Nigeria is home to a number of leading businesses in various industries. Some personalities have been the reason behind these blooming businesses.
This list mentions top eight leading business owners in Nigeria in no particular order.
Aliko Dangote
Founder and Chairman of the Dangote Group, a conglomerate with interests in cement, sugar, salt, flour, and other commodities. He is considered the richest man in Africa.
According to Forbes, Dangote’s net worth is $13.5 billion, which makes him the 133th richest in the world. He was the first Nigerian on the Forbes’ 2460 individual billionaires in its 2023 Billionaires list.
Mike Adenuga
Mike Adenuga is the Founder and Chairman of Globacom, a Nigerian telecommunications company, and Conoil, an oil exploration company.
According to Forbes’ world billionaires released in April 2023, Adenuga occupied 429th position of the 2460 individuals that made the list.
Femi Otedola
Founder and Chairman of Forte Oil, a petroleum marketing company. He is also a philanthropist and one of the richest men in Nigeria.
In 2016, he was worth $1.8B according to Forbes, occupying position 1011 on the rich list. He, however, dropped off the list in 2017.
Tony Elumelu
Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, a private investment firm. He is also the former CEO of United Bank for Africa.
Tony Elumelu, a versatile entrepreneur who has garnered worldwide recognition, was valued at $700 million in 2015. He was the 31st of the 50 richest in Africa as of 2015.
However, as of 2021, Tony Elumelu’s net worth was estimated to be around $1.4 billion according to Forbes.
Jim Ovia
Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest banks. He is also a philanthropist and the founder of the Jim Ovia Foundation.
As of 2021, his net worth was estimated at $1.3 billion, according to Forbes.
Aside from his work in banking, Ovia is also a philanthropist and has established the Jim Ovia Foundation, which provides financial assistance to disadvantaged students in Nigeria to pursue their education.
He is also a member of various international organizations, including the Clinton Global Initiative and the World Economic Forum.
Abdulsamad Rabiu
Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in cement, sugar, flour, and other commodities.
Rabiu is one of the richest people in Africa and has been included in Forbes’ list of Africa’s Billionaires multiple times.
According to Forbes’ Real Time Billionaires List as of April 16th, 2023, Abdulsamad Rabiu has a net worth of $5.6 billion.
Herbert Wigwe
Herbert Wigwe is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest banks.
He has been recognized for his contributions to the Nigerian banking industry and has won several awards for his leadership and innovation.
According to Forbes’ Real Time Billionaires List as of April 16th, 2023, Herbert Wigwe has a net worth of $1.3 billion.
Folorunso Alakija
Founder of Famfa Oil, an oil exploration company. She is also a philanthropist and one of the richest women in Africa.
According to Forbes’ September 2021 estimates, Alakija’s net worth stood around $1.1 billion.
