Do you know the richest family in Nigeria? Being a land filled with milk and honey, Nigeria, the most populous Black nation on earth, is blessed with several wealthy people.
But in this article, we’ve written 10 of them for your information. So, if you’ve been asking: “which is the richest family in Nigeria?”, you’d find your answer in this post.
Let’s begin!
The Richest People In Nigeria
This section is like a clue that’ll lead us to the high point of this article — the richest family in Nigeria. Not to worry, you’ll understand better as you read.
Now, some of the richest people in Nigeria are Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola, Folorunsho Alakija, Tony Elumelu, Orji Uzor Kalu, and several others.
The above included a mention of the richest men in Nigeria, as well as the richest women in Nigeria. They all are qualified in terms of wealth and assets as the richest people in Nigeria.
They’ve made their marks in business and entrepreneurship in Nigeria which makes their net worth a fact to be reckoned with in Nigeria and even abroad.
Right now, let’s proceed to the core of the article.
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The Top 10 Richest Families In Nigeria
The richest families in Nigeria successfully pass down their wealth from one generation to the other after them.
That way, their family names have been maintained in the book of the richest in Nigeria. With the richest family in Nigeria identified, find below our list of the top 10 richest families in Nigeria.
1. Dantata Family
Talking about the richest family in Nigeria, think about the richest man in Nigeria, also the richest black African, Aliko Dangote.
The Dantata family, from which Dangote emerged, was built by Alhassan Dantata. He traded common commodities such as Kolanuts and groundnuts. Also, he sold European commodities to the local population.
His son, Sanusi, also inherited his wealth by engaging in the same trading system. And he prospered. Meanwhile, Dangote was the man’s nephew. As an act of kindness, he committed to him some money to begin the same trading in Lagos.
The small business in Dangote’s hands expanded to become one of the biggest in Africa. He diversified. From trading common commodities he veered into producing oil, manufacturing, construction, and production of daily needs.
Today, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, leads the Dantata Family, standing as the richest family in Nigeria. Other members of this household include Abdulkadir, Aminu, and many others.
2. Ibru Family
The Ibru family was notable for their ability to win a legal battle with top personalities of government establishments. As a result, this family isn’t just one of the richest families in Nigeria, it qualifies to be called the most influential.
The Ibru family highly contributes to the growth of the Nigerian economy via the businesses they run. The Ibru Organization, founded in 1956, packs different activities into one. It’s a conglomerate that deals in publishing, shipping, aviation, agriculture, oil and gas, real estate, and advertising.
Micheal Ibru founded the Ibru Organisation. The company began as a trading company. Having gained experience working with United Africa Company, he majored in seafood, particularly. He imports fish from Japan and sells them from behind a large truck.
Today, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 people. And it’s now in different business sectors earlier mentioned.
Other family members include the Ex-CEO of Oceanic Bank (Celicia Ibru), Olorogun, and Oboden Ibru, amongst many others.
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3. Tinubu Family
Talking about the richest family in Nigeria, the Tinubu family is a remarkable figure. Over the years, it has stood exemplary in its ability to balance business with politics.
Formerly led by Abibatu Mogaji, now late, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, popularly known as Jagaban of African, a strategic leader, and South West politician, now administers the family.
Bola Tinubu once served as governor of Lagos State. He’s a multi-investor in various kinds of businesses which includes tax collection, advertising, finance, and infrastructure.
He’s the leading father of Lagos politicians and behind the scenes, he wields political authority and appoints governors for Lagos. He’s built strong political networks and raised many leaders without which his godfatherism won’t be successful.
Other notable figures in the Tinubu family include the founder of OANDO (Adewale Tinubu), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator Mulikat Adeola Akande, and Folashade Tinubu Ojo (Iyaloja).
4. Briggs Family
The Briggs family is one of the richest families in Nigeria. Currently headed by Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, one of the richest men in Nigeria. His wealth was built upon the establishment of Moni Pulo Limited (MPL), a private indigenous oil and gas exploration and production company.
MPL is situated in PortHarcourt with offices in Lagos and London. The company is one of the best in its operational efficiency as it models international standards.
Chief Lulu-Briggs’ wife, Mrs. Seinye Lulu-Briggs, is a businesswoman with a wealth of experience in administrative responsibilities. In addition, she is Chief Executive Officer of Rachael Hotels Limited.
She first served in the civil service for a year before she proceeded to become an office manager at a research center. From there, she went into the financial sector and launched into business.
Another popular rich personality in this family is Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs. He’s a trained lawyer and member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
He was the acting Executive Director as well as Chief Operating Officer of Moni Pulo Limited, from 1995 to 2002.
All of these highlighted personalities are contributors to the wealth of the family. As a result, they ranked for recognition in our list of the top 10 wealthiest families in Nigeria.
5. Folayiwo Family
The Folayiwo family got on the moving train of the richest families in Nigeria with the aid of Chief Wahab Folayiwo.
He studied at the University of North London and returned to Nigeria in 1951. Then, he founded an import and export business named Yinka Folayiwo and Sons.
