Nigerian traditional leaders are some of the most important people when it comes to the government of the people. Nigerians also show the highest form of respect to their traditional rulers and other key people in the Nigerian traditional system of ruling.
These Nigerian traditional rulers are wealthy and also extremely powerful in their various territories and this plays a vital role in their affluence. On special occasions, these kings are meant to be visible to the public and one major noticeable thing is the kind of highly expensive cars/convoys they use.
If you’ve been asking questions Who is the richest Nigerian king or traditional right now? or Who are the richest kings in Nigeria? then you’re reading the right article as we would be covering that in a moment.
Richest Kings In Nigeria Right Now
1) Oba Obateru Akinrutan
- Estimated Networth (Forbes) – $300 Million
- Age – 65 Years
- Date of Birth – 1950
- Title – Olugbo of Ugbo
- Kingdom – Ugbo Kingdom, Ondo State
Oba Fedrick Obateru Akinrutan is a Nigerian monarch who is the ruler of the Ugbo Kingdom located in Ilaje local government in Ondo State, South-Western Nigeria. According to Forbes Magazine, Obateru Akinrutan is the richest king in Nigeria with an estimated networth of over $300 Million.
Obateru was born in 1950 into the royal family of Sir Frederick Adetolugbo at Ugbo, a riverine area in Ilaje. He is one of Nigeria’s most respected monarchs and not only is he a traditional ruler, but this king is also an outstanding businessman in Nigeria.
His business ranges from oil and gas, real estate, etc. He is also the owner of the popular Obat Oil which was established in 1981. This particular oil and gas company owned by this monarch currently has more than 50 gas stations across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
According to Wikipedia, Obat Oil owns one of the largest tank farms in Africa. It is a modern storage facility that is currently able to store over 65 million liters of petroleum products.
Obateru also drives a custom-built 2012 Rolls Royce which according to some online media houses, is similar to that of Queen Elizabeth II. He also once revealed in an interview with a popular online newspaper – DailyPostNG that he owns a wristwatch worth around $1 million.
2) Sultan Sa’adu Abubakar
- Estimated Networth – $100 Million
- Age – 63 Years
- Date of Birth – August 24, 1956
- Title – Sultan of Sokoto
- Kingdom – Sokoto Caliphate
Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar is another powerful Nigerian monarch and one of Nigeria’s richest kings right now. He is the most powerful traditional ruler in Northern Nigeria and as the leader of the Sokoto Caliphate, he is regarded as the leader of over 59 Million Muslim faithful in Nigeria.
He was formerly a military officer who headed a presidential security unit of the Armoured Corps that guarded then military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida in the late 1980s. He also served as the Defence Attaché to Pakistan from 2003 to 2006 amongst many other military operations both in Nigeria and outside the shores of the country.
He became the Sultan of Sokoto after his senior brother died in a plane crash en route Sokoto from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja. He retired as a Brigadier General in the Nigerian army and since then, he has devoted his time to serving the people of Sokoto state and Muslims all over Nigeria.
The Sultan also has many investments in Nigeria and outside the country. He is one of the first-class kings in Nigeria and he is one of the highly placed kings in the country.
3) Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
- Estimated Networth – $80 Million
- Age – 58 Years
- Date of Birth – 31 July 1961
- Title – Emir Of Kano
- Kingdom – Kano
Occupying the third spot on this list of the richest Nigerian kings is Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who is the 14th Emir of Kano and a well-known Islamic scholar. Before he became the Emir of Kano, Sanusi was a banker and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and was appointed on the 3rd of June, 2009 for a five-year term.
He was suspended from office by the then President of Nigeria – Goodluck Jonathan on 20 February 2014 after he accused the federal government of a $20 billion fraud in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Sanusi is the grandson of Muhammadu Sanusi I, the 11th Fulani Emir of Kano and in 2011, Times Magazine listed him on its list of the 100 most influential people for the year. He was also honored with an award at the third Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) which was held in Dubai for his advocacy in promoting Islamic banking and finance while his tenure lasted as the governor of Nigeria’s Apex bank, CBN.
He is one of the most respected kings in Nigeria and he is said to have an estimated networth of over $80 Million. The Emir also once revealed that he earns over N14 million in a year as salary from the Federal Government of Nigeria.
4) Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan
- Estimated Networth – $70 Million
- Age – 45 Years
- Date of Birth – 17 October 1974
- Title – Ooni of Ile-Ife
- Kingdom – Ile-Ife Kingdom
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan (Ojaja II) is a Nigerian monarch and the traditional ruler, or Ooni, of the Yoruba kingdom of Ile-Ife located in Osun State, South-Western Nigeria.
He is one of Nigeria’s youngest and well-respected traditional leaders and he assumed the post of the Ooni of Ile-Ife in 2015.
This Nigerian traditional ruler completed his primary and secondary education in Ibadan. He then proceeded to the Ibadan Polytechnic where he graduated as an accountant.
He is a well-educated individual and an expert in the field of accountancy. Oba Adeyeye is currently a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and an Associate Accounting Technician. He also holds several honorary doctorate degrees from some notable Nigerian tertiary institutions.
