The richest Igbo people according to Forbes are billionaires. The wealth and assets of these Igbo business men have makes their net worth run in dollars.
While retaining their spot as the most industrious tribes in the country. We have listed the current 5 richest Igbo men in Nigeria today.
1. Arthur Eze
Arthur Eze is one of the wealthiest people in Nigeria. He is into the oil and gas sector and the founder of Atlas Oranto Petroleum. This company was founded in 1991 has presence in Nigeria, Guinea, Liberia and the Gambia.
The current net worth of Arthur Eze is $5.8 billion according to Forbes. He is also one of the richest men in Anambra state. Most people see him as a god father in Anambra politics.
It was rumored that he donated close to $100 million dollars to the PDP during the last presidential election. You should also note that Eze is a graduate of chemical and mechanical engineering from the prestigious California State University, Long Beach.
Currently, Arthur Eze has different cars. Popular among these vehicles is his Rolls Royce. It is also rumored that he is among the private jet owners in Nigeria. He has also engaged himself in numerous philanthropic activities.
2. Cletus Ibeto
Cletus Ibeto is also one of the richest Igbo men in the country that hails from Anambra state on this list. Born 6th November 1952 in Nnewi, his investments says more about this business man.
Ibeto is the chairman of one of the biggest conglomerates in the country, the Ibeto Group. This conglomerate has business interests in real estate, oil and gas, automotive coupling, hotel business, banking and finance, cement etc.
You might want to know how Cletus Ibeto made his money. Well, he started as a motor parts dealer where he learned as an apprentice before he grew into one of the richest Igbo man in Nigeria 2019.
By 1988, Cletus Ibeto had grown his business to the extent that he was able to stop the direct importation of lead acid automotive battery and plastic motor accessories because his factory manufactured these batteries. And by 1995, the Ibeto Group had become one of the largest auto spare parts manufacturing outfits in the country.
It was in 1996 that the Ibeto Group diversified, entering into the petrochemical industry by producing petroleum products for local and international markets. He is one of the stake holders in this sector.
Currently, Cletus Ibeto is currently worth an estimated $3.7 billion and he is ranked as one of the wealthiest business man in his state. He is a mentor to Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Motors too.
3. Rochas Okoroacha
Rochas is one of the richest men in the country. Although you hardly see him on the list on various sites, he is said to be the wealthiest politician we have in Nigeria today.
Rochas is the present governor of Imo state. Even though, there are controversies surrounding him at the moment due to the erecting of statues and appointment of his sister as commissioner of happiness in his state, he came from a humble back ground.
Rochas Okorocha parents were poor. Hence, he began the struggle for survival with hawking of groceries in Barkin Ladi, Jos and rose to become a proprietor of a commercial school. See more about his biography here. His current net worth is estimated at $1.5 million.
4. Tony Elumelu
Tony Elumelu net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion which makes him one of the richest men in Nigeria 2019.
Formerly, he was the Chief Executive Officer of UBA before starting his own company, Heir Holdings. As the chairman of Transcorp and the owner of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, he has empowered thousands of entrepreneurs across the African continent.
One of his greatest achievement during his time at UBA, was the expansion of the bank into a pan-African institution with branches in 19 African countries.
Tony Elumelu assets and investments spans from real estate, financial services, agribusiness, energy, hospitality and even the healthcare sector.
5. ABC Orjiako
Before he entered into business full-time, ABC Orjiako was already a successful orthopaedic and trauma surgeon at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the National Orthopaedic Hospital before establishing his own company.
Orjiako became the CEO of Shebah E&P Company. This was an oil exploration firm that had 40 percent stake in a licensed offshore block OML 108. This block is responsible for producing about 8000 barrels per day.
It was in the year 2010 that Orjiako’s Sheba changed its name to SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Ltd, after taking over from the joint venture between shell and total.
Orjiako net worth is said to be estimated at $1.2 billion dollars. His assets and business interests spans from shipping, banking, health, insurance and real estate. He is the owner of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals International PLC, a top pharmaceutical firm in Nigeria.
Conclusion
While there are other rich Igbo billionaires like Orji Uzor Kalu, Peter Obi, Emeka Offor, Paschal Edozie etc not mentioned on this list, the ones listed above are Forbes current top 5 richest Igbo men in Nigeria for 2019.
source:Nigerian Infopedia
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