A new ranking has highlighted some of Nigeria’s youngest and wealthiest entrepreneurs, with business leaders from the oil, technology, hospitality, media and real estate sectors making the list.
The list, published by ThrillNG, features entrepreneurs who have built fortunes through various industries, including self-made billionaires and business owners who expanded family enterprises.
According to the ranking, Igho Sanomi, founder of Taleveras Group, emerged as one of the wealthiest young Nigerian entrepreneurs, with an estimated fortune of between ₦1.4 trillion and ₦1.8 trillion ($1 billion–$1.3 billion).
Sanomi, who studied geology at the University of Jos, co-founded Sarian Oil at the age of 23 before establishing Taleveras Group, which grew into one of Africa’s major independent energy trading companies.
Also featured prominently is Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of technology companies Andela and Flutterwave, whose investment portfolio through Future Africa has attracted significant attention in Africa’s startup ecosystem. His portfolio value is estimated between $1 billion and $6 billion.
Hospitality entrepreneur Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, was ranked among the top young billionaires. The founder of Cubana Group built a hospitality empire comprising nightclubs, hotels and entertainment businesses across Nigeria.
The list also included Ladi Delano, founder of mobility fintech company Moove, and Mark Essien, the founder of Hotels.ng, Nigeria’s leading online hotel booking platform.
Others featured include:
Joseph Eze Okafor (Jowi Zaza) – CEO of Jezco Oil Nigeria Ltd, who expanded his family’s oil business into other sectors.
Sijibomi Ogundele – founder of Sujimoto Construction, known for luxury real estate projects.
Linda Ikeji – media entrepreneur who built one of Nigeria’s biggest digital media platforms from blogging.
Jason Njoku – founder of iROKOtv, a major African digital entertainment company.
Seyi Tinubu – advertising entrepreneur and co-founder of Loatsad Promomedia.
The report noted that Nigeria’s emerging wealth creators are spread across different sectors, with technology and fintech producing some of the country’s most notable new fortunes.
It also highlighted the role of innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in shaping Nigeria’s next generation of wealthy business leaders.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.