The best dancer in Nigeria is Poco Lee, whose real name is Iweh Pascal Odinaka. The Imo State native gained public attention sometime in 2018 after one of his videos dancing in an event hit the internet.
Dancing is significantly a part of the show business wherein people have, over the years, gained fame and success. The Nigerian entertainment industry will be incomplete without dancers. More so, when it comes to dancing, Nigerians are among the top in the world and have created a lot of unique dancing steps that have gone mainstream. Here you will learn about the 10 best dancers in Nigeria.
The Best Dancers in Nigeria
1. Poco Lee is Currently the Best Dancer in Nigeria
Poco Lee’s leg work dance is simply incredible. Watching his dance video will leave you asking how he does the timing of his leg movement to create the most engaging and fun-to-watch legwork dance ever. He was born on 21st November 1996 in Lagos State.
- Age: 27 years old
- Gender: Male
- Best Known For: Leg work dance
Although some sources opine that he started dancing in his childhood days, Poco Lee only came to the limelight in 2018 after one of his dance videos was posted online. The video wherein he was dancing to one of Zlatan Ibile’s in an event gained more popularity after Nigerian social media influencer Tunde Ednut reposted it.
This particular video went so viral, and other celebrities were seen reposting it on their various social media handles. As expected, the video finally caught Zlatan’s attention, which was the beginning of Poco Lee’s dancing career. He is equally a known YouTuber who can boast more than 5k subscribers on his channel, where he uploads numerous dance videos, which usually go viral in just a while.
The young sensational street dancer began featuring in music videos of popular Nigerian artists like 2baba, Tecno, Naira Marley, Burna Boy, and others. In 2020, he was ranked number 3 in a countdown of “top 5 Nigerian dancers leading a movement.” He has gained access to many famous Nigerian musicians like Davido and Burna Boy, which has given him opportunities to share stages with them.
Poco also uses his platforms to promote other dancers and artists to bring them into the limelight. His tutting and popping dancing styles, which are unique and rare, have seen him win some awards, including the Best Dancer award in the Naija Hype Awards (2019). Poco has performed at a couple of international events like “Valentine’s Jamboree Concert in Nairobi, Kenya” and “One African Music Festival in Dubai, UAE.”
He hosted Naira Marley’s concert at the 02 Arena, London. Recently, Poco Lee, alongside other Nigerian celebrities like Nancy Isime, Timini Egbuso, and Osas Ighodaro, was unveiled as a brand ambassador of the new Infinix brand, Infinix Note 10. Furthermore, in an interview with The Nation, the dance star mentioned that he is working on a project that will help unite dancers in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
He expressed his displeasure that Nigerian dancers do not have a body on its own where dance issues are solely discussed. With his record in TV shows, live performances, and commercials, Poco Lee has come a long way in his dancing career and is considered the best Nigerian dancer.
Others that Made the List of Top 10 Best Dancers in Nigeria
2. Kaffy
- Age: 43 years old
- Gender: Female
- Best Known For: Guinness World Record breaker for Longest Dance Party
Though popular as Kaffy, her given name is Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau-Ameh. Born on 30th June 1980, Kayafat is a professional dancer, dance instructor, choreographer, and fitness coach. She began her dancing career in 2002 following a dance rehearsal she performed onstage at the National Stadium.
She was approached by a promoter for a modeling job, and unknown to her, many notable artists graced the event, and they loved her performance. According to Kaffy, the rest is history. A very energetic dancer, Kyafat has featured in many award-winning music videos for notable Nigerian artists in Nigeria and across the globe and has also given dance instructions to artists.
In 2006, she led her dance group to break the Guinness Book of Record for “Longest Dance Party” after dancing for 55hours and 40minutes at a stretch. The queen has also been one of the judges for numerous dance talent shows. In 2017, she created a dance convention, The Dance Workshop, where she trains young minds and professional dancers and promotes cultural exchange within the shores of the Nigerian dance industry.
In 2018, she won a Special Recognition Award for her contribution to the entertainment industry, The Headies. The world-class and long-established Nigerian dancer never ceases to explore new moves by combining different steps to keep it interesting. She is passionate about dancing, which is evident in her dance videos.
3. Pinki Debbie
- Age: 28 years old
- Gender: Female
- Best known For: Guinness World Book record-breaker for Longest Dance Marathon
One of the best dancers in Nigeria, Pinkie Debbie, was born Odumewu Deborah Sunmisola on 3rd October 1995. She is a Guinness World Book record-breaker for the longest dancing marathon. An Ogun State native, Pinki started dancing in childhood, precisely at the age of 6. She drew inspiration from her mum, who always encouraged and supported her.
However, she took off her professional dancing career in 2011 during her days at Covenant University. In 2017, she set the new Guinness book of record for the longest dance marathon by an individual that lasted for 137 hours. She broke the record that stood at 123 hours and 15 minutes, a feat achieved by Kalamadalan Hemaletha in India from 20th to 26th September 2011.
She has a decent Instagram following and never fails to entertain her followers by uploading her unique dance videos. Pinki has worked with many A-list artists and big brands in Nigeria, including Pepsi and Tecno mobile. She has shared the stage with musicians like Zlatan, Mayorkun, Small Doctor, Naira Marley, and others.
4. Lil Smart
- Age: 26 years old
- Gender: Male
- Best known for: Reverse dance
Lil Smart, whose real name is Idowu Smart Emmanuel, is one of the professional best dancers in Nigeria. He is another great and blooming dancer who has established himself in the Nigerian dance industry through his skillful legwork. In addition to dancing, he is a songwriter, model, and comedian.
