Everything has a price and working your way to being among the top 10 richest people in Nigeria (a country with a population of more than 200 million people), wouldn’t have happened without its own bumps and disappointments, which might have prompted many in our list to have had the thought of giving up on their dream.
Nigeria is blessed with one of the best economies in Africa, with a vast array of rich natural resources which many have invested in and making a name for themselves. And having a large population of over 200 million people makes it no surprise why some of the richest men in Nigeria are also making waves and ranking as some of the top richest people in Africa, and even globally.
Top 10 Richest People in Nigeria
1. Aliko Dangote
Aliko Dangote is the richest man in Nigeria and Africa with a total net worth of $12.1 billion. Dangote is a well-known businessman and philanthropist globally. He is the chairman of Dangote’s Group with active investment in the sugar and cement sector. Dangote is a very close friend of the 4th richest man in the world, Bill Gates, which has made him the number one on our list of the top 10 richest persons in Nigeria.
In 2014 he was awarded Nigerian second highest degree by the former president Goodwill Ebele Jonathan, as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
2. Mike Adenuga
Mike Adenuga is the second richest man in Nigeria with a total net worth of $8.2 billion. The billionaire businessman and philanthropist is well known for his work in the communication and oil sector. He is the CEO of Globacom Nigeria and took advantage of Nigeria’s vast population to having more than 50 million people subscribed to their network.
The communication giants launched in 2008 and have since spread their reach across some African countries, including Ghana, cote d’Ivoire while in a constant battle to displace other network providers as the people’s choice.
He made his first million at the age of 26 making him the 2nd richest person on our list. Mike Adenuga was given the prestigious “Companion of the Star of Ghana” in 2016, for his large investment in the West African country.
3. Abdulsalam Rabiu
Abdulsalam Rabiu is the third richest man in Nigeria with a total net worth of $4.6billion. He is the founder of BUA international limited which was set up in 1988 for trading, which set the company into importing flour, rice, steel, and many others.
BUA Group later extended its business reach and started important iron ore, producing billets, buying OIL MILLS Ltd, having the 2nd largest sugar refinery in Sun-Saharan Africa, and constructing a cement company worth $900m in Nigeria.
4. Femi Otedola
Femi Otedola is the fourth richest man on our list with a net worth of over $1.8 billion. Femi Otedola is the former chairman of Forte oil plc. He has several businesses ranging from real estate, finance, power sector, and also, the founder of Zenom Petroleum and Gas Ltd.
5. Jimoh Ibrahim
Jimoh Ibrahim is the fifth richest man in Nigeria with a total net worth of $1.5 billion. He has carted the list of our top wealthiest Nigerians. The serial investor who is a native of Osun State, Nigeria is the CEO of Global Fleet Oil and Gas,
He harnesses vast investment in other business sectors also including real estate, banking, aviation industry, media, and publishing industry, and many more. He stands 5th on the list and also has a place as one of the billionaires in Africa.
6. Folorunsho Alakija
Folorunsho Alakija is the sixth richest woman in Nigeria with a total net worth of $1.2 billion Who said women can’t rule the world? The 6th on our list of the top 10 richest people in Nigeria is non-other than Folorunsho Alakija who made her name by investing heavily in the oil and gas sector.
Among her roles as the CEO of FAMFA OIL Ltd, she is also the M.D of Rose of Sharon Group and also spreading her business links into the fashion and printing industry.
Her net worth which is estimated to be around $1 billion didn’t just place her on the top 10 list, but also sent her to the very top as the richest woman in Nigeria, and also sits in the 20th position of top African Billionaires according to Forbes.
7. Pascal U. Dozie
Pascal U. Dozie is the seventh richest man in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion. he is the brain box behind so of the top businesses in Nigeria includes Diamond bank, Kunoch Ltd, ADIC Insurance Ltd, and many others.
He had also held the position of the president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and currently owns shares in MTN Groups.
8. Orji Uzor Kanu
The businessman turn politician who was the Governor of Abia State sits pretty on the 8th spot with a net worth of $1billion.
The controversial businessman was convicted for using his position as the Governor to steal from the State for 8 years using his company Slok Nigeria Ltd. He also has investments in oil and real estate.
9. Jim James Ovia
The business guru is the founder of Zenith Bank Nigeria, and also the founder of Visafone communication Ltd before it was later acquired by MTN.
Jim James Ovia has an estimated net worth of $980m and sits number nine on our top 10 richest people in Nigeria in 2021.
10. Hajia Bola Shagaya
Hajia Bola Shagaya is the last on the list is another incredible woman who is worth over $950m. She is a fashion freak and a business mogul having investments in oil and gas, real estate, banking, among others.
She was presented with the title of the Member of Order of Niger (MON) in 2010 by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Married and blessed with beautiful children, Mrs. Hajia Bola Shagaya also stands as the 2nd richest woman in Nigeria.
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If you feel there is anyone missing on the list kindly suggest it in the comment section.