The Igbo tribe which is one of the main ethnic groups in Nigeria has always been known for being one of the most industrious and successful tribes in the country.
Igbo businessmen and women in Nigeria are also some of the richest people in the country and in fact, they are some of the most notable individuals when it comes to business and trade in Nigeria.
But who are the richest Igbo men in Nigeria right now? Well in this post you will find a full list of the richest Igbo men in Nigeria, their respective networks, and source(s) of income.
Without wasting more time, let’s dive right into the list.
Top 10 Richest Igbo Men In Nigeria (Full List)
1) Arthur Eze
Arthur Eze is a multi-millionaire businessman, oil mogul, politician, and CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum which is the largest privately-held Nigerian exploration and production, group.
He was born on the 27th of November 1948 in Anambra State, Sout-Eastern Nigeria and he also completed his primary and secondary education in Imo State, Nigeria. He further proceeded to California State University, Long Beach, California where he studied mechanical and chemical engineering and graduated in 1978.
The “Ozoigbondu of Igboland” as he is popularly called founded Atlas Oranto Petroleum in 1991 and right now, the company currently has 22 oil and gas licenses across several African countries. His petroleum company also has assets in some African countries which includes Nigeria, Equitorial Guniea, Liberia, Gambia, and others.
According to various online sources, Arthur Eze is said to be worth around $8.7 Billion and he is the richest Igbo man in Nigeria. Prince Arthur also does a lot of philanthropic gestures with his billions and he currently resides in his multi-billion Naira home in Enugu. He also has houses in Abuja and more recently, London.
2) Chief Cletus Ibeato
Cletus Ibeato is a Nigerian businessman, investor, manufacturer, philanthropist, and the founder of the popular Ibeto Group of companies. He is one of the richest men in Igboland and also a great humanitarian whose kind gestures have helped lift millions of Nigerians out of absolute poverty.
Mr.Ibeato was born on the 6th of November, 1952 in Nnewi city of Anambra State and he also completed his primary and secondary education there. After taking his first school leaving examinations, he proceeded to learn trading at an auto dealer shop in Onitsha.
Right now, Cletus Ibeato is one of the richest Igbo men in Nigeria and also one of the richest people in the country but things weren’t all rosy for him at first. He initially started as an auto parts dealer after learning the trade back in Onitsha but later got involved in businesses like cement manufacturing, energy production, hotels, and many more.
Right now, Mr. Ibeato’s networth sits at over $3.6 Billion right now. He also served as a mentor to some Nigerian businessmen and women with a notable one being Mr.Innocent Chukwuma is the founder and CEO of Innoson Motors.
3) Tony Elumelu
Tony Elumelu is a Nigerian business mogul, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the current chairman of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) and one of the few billionaires in Nigeria that many youths in the country look up to.
He was born in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria on the 22nd of March 1963 and hails from Onicha-Ukwu in Aniocha North Local government area of Delta State. Tony Eleumelu completed his primary and secondary education in Jos and proceeded to Ambrose Alli University where he got a degree in Economics.
This billionaire started a career in banking with Standard Trust Bank and he also worked hard to see the bank becoming one of the top players in the industry. After the merger between Standard Trust Bank and the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Tony Elumelu became the chairman.
He has also since launched the Tony Elumelu Foundation which aims at helping upcoming entrepreneurs in Africa succeed. He also has another company known as Heirs Holding and this one is aimed at improving lives and transforming Africa through long-term investments.
His other investments span across many industries of which some include real estate, financial services, agribusiness, energy, healthcare, and many others.
4) Jim James Ovia
Jim Ovia is a Nigerian businessman, investor, speaker, and writer. He is also the pioneer CEO and chairman of one of Africas largest banks – Zenith Bank PLC.
He was born on the 4th of November, 1957 in Delta state where he also completed his primary and secondary education. Mr. Ovia proceeded to attend the Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the U.S.A where he bagged a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and he also has a Ph.D. in the same course from the University of Louisiana.
Jim started as a clerk at Union Bank (formerly Barclays Bank) and after that, he alongside some investors started Zenith Bank in 1990. Right now the bank currently has more than 500 branches nationwide and even though he resigned as the CEO of Zenith bank back in 2014, he still is the chairman of the bank.
