A new ranking by Nairametrics highlights leading business figures shaping Nigeria’s economic landscape from the Southwest region, cutting across energy, finance, manufacturing, telecommunications, and global technology.
Top 15 Most Influential Business Owners (Southwest Nigeria) According to the report, the following individuals were listed:
1. Tunde Folawiyo
2. Tope Awotona
3. Chief Michael Ade-Ojo
4. Adebayo Ogunlesi
5. Deji Adeleke
6. Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa
7. Kesington Adebutu
8. Razak Okoya
9. Oba Otudeko
10 Folorunsho Alakija
11. Femi Otedola
12. Mike Adenuga
13.Wole Oshin
14.Taiwo Afolabi
15.Jubril Adewale Tinubu
Spotlight: Jubril Adewale Tinubu Jubril Adewale Tinubu, Group CEO of Oando Plc, is recognized for transforming the company into a major integrated energy player in sub-Saharan Africa.
Co-founded Ocean & Oil Group in 1993 Expanded through major acquisitions including Unipetrol Plc and Agip Nig Plc Led upstream expansion via acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian assets (2014) and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (2024) Positioned the company toward energy transition with the launch of Oando Clean Energy Limited in 2021
What the Ranking Reflects
The list reflects:Concentration of economic power in Southwest Nigeria, particularly Lagos Strong dominance of legacy industrialists alongside newer global tech entrepreneurs Cross-sector influence spanning oil and gas, banking, manufacturing, telecoms, and infrastructure Increasing global footprint of Nigerian founders, especially in technology and finance
Key Insight
The ranking underscores a structural pattern: Southwest Nigeria remains the command center of private capital in the country, with business leaders leveraging regional networks, capital access, and international exposure to scale influence across Africa and beyond.
Source: Nairametrics
