Category: Politics & Business

Herbert Wigwe co-founded Access Bank in 2002 and built it into Nigeria’s largest bank. He died in a helicopter crash in Nevada on 9 February 2024 alongside his wife, son, and former CBN governor Abubakar Jimoh. His net worth at death is estimated at $400-800 million.

Atiku Abubakar is Nigeria’s most persistent presidential candidate, having contested the presidency five times. He served as Vice President under Obasanjo (1999-2007) and founded the American University of Nigeria in Yola. His net worth is estimated at $1.5-2.5 billion.

Jim Ovia is the founder of Zenith Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest and most profitable banks, which he established in 1990 on a technology-first model. He also founded Visafone (sold to MTN in 2015) and Africa Fintech Foundry, and authored Africa Rise and Shine (2021).

Mike Adenuga is the founder of Globacom (Glo) and Nigeria’s second richest person with a Forbes-estimated net worth of $6-7 billion. Known as “Bull”, he is one of Africa’s most private billionaires and disrupted Nigeria’s telecoms market in 2003 with per-second billing.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the first woman and first African to serve as WTO Director-General. A Harvard and MIT graduate, she served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister twice and spent 25 years at the World Bank before taking the top WTO role in March 2021.

Tony Elumelu, chairman of UBA, Transcorp, and Heirs Holdings, and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Full biography from Jos to copier sales to the 2005 UBA merger, plus 2026 net worth.

Femi Otedola, founder of Zenon Petroleum, former Forte Oil chairman, and Geregu Power chairman. Son of former Lagos Governor Sir Michael Otedola, father of DJ Cuppy and Temi Otedola. 2026 biography.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 16th President of Nigeria since May 2023, former Governor of Lagos State, co-founder of the APC. Neutral biography from Chicago accounting to the presidency.

Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group and the Lekki Refinery, is the wealthiest Black individual in the world. Full 2026 biography from Kano childhood to $32.5bn net worth.

Nnamdi Okwu Kanu, founder of IPOB and former director of Radio Biafra, was sentenced to life imprisonment on 20 November 2025 by a Nigerian court. A neutral, sourced biography.