5) Oba Ewuare II Ogidigan
- Estimated Networth – $65 Million
- Age – 66 Years
- Date of Birth – 20 October 1953
- Title – Oba of Benin
- Kingdom – Benin Kingdom
Oba Ewuare II Ogidigan is the crowned Oba of Benin city in Edo State, Nigeria. He is one of the most respected Nigerian monarchs currently and he is also an incredibly rich Nigerian traditional leader.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Benin city, Edo state, and later proceeded to the University of Wales where he graduated with a degree in Economics. Ewudare also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University Graduate School, New Jersey, the USA alongside other honorary doctorate degrees has received from some Nigerian institutions.
Before his ascension to the throne as the crowned Oba of Benin Kingdom, Ewuare worked at the United Nations between 1981 and 1982. He also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Angola and Sweden, with accreditation to Norway, Denmark, and the Republic of Finland. He was also Nigeria’s Ambassador to Italy
He is one of the richest kings in Nigeria with an estimated networth of $65 Million. He also has some local and international investments to his name.
6) Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe
- Estimated Networth – $50 Million
- Age – 78 Years
- Date of Birth – 14 May 1941
- Title – Obi of Onitsha
- Kingdom – Onitsha
Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe is a Nigerian traditional ruler and the crowned Obi of Onitsha Kingdom in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria.
Before he was crowned as the Obi of Onitsha in 2002, Alfred Achebe worked in the banking industry and served as the executive director of Shell Petroleum company. He currently serves as the chairman of the board of Directors of Unilever Nigeria, and the Chairman of International Breweries (ABInBev) Nigeria
The Obi of Onitsha is also the Chancellor of Ahmudu Bello University, Zaria and he was formerly the chancellor of Kogi State University. He is a very rich and well-educated individual and the most respected Nigerian monarch from South-Eastern Nigeria.
7) Oba Lamidi Adeyemi
- Estimated Networth – $40 Million
- Age – 81 Years
- Date of Birth – 18 November 1970
- Title – Alaafin of Oyo
- Kingdom – Oyo Kingdom
Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III is the Alaafin (traditional ruler) of the ancient Yoruba kingdom of Oyo located in Oyo State, Nigeria. He was crowned as the traditional ruler of the Oyo Kingdom after Alaafin Gbadegeshin Ladigbolu II left the throne in 1970.
The Alaafin of Oyo is one the wealthiest Nigerian kings and one of the most respected kings in Yoruba Land – South-Western Nigeria. Before becoming the traditional ruler of the Oyo kingdom, Lamidi Adeyemi was an insurance clerk and a boxer. He has declared many times that he is a lover of boxing and he wished he could continue the sports.
8) Oba Riliwan Aremu Akiolu
- Estimated Networth – $40 Million
- Age – 76 Years
- Date of Birth – 18 November 1970
- Title – Oba of Lagos
- Kingdom – Lagos
Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu who was born on the 18th of November 1970 is the current Oba of Lagos. He attended Ansar-Ud-Deen College located in SUrulere, Lagos State and he attended the University of Lagos where he graduated with a degree in Law.
After his university education, Oba Riliwan joined the Nigerian Police Force in 1970 and served for 32 years in various capacities. He was promoted to assistant inspector-general of Police in 1999 and was active until his retirement in 2002.
Right Now, the Oba of Lagos is one of the richest kings in Nigeria and also one of the most respected kings in South-Western Nigeria. His palace is said to be worth 2 billion Naira and he is also a first-class traditional ruler and one of the most powerful kings in Africa.
9) Godfrey Emiko
- Estimated Networth – $30 Million
- Title – Olu of Warri
- Kingdom – Warri Kingdom
Godfrey Emiko who is the crowned traditional ruler of the Olu of Warri is one of Nigeria’s richest traditional rulers and he occupies the 9th position in this list with an estimated networth of around $30 Million as of last year.
He became king of the Itsekiri speaking people after the death of his elder brother, Ogiame Atuwatse II in 2015. He is one of the most powerful traditional rulers in the Niger-delta region of the country which is known for its vast wealth from crude oil and other petroleum resources.
10) Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I
- Estimated Networth – $10 Million
- Age – 42 Years
- Date of Birth – July 1977
- Title – Deign of Agbor
- Kingdom – Agbor Kingdom
The Dein of Agbor, His Royal Majesty Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I was born in July 1977. He holds the record of the youngest Nigerian Monarch to become the chancellor of a federal university in Nigeria.
He is currently the Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious universities and one of the richest Kings in Nigeria right now. He is the last monarch on the list of the richest traditional rulers in the country right now.
Wrapping Up
There you have it, a comprehensive list of Nigeria’s richest traditional rulers right now. Oba Obateru the traditional leader of the Ugbo Kingdom occupies the first position on this list and he is followed closely by Sultan Sa’adu Abubakar who is the traditional ruler of the Sokoto Caliphate and Muslims nationwide.
Over to you. Do you think any Nigerian monarch should be on this list? Let us know via the comment section below to let us know. If you learned a thing or two from this article, don’t forget to share with your friends on social media via the share button right below this article.
