Nigeria’s economy is home to some of Africa’s most influential and wealthy entrepreneurs, whose business empires span manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, finance, technology, and infrastructure. Based on the most recent wealth estimates and business rankings, here are the top 10 richest businessmen in Nigeria in 2025:
Aliko Dangote – $14.2 billionDangote tops the list as Nigeria’s richest man. As founder of the Dangote Group, his interests include cement, sugar, salt, and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery — the largest single-train refinery in Africa.
1Abdul Samad Rabiu – $8.3 billionFounder of the BUA Group, Rabiu has built one of Nigeria’s largest industrial conglomerates with major stakes in cement, sugar, and oil & gas. Afriklens
Mike Adenuga – $6.5 billionAdenuga’s wealth comes from telecommunications and oil. He is the founder of Globacom and has interests in Conoil and other sectors.
Femi Otedola – $2.2 billionKnown for his investments in energy and finance, Otedola’s holdings include stakes in power generation and banking institutions.
Tony Elumelu – $1.5 billionA veteran investor and entrepreneur, Elumelu’s wealth stems from banking, investments, and his leadership at Heirs Holdings and the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Jim Ovia – $1.2 billionFounder of Zenith Bank, Ovia is one of Nigeria’s most respected figures in the banking sector.
Arthur Eze – $1.1 billionA key player in the oil and gas industry, Eze leads Atlas Oranto Petroleum, one of Africa’s largest privately owned oil explorers.
Orji Uzor Kalu – $1.0 billionA businessman with ventures in real estate and manufacturing, Kalu is also a former governor and political figure with significant commercial interests.
Benedict Peters – $950 millionAs founder of Aiteo Group, Peters is a major name in Nigeria’s energy sector, with notable oil and gas holdings.
Pascal Dozie – $800 millionA telecommunications and finance sector veteran, Dozie helped build Airtel Nigeria and has held leadership roles in key financial institutions.
These individuals represent the diversity of Nigeria’s private sector, with fortunes rooted in both local and global markets. Their contributions span job creation, infrastructure development, and investments that influence national economic trends.
Source: Afriklen
