This article reveals some Nigerian billionaires many people hardly knew were stinking rich.
We have seen many popular
billionaires in Nigeria like Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga or Mrs.
Folorunsho Alakija. But, there are still many others who are shy of the
limelight.
1. Jimoh Ibrahim – Nicon Insurance, Global Fleet
The story of Jimoh Ibrahim cannot fail to inspire anyone treading
the path to become successful in life. Born to poor parents with about
17 siblings on 24 February 1967. He became a millionaire when he was
still studying law at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)
running seminars for local governments on Taxation. In 2002/2003 he
contested for the governorship position of Ondo State but lost and he
went on to start Global Fleet – a petroleum marketing company. Today he
has grown to become one of Nigeria's billionaires and his investments
include the following sectors, among others: oil and gas distribution,
hotels, resorts, airlines, banking, real estate, insurance, publishing
and investments. He delivers free lectures once a month at Excellence
Hotel in Ogba, Lagos through City People on how Nigerians can make
millions from any business they venture into.
Chief Ade Ojo
2. Chief Ade Ojo – Elizade Motors Nig LTD, Distributor of Toyota cars
Chief Michael Ade Ojo was born on June 14, 1938 and was one of the
pioneer students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated
from with a degree in Business Administration in 1965. In 1975, he
cofounded Elizade Independent Agencies, with his late wife, Chief (Mrs.)
Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo. The name originated from the first four letters
of his wife's name "Eliz" as well as the first three letters of his own
name "Ade." Today, the company has grown into ELIZADE Group of Company
with as much as seven subsidiaries. He is also solely involved in the
construction of a polytechnic; Elizade Polytechnic, Ilara Mokin which is
aimed at giving the average Nigerian child quality education.
Jim Ovia
3. Jim Ovia – Banking and Communications
Mr. Jim Ovia was a co-founder of Zenith Bank Plc and he served as
its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for 10 years. In
July this year, he returned as chairman of Zenith Bank Group and he
remains the bank's largest individual shareholder with a 9.3% stake. He
is also the founder of Visafone Communications Limited and in August
2014, he started construction on a $1.5 billion petrochemical complex in
Akwa-Ibom in Nigeria. He is a holder of he Member of the Order of
Federal Republic (MFR).
Chief Raymond Dokpesi
4. Chief Raymond Dokpesi – Daar Communication, AIT
Born in Ibadan, Oyo state on the 25th of October 1951, Chief
Raymond Dokpesi is the founder and chairman of DAAR Communications
Limited. He launched Nigeria's first independent radio station,
Raypower, in 1994 and two years later he also launched the first
Afrocentric Global Television Station, Africa Independent Television
(AIT). AIT is Africa's first broadcast station to transmit from and
into the United States of America.
Dr Pascal Dozie
5. Pascal Dozie – MTN Nigeria, Diamond Bank
Pascal Dozie was born to a country court interpreter in Owerri Imo
state on April 9, 1939. He established Diamond Bank which commenced
operations in 1991 and the multi-billionaire has once revealed in an
interview that the first customer was his wife. He pioneered electronic
transfers in Nigeria to enable traders transfer their cash easily
without having to carry it around. The real source of his wealth came
when a South African cellphone company, MTN partnered with him to setup a
cellphone network in the Nigerian market. Taking the huge risk at the
time, he raised the necessary funds with MTN completing the rest and
today Nigerians can attest to the success of MTN Nigeria. He is
currently Chairman of MTN Nigeria and is a founding partner of Africa
Capital Alliance, the first Nigerian private equity fund manager.
Leo Stan Ekeh
6. Leo Stan Ekeh – Zinox Computer
The chairperson of Zinox Technologies Limited, Leonard Stanley
Nnamdi Ekeh was born on February 22, 1956 in Ubomiri Mbaitoli of Imo
State. He is fondly referred to as Bill Gates of Nigeria because of his
exploits in the field of information technology. The astute business man
used his school fees to start his business several years ago, a
decision which made him miss sitting for his LLM in Business Law which
he spent more than a year to prepare for. He started Task Systems Ltd,
which is now one of the companies under the Zinox Group. In addition to
Zinox, he has been involved with companies like ICT Brokers, TD Plus,
ICT Connect and Buyright AFRICA Dotcom.
Prince Samuel Adedoyin
7. Prince Samuel Adedoyin – Doyin Group
Samuel Adedoyin is a Kwara born businessman and the founder of
Doyin Group of Companies. The Doyin Group of companies is a conglomerate
that is wholly indigenous comprising of 15 subsidiaries. He started out
as a small trading business before growing into a conglomerate. The
group's business interests spans manufacturing, real estate, banking,
hospitality and energy.
Oba Otudeko
8. Oba Otudeko – Honeywell Group Nigeria
Oba Otudeko is the founder and chairman of Honeywell Group as well
as the chairman of Airtel Nigeria, and Fan Milk of Nigeria. He was born
on the 18th of August, 1943 and he is one of Nigeria's most successful
investor and entrepreneur. He retired as the Chairman of First Bank of
Nigeria Plc after 12 years on the Board of the Bank. Between September
2006 and August 2009, he was the 16th President and Chairman of Council
of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. His conglomerate's operations stretch
across oil and gas, flour milling, real estate and marine
transportation.
Fola Adeola
9. Fola Adeola – GTBank
Tajudeen Afolabi Adeola is a businessman and politician and he
alongside Tayo Aderinokun established Guaranty Trust Bank in 1990 which
he managed as director/CEO up till July 2002. The bank became listed on
the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1996. He retired from the bank in 2002
after twelve years. He is a member of the Commission for Africa, the
founder and chairman of the FATE Foundation a non-governmental
organisation which aims to encourage entrepreneurship through trainings,
mentoring, loan support and consulting to support young Nigerians.
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