Obafemi

Obafemi is a Yoruba given name used in Nigeria and by Yoruba-speaking communities in West Africa. It is primarily a male name and is sometimes found as part of longer Yoruba names. In addition to its use as a personal given name, Obafemi can appear as a surname in some cases.

Notable people named Obafemi include Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987), a Nigerian nationalist and statesman who served as premier of the Western Region and was a key figure in Nigeria’s path to independence. Another well-known bearer is Obafemi Martins (born 1986), a Nigerian professional footballer who has played for clubs such as Inter Milan, Newcastle United, and Seattle Sounders.

The name also appears in the nomenclature of a major Nigerian university, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), located in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The institution was established as a university and later renamed in honor of Obafemi Awolowo, making the name widely associated with higher education in the country.

Contextually, Obafemi remains part of Yoruba naming traditions, reflecting cultural patterns that honor lineage, status, or notable figures. As with many Yoruba names, its resonance often extends beyond the individual, linking families to historical and cultural legacies.