His impressive networth of over $550 Million according to Forbes makes him one of the richest Igbo men in Nigeria and overall, one of the richest people in the country. Jim Ovia’s other investments aside from the banking sector include telecommunications and real estate development.
5) Pascal Dozie
Pascal Uzoma Dozie is an accomplished Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and the former CEO of Diamond Bank PLC.
He is one of the biggest names in the Nigerian banking sector and before the merger between Access Bank and Dimond Bank in 2019, he had led Diamond bank for many years before handing over the mantle of leadership to his son in 2006.
Mr. Dozie is also one of the richest Igbo people in Nigeria right now and with a net worth estimated to be around $1 Billion he is sure one of the richest people in the country. Aside from banking, he is also an accomplished investor with stakes in several highly rated industries including MTN Group and the Chairman of Pan-Atlantic University which is one of the most expensive universities in the country.
6) Orji Uzo Kalu
Orji Uzo Kalu is a well-known Nigerian businessman, investor, philanthropist, and politician. He was a two-time governor of Abia state and right now, he serves as a Nigerian senator representing Abia North senatorial district.
His company known as Slok Holdings Limited is an indigenous Nigerian company that is into oil and gas, banking and finance, media and publishing, real estate, trading, manufacturing, insurance, and tourism. He also owns some popular Nigerian newspapers like Sun Newspapers and the New Telegraph.
Orji Uzo Kalu remains one of the richest Igbo men in Nigeria right now and the fifth person on this list. He is also a well-respected politician in Igbo land and Nigeria in general.
7) Rochas Okorocha
Rochas Okrocha is a well-known Nigerian politician, businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He was also a two-time governor of Imo state and a current Nigerian senator representing Imo West senatorial district in the country’s upper legislative chamber.
Although you won’t see this man in many websites talking about this topic, he is said to be one of the richest men from Igboland according to various sources. He is also the founder of Rochas Foundation – a foundation funded by him to provide free education for African children especially the ones from Igbo speaking states in Nigeria.
Okorocha’s investments are spread across different sectors of which some include real estate, education (secondary and tertiary), manufacturing, and many others.
8) ABC Orjiako
ABC Orjiako is a well known Nigerian businessman, investor, and oil mogul. Before venturing into a full-time business, he was already doing well in the medical industry and he worked for Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the National Orthopaedic Hospital before going into the oil and gas industry.
He established SELPAT Oil and Gas Limited (formerly SELBAH) in 2009 and since then the company has grown to become one of the biggest oil companies in Nigeria. His other assets excluding petroleum and gas span across various sectors of which some of these sectors include shipping, real estate, healthcare, banking, and many others.
Orjiako is one of Nigeria’s richest people from the Igbo tribe and he is also one of the most respected businessmen from the region.
9) Emeka Offor
Emeka Offor is a well known Nigerian businessman, oil mogul, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of The Chrome Group which is a leading multi-billion dollar conglomerate, based in Abuja, Nigeria with interests in Oil & Gas, Power, Logistics, Insurance, Broadcasting, and Telecommunications.
He was born on the 10th of February 1957 in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Nigeria and he hails from Irefi Oraifite in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
Emeka Offor established The Chrome Group in 1994 and right now, this multibillion-dollar company employs over 800 Nigerians from different parts of the country. He is one of the wealthiest Igbo men in Nigeria and he occupies the 9th spot on this list.
10) Tony Ezenna
Chief Tony Ezenna is a Nigerian businessman and the founder of the popular Orange Drugs Pharmaceutical Limited – a Nigerian company into the manufacturing of various pharmaceutical, beverage, and home care products.
His journey to wealth began in 1988 when he left his job at the Eastern Industrial Chemicals Limited and started his company, Orange Drugs Nigeria Limited. His company, Orage Drugs limited is now one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria and the whole of Africa.
He is one of the wealthiest men in Igboland and also a great philanthropist whose good works have changed the life of many Nigerians. Tony Ezenna is also involved in politics and he hails from Akokwa community in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria.
Others
- Leo Stan Ekeh
- Ifeanyi Uba
- Cosmas Maduka
