Burna Boy, Central Cee, Other Notable Celebrities Who Converted to Islam and Their Muslim Names
- With over 1.8 billion adherents, Islam is one of the most popular religions not just in Nigeria but across the world
- Some popular figures in the Nigerian and the world's entertainment industry are known to have embraced the Islamic faith
- Some celebrities also made waves over their conversion to Islam, including taking up Muslim names
- In a chat with Legit.ng, a Muslim scholar spoke about steps to convert to Islam
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Numerous high-profile celebrities, athletes, and musicians in the world have converted to Islam, with UK rapper Central Cee being the latest to join the list.
The Nigerian entertainment industry is also not left out as there have been a number of popular stars who took the shahadah (testification that God is one and Prophet Muhammad is His servant and messenger) and stood firm by their decision.
Source: Instagram
Some converted to Islam due to marriage, personal spiritual journeys, a search for purpose, and other reasons best known to them
Ahead of this year's Ramadan fasting, Legit.ng came up with a list of some prominent figures who converted to Islam and took up Muslim names
1. UK rapper Central Cee opens up on converting to Islam
In 2026, British rapper Central Cee opened up about a major turning point in his personal life, as he announced his conversion to Islam, leaving fans surprised.
According to the rapper, the decision marked a new spiritual chapter for him, and it also came with a change to his identity. He changed his name “Oakley” to Akil/Aqeel.
“I just changed my name and took my shahada, I am a Muslim now,” he said during the livestream, as friends around him congratulated him.
Before the announcement, Central Cee had never publicly declared a specific religion.
Source: Instagram
2. Why Burna Boy converted to Islam
Grammy Award winner Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, in 2025 disclosed that he had converted from Christianity to Islam because of his search for truth.
In an interview with streamer Playboymax, he explained that the more he researched religious books to find meanings, the more confused he became.
Some fans, while welcoming him to Islam, suggested a new Muslim name, AbdulKareem, meaning “Servant of the Most Generous (Allah)” for the singer.
Source: Instagram
3. Priscilla Ojo leaves Christianity for Islam
Priscilla Ojo, daughter of movie star Iyabo Ojo, converted to Islam from Christianity, according to her Tanzanian husband, Juma Jux.
Jux, who is a Muslim, married Priscilla in 2025, in lavish ceremonies that took place both in Nigeria and Tanzania.
Following her marriage to the Tanzanian singer and conversion to Islam, Priscilla Ojo is now known as Hadizah or Hadiza Mkambala.
Source: Instagram
4. Mercy Aigbe converted to Islam because of her husband
Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe, admitted converting to Islam because of her husband, Kazim Adeoti, also known as Adekaz, shortly after their marriage.
The actress and her husband sponsored a Ramadan lecture in March 2023, where she spoke about accepting Islam and disclosed her Islamic name, Hajia Minnah.
Source: Instagram
5. Mo Bimpe switches to Islam
Adebimpe Oyebade, aka Mo Bimpe, a popular Yoruba actress, switched to Islam when she married her Muslim colleague, Lateef Adedimeji, in 2021 and officially announced her Islamic name, Rahmatullah.
She disclosed that her parents initially opposed their marriage due to religious differences. Her father specifically questioned her marrying a Muslim, but the couple were allowed to proceed with their marriage after the actor met with her parents.
Source: Instagram
6. Faithia Balogun was a devout Catholic
Faithia Balogun, now known as Fathia Williams, was born into a Roman Catholic family, but her past marriage to actor Saidi Balogun made her change her faith.
She converted to Islam and adopted the Muslim name Faithia. In 2016, she was honoured with a chieftaincy title, ‘Atesin’se Adinni’, in Ijebu, Ogun state.
Source: Instagram
7. Liz DaSilva takes up a Muslim name after marriage
Like many of her colleagues on this list, the Yoruba actress converted from Christianity to Islam due to her marriage to her husband, Alhaji Olaoye.
She also changed her name to Aishat after they welcomed their first child together, named Raheem. According to her, the reason for her conversion was to show the world that she had a great relationship with her child’s father.
What to know about conversion to Islam
According to a Muslim scholar, Ismaeel Ibn Hamzah,
"Entering Islam is simple and based upon belief and testimony: Steps: Belief in the Oneness of Allah (Tawḥīd). Belief that Muḥammad ﷺ is the final Messenger. Pronouncing the Shahādah sincerely:
“I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” After this, the person becomes Muslim and gradually learns prayer, purification, and Islamic obligations. No ceremony or intermediary is required."
Actor Jamiu Afeez addresses alleged conversion
Legit.ng previously reported that Yoruba actor and filmmaker Jamiu Azeez addressed online speculations that he had converted from Islam to Christianity.
The rumours stirred up online after he posted a video of himself in a white garment church he attended a crossover service.
Responding to the criticism he faced, the actor shared how some people also stormed his private messages over his alleged conversion.
Defending himself, Jamiu said that he had the freedom to practise any religion of his choice. He, however, added that he had never openly come out to say he had converted, yet people criticised him.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
