The year 2026 has opened on a powerful note for Nigeria's business elite, with the nation's top four billionaires commanding a significantly larger collective fortune compared to the previous year. According to the latest real-time data from Forbes, the combined net worth of Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Mike Adenuga, and Femi Otedola now stands at an impressive $43 billion. This marks a substantial leap from the approximately $24.8 billion they held at the start of January 2025.
Dangote's Fortune More Than Doubles, Cementing His Lead
Industrialist Aliko Dangote remains unchallenged as Nigeria's richest man, and his financial growth in the past year has been nothing short of phenomenal. His net worth has surged to an estimated $25.6 billion as of January 2026, more than doubling from the $11.5 billion recorded a year earlier. This remarkable growth propels him to the 89th position on the global billionaire rankings, solidifying his status as Africa's foremost industrial magnate with interests spanning cement, sugar, and his landmark refinery project.
Rabiu Rises, Adenuga Shifts, Otedola Holds Steady
The rankings reveal dynamic movements among the other titans. Abdulsamad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group, has seen his wealth nearly double, climbing to a net worth of $9.5 billion from $4.9 billion in January 2025. He now occupies the 335th spot globally, firmly securing his place as Nigeria's second-richest individual.
Telecoms and oil magnate Mike Adenuga, the founder of Globacom, is ranked 594th in the world with an estimated fortune of $6.3 billion. While this keeps him firmly among Nigeria's wealthiest, it represents a slight decrease from his $6.8 billion net worth at the start of 2025.
Femi Otedola, with diverse interests in energy and banking, rounds up the top four. His net worth is listed at $1.6 billion, unchanged from January 2025, placing him at 2,320th on the global list.
Global Context and Notable Transactions
The surge in wealth for Nigeria's top businessmen comes amid a vibrant global economic landscape dominated by tech giants. The world's richest at the start of 2026 include Elon Musk ($726.3bn), Larry Page ($256.9bn), and Larry Ellison ($245.0bn).
In related business news, Femi Otedola recently concluded a major transaction involving his power asset. He sold his controlling stake in Geregu Power Plc through a deal worth N1.088 trillion (approximately $750 million). The transaction, financed by a consortium led by Zenith Bank Plc, involved the sale of shares in Amperion Power Distribution Company Ltd to MA'AM Energy Ltd, effectively transferring control of the power generation company.
The strengthened financial positions of these business leaders at the dawn of 2026 highlight the significant influence of Nigeria's industrial and entrepreneurial sectors on the continent's economy. Their fortunes are closely watched as indicators of market trends and economic confidence within Africa's largest economy.
