Nigerian Dictionary of National Biography (NDNB.ng)
The Nigerian Dictionary of National Biography (NDNB.ng) is a dynamic, continuously updated online biographical compendium dedicated to documenting the lives and contributions of individuals who have shaped Nigeria’s history, culture, politics, society, and intellectual heritage. The platform brings together authoritative biographical entries on distinguished Nigerians from across eras, backgrounds, and fields of endeavour, creating a comprehensive national record of achievement, leadership, influence, and legacy.
An initiative of the Institute for Historical Studies, Biographical Research, Documentation and Legacy (IHS-BiRD & L), NDNB.ng combines research, historical documentation, and digital technology to preserve and celebrate biographies of figures whose lives reveal Nigeria’s evolving story. From statesmen and activists to scholars, artists, and innovators, the archive makes authoritative life histories accessible to students, researchers, educators, civic institutions, and the public.
What the Project Does
NDNB.ng serves as an open-access digital reference that:
- Researches and compiles biographies of Nigerians who have significantly contributed to the nation’s development and identity.
- Documents historical facts using verified sources and editorial standards.
- Publishes searchable entries online, organised by fields of significance such as state, LGA, governance, civil society, arts, academia, and more.
- Preserves narrative heritage that might otherwise be hidden, scattered, or at risk of loss.
The archive reflects a national belief that every person who has shaped the country’s course deserves to be remembered and studied, not as isolated facts in textbooks, but as rich life stories that inspire civic identity, critical reflection, and historical understanding.
Why It Matters
Biographies do more than tell life stories. They anchor collective memory, offer role models, and contextualise national progress. In Nigeria’s diverse and complex history, the lives of significant individuals reveal patterns of struggle, innovation, resilience, leadership, and cultural change. NDNB.ng ensures these stories are:
- Preserved for current and future generations
- Accessible to learners, researchers, and the public
- Referenced for historical education and policy research
- Recognised as part of Nigeria’s shared identity
By documenting lives from every corner of Nigerian society, the project fosters a deeper, more inclusive understanding of the people who shaped the nation’s past and present.
Vision and Impact
Vision: To be Nigeria’s definitive, open-access national biographical resource — an enduring archive where the stories of influential Nigerians are preserved, celebrated, and made meaningful for learning, reflection, and citizenship.
Mission: To research, document, and publish biographical profiles that collectively articulate the contributions, contexts, and legacies of Nigerians whose lives helped forge the nation’s history and societal evolution.
Impact:
NDNB.ng is transforming how Nigerians engage with national biography by making life histories accessible from anywhere, at any time — strengthening historical literacy, supporting academic research, and promoting a culture that honours the people behind the nation’s progress.
