Nigeria is home to many billionaires, and some of the wealthiest people in Africa and the world at large, some of which are very highly influential women.
If you wonder who the richest women in Nigeria are, here is a top ten list compiled just for you.
Note that the information used in making this post is current data sourced from public information on the internet.
Top 10 richest women in Nigeria
10. Diezani Alison-Madueke (Net Worth $500 million)
Diezani Alison is a Nigerian entrepreneur, politician, and investor. She was born on 6th December 1960 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in the south southern part of Nigeria.
She studied Architecture in England and then at Howard University in the United States of America, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree on 8th December 1992. She returned to Nigeria in 1992 and joined Shell Petroleum Development Corporation.
She went on to attend Cambridge Judge Business School for her MBA degree in 2002. In 2006, Diezani Alison was appointed as the Executive Director of Shell. She became the first woman ever to be appointed by Shell as an Executive Director in Nigeria.
On 26th July 2007, She was appointed Nigeria’s minister of transportation. She was later transferred to Mines and Steel Development in 2008, and in April 2010, she was appointed as Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria.
The 58 years old millionaire was also the first female President of OPEC. She was elected on 27th November 2014 at the 166th OPEC Ordinary meeting in Vienna.
During her time as minister, she had been allegedly charged with financial misconduct, as well as the illegal award of contracts, which subsequently made the authorities to size a huge amount of her assets.
Despite her issues with the government, Diezani remains one of the richest women in the country, with an estimated net worth of over $500 million.
We place her at number 10 on our list of the top 10 richest women in Nigeria.
9. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, (Net Worth $550 million)
Ngozi Okonjo is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, an economist, an international, and a development expert. She was born on 13th June 1954 in Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, in the south southern part of Nigeria.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attended Queen’s School, Enugu, and St. Anne’s School, Ibadan. She was also a student at the International School Ibadan. In 1973, she traveled to the United States of America to study at Harvard University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1976.
She studied further for her Ph. D at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States of America In 1981, she later received an International Fellowship from the American Association of University Women, which helped in supporting her doctoral studies.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala started working at the World Bank as a development economist for 25-year of her career, rising from one rank to the next till she made it to the number 2 position of Managing Director of World Bank, She served as M.D from 2007 to 2011.
The 65 years old also served two terms as Nigerian Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2006 under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo and from 2011 to 2015 under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
She is also involved in charity work to alleviate poverty in her region. Ngozi Okonjo has an estimated net worth of over $550 million.
8. Stella Oduah (Net Worth $600 million)
Stella Oduah is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor. She was born on 5th January 1962 in Anambra State in the south-eastern part of Nigeria.
Stella Oduah is a princess, born to Igwe D.O. Oduah of Akili-Ozizor Local Government Area of Anambra State in south-eastern Nigeria. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
She obtained both in the United States of America. Stella Oduah returned to Nigeria in 1983 after her studies and joined the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
However, in 1992, she left the NNPC to establish the Sea Petroleum and Gas Company Limited, an independent marketer of petroleum products in Nigeria, making her the chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sea Petroleum.
Later in 2011, She was confirmed and sworn into the ministerial post on 2nd July 2011, and she was deployed to the Ministry of Aviation on 4th July 2011. She was, however, relieved of her duties as Minister of Aviation in February 2014.
She faced many charges, which Include the illegal importation of luxurious cars, non-payment of bills for her oil & gas companies, and also for allegedly obtaining a fake degree of MBA.
Stella is a member of the Nigerian Senate and an active politician under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party in Nigeria. The 57 years old is currently married to Former Nigerian Minister for Works, Engr.
Chris Ogiemwonyi and their marriage have been blessed with lovely children. Stella Oduah has an estimated net worth of over $600 million.
7. Mo Abudu (Net Worth U.S. $650 million)
Mo Abudu is a Nigerian entrepreneur, media mogul, media personality, philanthropist, former human resources management consultant and investor, born on 11th September 1964 in Hammersmith in west London, United Kingdom.
She spent her early years in the United Kingdom. She attended the Ridgeway School, Mid Kent College and West Kent College in London, United Kingdom.
After she completed her high school education, Mo Abudu attended the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom, and she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law.
She is the chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EbonyLife TV. A television network she founded in 2006, airing in more than 49 countries across Africa, as well as in the United Kingdom and the Caribbean. EbonyLife TV has its headquarters located at Tinapa Resort in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, which also happens to be her hometown.
