Nigeria Dominates as Six of Its Billionaires Make Forbes’ 2025 List of World’s Black Billionaires

…Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, and Four More Nigerians Among the Wealthiest Black Entrepreneurs Globally

Dangote Leads the Pack with $23.9 Billion Fortune

Forbes Magazine has unveiled its annual ranking of the world’s billionaires for 2025, revealing a prestigious list of Black billionaires. Out of 3,028 billionaires globally, only 23 are Black, representing just 0.8% of the list. Despite their limited number, these 23 individuals have accumulated an impressive $96.2 billion in wealth, with much of it derived from finance, energy, and technology.

Among these trailblazing billionaires, Nigeria leads the way, with six of its own included in the exclusive group. At the top of the list is Aliko Dangote, the founder of Dangote Group, whose net worth skyrocketed to $23.9 billion following the operational launch of his Dangote refinery in early 2024. His fortune surged by $10.5 billion, making him the wealthiest Black billionaire.

Mike Adenuga and Abdulsamad Rabiu Secure Top Spots

Second on the Nigerian list is Mike Adenuga, the telecommunications magnate behind Globacom. Adenuga’s fortune stands at $6.8 billion, placing him fifth among global Black billionaires. Abdulsamad Rabiu, the founder of BUA Group, follows closely, ranked sixth with a net worth of $5.1 billion.

Ogunlesi, Otedola, and Awotona Round Out the Nigerian Billionaires

Adebayo Ogunlesi, the CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, is next on the list with $2.2 billion. His significant achievement came in October 2024 when GIP was acquired by BlackRock for $12.5 billion in cash and shares. Ogunlesi ranks as the 11th wealthiest Black billionaire globally.

Femi Otedola, known for his energy investments, including Geregu Power, rounds out the Nigerian presence at 12th place with a $1.5 billion fortune. His success stems from his past investments in commodities and his current leadership of Geregu Power, a key player in Nigeria’s energy sector.

The final Nigerian on the list is Tope Awotona, founder of Calendly, the scheduling software company valued at $3 billion in 2021. Awotona holds the 14th spot with a net worth of $1.4 billion, cementing his position as one of the rising stars of global business.

These Nigerian moguls are not only changing the business landscape in Africa but are also making their mark on the global stage, demonstrating the growing influence of Black entrepreneurs worldwide.