super Falcons and FC Barcelona Femeni striker, won the CAF Women’s Player of the Year title for a record sixth time.

Prior to winning the award, Oshoala had earned a second Ballon d’Or nomination in September. This was after she became the first African woman to be nominated in the female category of the award in 2022.

Asisat Oshoala was a top scorer in the Spanish Primera Division, scoring 21 league goals. She won the Primera Division 2022/23 title, the Supercopa de Espana Femenina 2022/23 and the Champions League 2022/23, all with the same Barcelona team.

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VICTOR OSIMEHN

Just like Oshoala, Victor Osimmhen, Super Eagles and SSC Napoli striker, won the CAF Men’s Player of the Year on the same day (December 11).

Osimhen, 24, scored 26 goals as he helped Napoli win the Serie A title during the 2022/23 season. Osimhen also finished as the highest goal scorer in the league for the 2022/23 season.

The Nigerian and Napoli striker beat Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco to claim the prize.

Osimhen claimed the prize to become the first Nigerian winner since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

IJEOMA UCHEGBU

On December 17, Ijeoma Uchegbu, a Nigerian-born Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience and top-flight researcher, was elected as president of Wolfson College, one of the 31 colleges of the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (UK).

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Uchegbu began her pharmacy studies at the University of Benin in 1981. After this, she bagged her master’s degree at the University of Lagos before moving to the United Kingdom for a PhD programme.

Uchegbu is expected to assume office as the president of Wolfson College on October 1, 2024.