In 2015, she had a deal with Sony Pictures Television, which ended in March 2018. Sony announced that they had concluded a three-year deal with EbonyLife TV.
The deal included the co-production of The Dahomey Warriors, which is a series about the Amazons who took on French colonialists in the 19th century in the West African kingdom.
Mo Abudu has received the Best Movie Producer of the Year Award (English), as well as The Life Time Achievement Award at the City People Movie Special Recognition Award. Forbes has described the 54 years old as Africa’s Most Successful Woman.
Being one of the richest women in Nigeria, Mo Abudu doesn’t keep her wealth to herself. She is an active philanthropist, and she keeps on helping out poor and needy people not only in her country but also across borders.
Mo Abudu has an estimated net worth of over $650 million.
6. Bimbo Alase (Net Worth U.S. $750 million)
Bimbo Alase is a Nigerian entrepreneur and investor, and she is currently 52 years old. She attended Pitman College, London, United Kingdom, as well as the Regent Academy of Designs and Fine Arts in London.
Then, she went on to study interior Designing in the London Design School, where she obtained a Post Graduate Degree in Interior Designing.
Bimbo Alase returned to Nigeria, and she established “Glamour,” a mini gift store and beauty salon in Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria. Through her hard work, dedication, and business, foresight. She created her own furniture brand, which she called Leatherworld.
Leatherworld was established in June 1994; it aimed to meet the need for authentic furniture in the Nigerian market at a time when it was almost impossible to find such in the market.
The brand became a pioneer and household name, reputed both locally and internationally as the number 1 manufacturer and stockiest of the highest grade of quality furniture, furnishings, and allied products in Nigeria.
Bimbo Alase is still working hard towards spreading her empire to other African countries. She also sits on the board of several companies.
Bimbo Alase is regarded as a very modest and unassuming lady; she is a mentor to many established and aspiring entrepreneurs. Bimbo Alase has an estimated net worth of over $750 million
5. Dr. Stella Okoli (Net Worth U.S. $800 million)
Stella Okoli is a Nigerian entrepreneur and investor. She was born in 1944 in Kano State in the northern part of Nigeria, to the family of Felix Ebelechukwu and Margaret Modebelu. Her father is from Nnewi, a town in Anambra State in the south-eastern part of the country.
She attended All Saint Primary School, Onitsha from 1954, before proceeded to complete her secondary school education at Ogidi Girls Secondary School in Ogidi, Anambra State, Nigeria, in 1964.
She furthered her education abroad, and in 1969, Stella graduated from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy. She went further to study for her Master’s Degree from the University of London in the United Kingdom and graduated with a Degree in Biopharmaceutical.
Stella Okoli started Emzor Pharmaceutical with the original name being “Emzor Chemists Limited.” She began as a small pharmacy retail shop in Somolu, Lagos State, Nigeria, back in January 1977.
Since its incorporation in 1984, Emzor Pharmaceutical has become one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria with over 50 different products. Stella Okoli was chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group as well as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
She was also appointed as the Vice President and Chairperson of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group.
Stella has also gotten herself involved in charity work by establishing a Non-Government Charity Firm, which aims at helping out poor and needy people financially and also providing healthcare services in various forms.
The 75 years old has an estimated net worth of over $800 million.
4. Fifi Ejindu (Net Worth U.S. $850 million)
Fifi Ejindu is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and Architect. She was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, in the southwestern part of Nigeria. She is from Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State in south southern Nigeria.
She is also of royal descent; her great grandfather is the renowned King James Ekpo Bassey of Cobham Town in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Fifi Ejindu had her primary education at the Senior Staff Primary School at the university campus; she later completed her secondary school education at Queens College in Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Fifi Ejindu was lucky enough to have well-educated parents who studied in prestigious universities abroad, her father was a well-known professor in Oyo State, Nigeria, having studied in the United States, and Her mother had also studied in the United Kingdom.
Her parents made sure that she followed suit. After her secondary education, she was sent to study Architecture at Pratt Institute, a private college in Brooklyn, New York in the United States of America, where she graduated from in 1983
She was the first black African woman to be awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the institute. After which, she took courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, before she started to work at a private firm in New York City in the United States of America.
Fifi Ejindu later returned to Pratt Institute to get her Master’s Degree in Urban Planning.
On her return to Nigeria, Fifi Ejindu started the Starcrest Group of companies in 1995, becoming the chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, which comprises Starcrest Investment Ltd, Starcrest Associates Ltd, and Starcrest Industries Ltd.
