10 Most Richest Families In Nigeria

In this article I will be sharing with you 10 most richest families in Nigeria. Political power, trade and a lot of oil businesses make up some of Nigeria’s richest families. Growing up in a family that is very wealthy in Nigeria means you are born with silver spoon. Nigerians know the distinct sound and mannerisms of wealth. We also recognize familial wealth, the kind of financial power and the attendant respect that certain families command here in Nigeria.

A fair number of these families are built around public figures that made their wealth in the early years of Nigeria’s history. Today, these families control wealth, the economy and power in Nigeria. So therefore, after a careful study and research I present to you 10 most richest families in Nigeria.

1. The Ibru Family

The Ibru Family is one of the richest families in Nigeria. The Ibru Family is from the town of Ughelli in Delta State, Nigeria. The family’s original bread winner was Chief Peter Ibru. His son, Michael Ibru inherited his wealth and also founded the Ibru Organization, an umbrella firm that manages the family’s future businesses and assets. Chief Peter Ibru was a pioneer in distributing frozen fish in Nigeria, a trade which is worth billions in naira every year. Through acquisitions and joint ventures, he grew the original organization to have interests in brewing, construction, petroleum, agriculture and industry. The family owns Oceanic Bank which later merged with Eco Bank and Aero Contractors. The Ibru family also own Guardian Newspapers, Federal Palace Hotel and Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Delta State, with massive real estate investments across Nigeria.

2. The Dangote Family

The Dangote family is the richest family in Nigeria. The bread winner of the family is Aliko Dangote who is currently the richest black man and a great business tycoon. The Dangote family wealth begins with Chief Al-Hassan Dantata who lived through the height of colonial rule, which is from 1877 to 1955. Dantata was the great-grand father to Aliko Dangote and was a Northern Nigerian trader in kola nuts and ground nuts and also a distributor of European goods. He was one of the major suppliers of raw materials to large British trading companies with business interests in other West African countries. Dantata’s company supplied large British trading companies with raw materials and also had business interests in the Gold Coast. At the time of his death, he was one of the wealthiest men in West Africa. The most notable in the family right now is Aliko Dangote who is the great-grandson to Dantata.

3. The Igbinedion Family

The Igbinedion family is one of the richest families in Nigeria hidden in the town of Okada in Edo State in the south southern part of Nigeria. The family’s bread winner is the Esama of Benin, a chief of the Bini Kingdom who was conferred by Oba Akenzua II. He is said to have started off as a police officer before becoming involved in the car business, first as an employee and later as head of his own auto car outfit. It was from here that he spread his span, starting off a ring of businesses, including the now-defunct Okada Air, Igbinedion University, Kada Plaza and Igbinedion Television. His son, Lucky Igbinedion was a former Governor of Edo State, from 1999 to 2003. His daughter, Omosede Igbinedion currently serves in the Federal House of Representatives, as the lawmaker representing Ovia North Federal Constituency.

4. The Adenuga Family

The Adenuga family is one of the richest families in Nigeria. The family’s original bread winner is Mike Adenuga who is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Globacom Telecommunication Network popularly known as GLO. He is the second richest man in Nigeria. His company Globacom is the second-largest telecom operator in Nigeria and has a presence in Ghana and Republic of Benin. Born on 29th April 1953 in Ibadan, Oyo State in the south western part of Nigeria, Mike Adenuga is currently 65 years old. He completed his primary school education at Ibadan Grammar School and his secondary school education at Comprehensive High School in Ibadan. After that he proceeded to Northwestern Oklahoma State University in New York, United States of America and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. After which he obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pace University in New York, United States of America.

5. The Tinubu Family

The Tinubu family is also one of the richest families in Nigeria. The family name is one that commands heavy respect in most circles in Lagos State. The bread winner of the family is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was a former governor of Lagos State and the owner of oriental hotel, a five star hotel located in Victory Island, Lagos. His mother, Chief Abibatu Mogaji was a wealthy Lagos trader and businesswomen as well as one of the most influential community leaders. Prior to her death in 2013, she was the President-General of the Association of Nigerian Market Men and Women. Ahmed Tinubu spent most of his professional life as an Executive at Mobil, before starting his political career in 1992. Ahmed Tinubu also owns several real estates in Lagos.

