Top 5 richest Women in Nigeria

Nigeria, the country with the highest population in Africa, has a growing number of successful business people. A unique group of women are achieving significant advancements and influencing the business landscape. These women are the richest in Nigeria and inspire future generations with their hard work and creativity. 

Here are the stories of the five wealthiest women in Nigeria. We will look at where they come from, what businesses they run, and how they affect their communities.

1. Folorunsho Alakija

Folorunsho Alakija, aged 70, is recognized as the wealthiest woman in Nigeria. Her net worth is about $1. 6 billion, according to Forbes. She started several well-known African companies, like Famfa Oil and the Rose of Sharon Group. Starting her journey in fashion design with a successful clothing line, Alakija's eagerness to establish new enterprises opened doors to further possibilities.

During the 1990s, her firm, Famfa Oil, obtained a license to search for oil, establishing her as a leading figure in Nigeria's oil and gas sector. She is a dedicated supporter of charity, helping schools and empowering women through her organization. Worth nearly N10 billion, the Alakija Mansion in Ikoyi, Lagos State, is recognized as the most expensive home in Nigeria.

2. Bola Shagaya

According to Forbes, Hajia Bola Shagaya, the founder and CEO of Bolmus Group International, ranks as the second wealthiest woman in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $950 million. She is a well-known Nigerian businesswoman who has made her money from many different businesses. 

Shagaya leads Bolmus Group International, a versatile Nigerian company that invests in many areas like oil and gas, real estate, banking, and communications. Through her astute leadership and strategic investments, she has risen to become one of the leading entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

3. Daisy Danjuma

Daisy Danjuma, a former Senator from Edo State, is the third richest woman in Nigeria, according to Forbes. Her net worth is around $900 million. She is a respected lawyer and is famous for being the wife of General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, who was a former Defense Minister. 

Danjuma's knowledge of the law and her good understanding of business have helped her achieve great success and build a lot of wealth. Her business projects and smart investments have made her one of the richest people in Nigeria. She helped start Afenmai Austeniti Limited, a company that explores oil and gas. She is also known for her charitable work, especially in education and healthcare.

4. Fifi Ekanem Ejindu 

Fifi Ekanem Ejindu is a successful architect, business owner, and philanthropist. She is related to King James Ekpo Bassey from Cobham Town, Calabar. She is one of the top female architects in Nigeria and started the Starcrest Group of Companies. This company works in building homes, designing buildings, and making investments. Forbes says her net worth is about $850 million. 

Ejindu is the founder and CEO of Starcrest Group, one of the biggest architectural companies in Nigeria. She manages different areas of the company, which include real estate, construction and design, and investment options. The company has different parts that handle property management, building, design, oil and gas, managing projects, and helping young people. Starcrest Group manages numerous residences and enterprises nationwide, highlighting its significance and impact in Nigeria.

5. Stella Okoli

Stella Okoli is a dedicated pharmacist, successful business executive, and benevolent individual recognized for founding Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries LTD. Starting with a small pharmacy, she has transformed it into a thriving business worth $800 million. 

Besides doing well in her business, Okoli is the Vice President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture. 

To remember her son Chike Okoli, who died in 2005, she started the Chike Okoli Foundation in 2006. This organization aims to fight poverty and illnesses, especially related to heart health. Also, Stella Okoli manages the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, which supports business development and learning.