By Esther Bassey
TIME magazine has unveiled its 2025 edition of the TIME100 Next, a prestigious list celebrating emerging leaders, innovators, and visionaries across the world who are shaping the future in fields ranging from arts and culture to business, science, and activism.
Among the global changemakers recognised this year are three Nigerians: Afrobeats star Rema, British-Nigerian actor Damson Idris, and Nigerian-American visual artist Toyin Ojih Odutola, whose exceptional talents and groundbreaking contributions to music, film, and contemporary art have earned them a place on the influential list.
The recognition of these Nigerians highlights the country’s expanding influence on global culture, from Afrobeats dominating international music charts to compelling storytelling in film and daring innovation in contemporary art. Each of them is carving out space for Nigerian creativity on the world stage.
Rema: Afrobeats global star
Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, was born in 2000 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
He burst onto the music scene in 2019 with his breakout single Dumebi, which established him as one of Afrobeats’ freshest talents.
Signed under Jonzing World, an imprint of Mavin Records, Rema quickly developed a unique sound blending Afrobeats, trap, and Afro-fusion.
His global breakthrough came with Calm Down (2022), whose remix with American pop star Selena Gomez became one of the most-streamed Afrobeats songs of all time, earning billions of plays and topping international charts.
Beyond chart success, Rema has headlined shows across Europe, America, and Africa, becoming one of the faces of the new Afrobeats generation.
His artistry and global reach make him not just a Nigerian superstar but a leading cultural ambassador for African music.
Damson Idris: Breaking barriers on screen
Born in London in 1991 to Nigerian parents, Damson Idris has risen to become one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
He is best known for his powerful portrayal of Franklin Saint in FX’s hit drama series Snowfall, which ran from 2017 to 2023 and received critical acclaim for its raw exploration of the crack epidemic in Los Angeles.
Idris’ success extends beyond television. He has starred in films such as Netflix’s Outside the Wire and appeared alongside Brad Pitt in F1: The Movie.
His ability to seamlessly move between TV and film has positioned him as one of Hollywood’s most versatile young actors.
His recognition on the list signals not only his rising influence in global cinema but also the growing presence of Nigerian talent in international film.
Toyin Ojih Odutola: Redefining contemporary art
Born in 1985 in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and raised in the United States, Toyin Ojih Odutola has built a reputation as one of the most original voices in contemporary art.
Working primarily with drawing materials such as charcoal, pastel, pencil, and ballpoint pen, she creates layered, intricate portraits that explore themes of identity, family, race, and belonging.
Her art often blends realism with speculative storytelling — reimagining histories and inventing fictional Nigerian aristocratic families in order to challenge traditional narratives of representation.
This combination of technical mastery and narrative depth has made her work stand out on the international stage.
Ojih Odutola’s exhibitions have been featured in some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the Barbican in London, and the Smithsonian.
Her inclusion on the TIME100 Next list is a testament to her being a visionary artist whose practice continues to expand the possibilities of portraiture and visual storytelling in contemporary art.
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