Smart also has a striking resemblance with Naira Marley, which contributed to the boost he enjoys in his career. Thanks to this present era of social media that does the most in recognizing these promising talents, Smart was only discovered via Instagram by Naira Marley.
He made it to the spotlight in 2019 after he danced to one of Naira Marley’s songs on Instagram. He further got the attention of other celebrities like Tiwa Savage, Davido, and Zlatan. Smart is the creator of the popular Afrobeats reversed dance steps such as Shaku Shaku, Zanku, Tesumole, Kupe, soapy, and Mafa Mafa.
He is very good and skilled at reversing afro dance moves to create a different vibe and is fondly called the Reverse King. Lil Smart has since remained a Marlian (fan of Naira Marley) and has been featured in his music videos. He has also featured in events and music videos of some A-list artists like Davido.
5. Rahman Jago
- Age: 34 years old
- Gender: Male
- Best known for: One of the creators of the original leg work dance
Unlike other dancers who made it to this list, Rahman Jago, whose birth name is Tiamiu Abdulraham Kayode is not a professional dancer but has amazing leg work skills, quite better than some professional dancers. His legwork movements are top-notch that it has afforded him a good spot on the list of best dancers in Nigeria.
He became a sensation when he started trending on Instagram with his dance videos, which were recognized by some top celebrities in the country. The 34-year-old Instagram sensation is just a happy individual who finds joy in expressing himself with his body. He was one of the inventors of the original famous leg work dance.
Whenever you hear ‘Jago ma pami na,’ know that Rahman is holding it down somewhere with his incredible leg works. He is often rated as one of the Nigerian Duba-based big boys. Rahman is also a musician and has two songs to his name; Mo40, featuring Barry Jhay and Bad Boy Timz (2020), and Ijo Ope ft Zlatan Ibile (2018).
6. Zlatan Ibile
- Age: 29 year old
- Gender: Male
- Best known for: Legwork dance
Everyone knows Zlatan Ibile is a famous Nigerian artist, but he deserves a spot on the list of best dancers in Nigeria with his fantastic dancing skills. Zlatan is popular for always dancing in his videos and introducing different legwork dances.
On his Instagram page, he entertains his followers with his dance videos, and fans are always thrilled by them. Zlatan does not need any further relevance as he is already in the spotlight via his music career but is rather the one launching up-and-coming dancers into the limelight.
Zlatan started his music career in 2014 and has today diversified into many other forms of entertainment. After making his way into the music industry with his Zanku track and a new dance routine of the same name, Zlatan has become one of the hottest names in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The Zanku dance became so popular not only in Nigeria but also in some of its neighboring countries like Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, Cameroun, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. His latest invention is the witty palliative dance which is now one of the hottest dance moves in the country.
7. Adedayo Liadi
- Age: 43 years old
- Gender: Male
- Best known for: Olorioko dance
Adedayo Liadi is an internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer who gained prominence with the song Olori-Oko for which he choreographed the dance. He is the creator of the famous Olorioko dance pattern that made waves in Nigeria sometime in the past.
Adedayo is also a dance instructor and director who, through his Ijodee Dance Company, organizes a series of seminars, workshops, and training to help younger dancers. According to the dance star, he started dancing right from his primary school days, and after he finished secondary school, he became sure that dancing was what he was meant to pursue as a career.
In 1992, three years after he left secondary school, a group of white people came to Nigeria from France to teach Nigerian youths how to do the conventional dance. He picked interest and was fortunately among the five who made the final list out of 267 participants. This was the beginning of his international dancing career.
He was later sponsored by the Whites to study dance in France. He returned after his studies and established himself as a professional dancer in Nigeria. Liadi has performed in several big events and shows both within and outside the country, including the Maltina Dance All reality TV show.
8. Lartyf
- Age: N/A
- Gender: Male
Lartyf is a young talented dance artist who has shown that age is not a barrier for him to showcase his great talents. Lartyf has gained decent popularity on Instagram, where he ceaselessly showcases his dance talents. At a young age, he has made a name for himself and has been associated with Wizkid, Olamide, and others. Though an upcoming dancer, he is great and skillful with leg movements.
9. Stephen Papi Ojo
- Age: 25 years old
- Gender: Male
- Best known for: The Blue Man in Beyonce’s music video, Already
Stephen Papi Ojo is a self-taught dancer whose aim is to move African dance to a global audience. He came into the limelight after being featured in Beyonce’s music video, Already. In the video, Papi Ojo was one of the major characters (the blue man) who danced side by side with the female pop star.
He also worked with Beyoncé on her album Black Is King. Papi has since secured more paying dancing roles with top names and brands both nationally and internationally. The celebrity dancer shuffles between Nigeria and America.
He has worked with international brands such as Addidas, The North Face, Beonica Dunn, Lulu Visions, Calla Kessler, and Ashanti Beads. Moreover, on a couple of occasions, he has been hired by Rihanna’s choreographer to teach the music star some dancing steps.
10. Blessedson Tunmise
- Age: N/A
- Gender: Male
One of the youngest best dancers in Nigeria, Blessedson Tunmise, is another Instagram sensation who is not letting age stop him from showing the great stuff he is made of. His fantastic legwork dance talents caught the attention of Poco Lee in 2021 and some other Nigerian celebrities on social media.
Since then, the young talent has been featured in many Nigerian music videos. Although he is still very young, Blessedson has attained impressive status and popularity in the Nigerian dance industry.
List of the Top 10 Best Dancers in Nigeria
Below is a quick recap of the top 10 best dancers in Nigeria.
- Poco Lee
- Kaffy
- Pinki Debbie
- Lil Smart
- Rahman Jago
- Zlatan Ibile
- Adedayo Liadi
- Lartyf
- Stephen Papa Ojo
- Blessedson Tunmise