The entire company is involved in real estate, oil and gas, and building construction. Under her leadership, the company provides a unique style of architecture, which makes it stand out from competitors in Nigeria.
Her company enjoys huge credibility in building great infrastructures. In 2013, Fifi Ejindu was awarded the African Achievers Arts and Fashion Lifetime Achievement award. With all these achievements, she has grossed an estimated net worth of over $850 million.
3. Daisy Danjuma (Net Worth U.S. $$1.7 billion)
Daisy Danjuma is a Nigerian entrepreneur and investor. She was born on 6th August 1952 in Benin City, Edo State, in the south southern part of Nigeria.
She studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna State 1976, she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1977.
She served her NYSC in Lagos State Ministry of Justice as a State Counsel and was a pioneer of the legal counsel to the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
After that, she worked as an Executive Assistant at a Merchant Bank known as Nigerian Acceptances Limited from 1977 to 1978. And from 1982 to 1992, Daisy Danjuma worked as a Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
In 2003, she was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and she represented Edo South.
During this time serving as a senator, she was also a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, as well as the Chairman of Women and Child Right Committee of the Economic Community of West African States.
Daisy Danjuma was also Chairman of Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development, and also served at the National Assembly as Member, Senate Committees on Health, Education, Finance and Land Transport, before completing her tenure of senatorial service in 2007.
The 66 years is currently the Executive Vice Chairman of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited. Her husband is the Nigerian Billionaire General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, and they have five children together.
One of her greatest and most notable achievement was the eradication of female genital mutilation in Edo State and some other parts of Nigeria and West Africa.
Daisy Danjuma has an estimated net worth of over $1.7 billion
2. Bola Shagaya (Net Worth $1.9 billion)
Bola Shagaya is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, Fashion enthusiast, and a businesswoman. She was born on 10th October 1959 in Ilorin, Kwara State, in the southwestern part of Nigeria.
Bola Shagaya had her secondary school education at Queens School, Ilorin, Kwara State. She furthered her tertiary education at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and Kaduna State, both in Nigeria.
She later traveled abroad to study economics and accountancy at Armstrong College in California in the United States of America. When she returned to Nigeria, she began her career at the audit department of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In 1983, Bola Shagaya ventured into commercial activities. She started to import and distribute photographic materials. She was the first to introduce the Konica brand of photographic materials into the Nigerian market and West Africa as a whole.
The 59 years old is also the managing director of Practoil Limited, which is one of the largest importers and distributors of crude oil in Nigeria, serving local lubricant blending plants.
She has also invested immensely in real estate, spanning across major cities in the country that have empowered over three hundred employees. She is also growing real estate abroad in Europe as well as the United States.
Bola Shagaya is currently married to Alhaji Shagaya, who a Kwara State-based transport tycoon, and they have six children together. Bola has an estimated net worth of over $1.9 billion, making her the second richest woman in Nigeria.
1. Folorunsho Alakija
Folorunsho Alakija is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and businesswoman. She was born on 15th July 1951 to the family of Chief L. A. Ogbara in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in the southwestern part of Nigeria.
She traveled to the United Kingdom at the age of 7 years, where she attended and completed her primary school education at Dinorben School for Girls in Hafodunos Hall, Wales.
She then returned to Nigeria and attended Muslim High School in Sagamu, Ogun State, in the southwestern part of the country, where she completed her secondary education.
After then, Folorunsho Alakija traveled back to the United Kingdom for her tertiary education, where she attended Pitman’s Central College in London, United Kingdom, and graduated with a diploma in Secretarial Studies.
Folorunso Alakija went on to study Fashion Design at the American College in London and the Central School of Fashion both in the United Kingdom.
Folorunso Alakija is the chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FAMFA Oil. She is currently the managing director and CEO of the Rose of Sharon Group. This company consists of The Rose of Sharon Prints & Promotions Limited and Digital Reality Prints Limited.
The 68 years old is currently the richest woman in Africa with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. It is interesting to know that she temporarily unseated Oprah Winfrey and became the richest woman from African descent in the world back in 2014. She is the richest woman in Nigeria, with a net worth of $2.5 billion.
It is amazing how all these women studied abroad, are all graduates later made it big in their various careers. No doubt, these women are wealthier than most of their male counterparts and have made significant contributions and impact in the county.
They are also living proof that in cases where women are given a ground, they are also capable of coming out successful like their male counterparts.