6. The Adeleke Family

The Adeleke family is one of the richest families in Nigeria. You may have been excused of not knowing the Adeleke family before 2012, that is when Davido, B-Red, Sina Rambo and the dancing senator have changed that. The Adeleke family is built around the band of brothers; Adedeji Adeleke, Ademola Adeleke and Isiaka Adeleke. Adedeji Adeleke, being the eldest brother is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Holdings Limited which has investments in real estate, banking, transport and oil. He is also the founder of Adeleke University, a privately-owned tertiary institution in Ede, Ondo State, Nigeria. He is also the father to Nigerian music star Davido. His younger brother Ademola Adeleke is a former scholar and a Senator representing Osun-West Senatorial District. While the youngest brother Isiaka Adeleke is late. The family’s younger generation is more involved in music and entertainment. David Adeleke AKA Davido is one of the biggest afro-pop stars of his generation. Bayo and Sina, his cousins, have also enjoyed moderate success as musicians.

7. The Abiola Family

The Abiola family is one of the richest families in Nigeria. Decades after the death of its bread winner, the well-loved M.K.O Abiola in the late 1990s. The Abiola family is still one of the wealthiest families in the country, a feat considering how big the family is and the fact that most of its wealth is a function of the personal wealth MKO Abiola amassed in his lifetime. Before deciding to run for office in 1993, MKO Abiola was seen as the wealthiest man in Nigeria. His effusive philanthropy was matched by the extent of his business investments, stretching from banking, finance and education to transport, publishing and oil and gas. Since his death, his children have continued to expand and enjoy their father’s wealth. The most prominent of them, is Kola Abiola who managed what is left of his father’s companies. However, he chooses to maintain a low profile.

8. The Otedola Family

The Otedola family is one of the richest families in Nigeria. The bread winner of the family is Femi Otedola who is the chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Forte Oil PLC, an importer of fuel products. He is also the founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, and the owner of many other businesses which include shipping, real estate and finance. He has recently invested in power generation as part of the liberalization of the sector in Nigeria. He is currently the third richest man in Nigeria. Born on 4th November 1962 in Ibadan, Oyo State in the south western part of Nigeria. Femi Otedola is currently 55 years old. Femi Otedola is currently the proud father of Nigerian famous female DJ and musician, DJ Cuppy. Femi Otedola is the son to late Sir Michael Otedola, the former Governor of Lagos State from 1992 to 1993 during the Nigerian military regime.

9. The Danjuma Family

The Danjuma family is one of the richest families in Nigeria. The bread winner of the family is Theophilus Danjuma, who is one of the most influential persons in Nigerian history. After participating in some of the more notable coups, he was Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army from July 1975 to October 1979. Theophilus Danjuma is the chairman and chief executive officer of South Atlantic Petroleum. His younger brother, Musa Danjuma, has his hands in trade and shipping and is currently the Executive Chairman of Nigeria America Line Limited and Comet Shipping Agencies. His son Yuki Danjuma manages the family’s real estate portfolio as the co-founder of Attollo Realties Limited. The Danjuma family is one of the wealthiest families in Nigeria.

10. The Briggs Family

Straight from the heart of the oil-rich Niger Delta, the Briggs family is one of the wealthiest families in the region and the country at large. The family’s bread winner is Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs. He is one of the wealthiest Nigerians alive. Most of this is traced to his ownership of the private oil and gas exploration and production company, known as “Moni Pulo Limited.” According to Forbes, Moni Pulo Limited was awarded its first oil block in 1992 when the Nigerian president at the time, Ibrahim Babangida, was encouraging indigenous participation in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. The company currently has oil blocks in Ondo state, Abia state and Akwa-Ibom state. Along with his wife, Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs funds the O.B Lulu Briggs Foundation, which provides humanitarian services to rural communities. The Briggs family is one of the wealthiest families in Nigeria.