Later on, the company became the Yinka Folawiyo Group, yet retaining the former name as the parent company. From just an import and export business, it explored businesses in the agriculture, energy, shipping, and real estate sectors.
Chief Wahab Folayiwo was known for being a philanthropist and a giver. He sacrificed time and money for the Muslim community a whole lot. He contributed to the professorial chair of the University of Lagos and transformed the University of Lagos health center into a full-fledged hospital.
After his demise, Tunde Folayiwo, his son, managed his company.
6. Okoya Thomas Family
The Okoya Thomas family is one of the richest families in Nigeria.
Prince Molade Okoya- Thomas masterminded the wealth of his family. Before he died on the 2nd of February 2015, he was the chairman of CFAO Nigeria Limited. His dad served in the same company for 52 years as the first local staff.
In 1981, Prince Okoya studied Accounting at Columbia University, New York City, London. Upon completing his training, he returned to Nigeria to begin his career as an Accountant with CFAO. After some time, he went on to become the chairman.
Okoya Thomas also served as the director of TransCarp Nigeria Limited, NFI Insurance Company Plc, Gateway Bank Plc, and Niger Motors Industries Limited. In addition, he was also the Chairman of Studio Press Nigeria Limited.
Princess Olajumoke Abidemi Okoya-Thomas is another prominent member of substance in the Okoya family. Being a member of the Federal House of Representatives of Nigeria, she represented the Lagos Island I Federal Constituency of Lagos state.
7. Igbinedion Family
In Okada town lives one of the richest in Nigeria – The Igbinedion family. It’s one of the most powerful families in Edo State and generally in the South-South of Nigeria.
Esama of Benin is the father of the family. He is a chief of Bini Kingdom conferred by Oba Akenzua II. It was believed that he was first a police officer before he became a car dealer, first as an employee, till he built his auto care business and took charge of its management.
From there, he went on to acquire a number of other businesses including Kada Air, the popular Igbinedion University, Kada Plaza, and Igbinedion Television
The Igbinedion family has a strong interest in politics. Lucky Igbinedion, the chief’s son, served as Governor of Edo State for 4 years (1999 to 2003).
His daughter, Omosede Igbinedion, currently represents Ovia North Federal Constituency as a Federal House of Representatives lawmaker.
All in all, the Igbinedion family is known to love parties, which are held in various locations. At times, at home or other places where he has investments in real estate such as South Africa or London.
8. Adeleke Family
The Adeleke family amassed greater popularity in 2012, with brothers who broke into the limelight in the Nigerian music industry.
The popular Davido is a member of the Adeleke family. The wealth of the family is the joint effort of three brothers – Adedeji Adeleke, Ademola, and Isiaka Adeleke.
Adedeji Adeleke founded Pacific Holding Limited, the business invests in oil, real estate, banking, and transportation. He also founded Adeleke University, a private tertiary institution in Ede, Osun State.
Known for his playful dancing style, Adeleke represented Osun-West senatorial district. Recently, he won the governorship election and would be sworn in soon, as Osun State governor.
All of these relate to the older generation of the family. However, the younger folks are doing amazingly well in the music and entertainment industry.
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David Adeleke, popular as Davido, is one of the most popular afro-pop stars in these times. Bayo and Sina, his cousins have also attained moderate success in their strides as Nigerian musicians.
9. Danjuma Family
Theophilus Danjuma, one of the richest men in Nigeria, is actually the reason why the Danjuma appeared on our list of the richest families in Nigeria.
Having organized some notable coups, he led the Nigerian army as chief, from July 1975 to October 1979.
Danjuma is the chairman at South Atlantic Petroleum. His younger brother, Musa Danjuma, served as Executive Chairman of Nigeria America Line Limited and Comet Shipping Agencies.
In the second generation of the Danjuma family, Yuki, T.Y Danjuma’s son is the most prominent. He oversees the family’s real estate portfolio as co-founder of Attollo Realties Limited.
All in all, the Danjuma family is one of the richest families in Northern Nigeria.
10. Otedola Family
The Otedola family is one of the richest families in Nigeria. Femi Otedola leads the family, being one of Nigeria’s prominent billionaires.
He’s the founder of forte oil. In addition to this, he is an entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is married and has four children.
Femi is the former chairman of Forte Oil PLC importing different fuel products in Nigeria. He also founded Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd and owned various businesses across real estate, shipping, and finance. One of his recent investments was in the power generation sector of Nigeria.
Femi’s first daughter, Tolani (a singer), was from his relationship with his ex-lover Olayinka Odukoya. Femi later married Nana Otedola and had two more daughters – Florence and Elizabeth. He also had a son by the name, Fewa.
In case you don’t know, the popular DJ Cuppy is Florence, Otedola’s daughter. She’s also a music producer with a unique style. Temi, her younger sister is an actress, and a fashion blogger, and still aspires to be a designer. Otedola owns homes in different prominent cities in Nigeria, including Lagos and Abuja. He also has exquisite buildings in foreign cities of London, Dubai, and New York.
Final Note
The richest families in Nigeria consist of the most influential in society. And of these families is the Dantata family whose net worth has placed them as the richest family in Nigeria. If you’re looking for information about these families, we got you covered.
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