I’ve spent years researching and following the careers of Nigeria’s most successful businesswomen, I’m excited to share my knowledge about the top 10 richest women in Nigeria in 2024.
I’ve watched these women grow their wealth and influence over time, and I’m always amazed by their achievements. I will tell you about each of them and how they got to where they are today.
Top 10 Richest Women in Nigeria and Their Networth
1. Folorunsho Alakija
When I think about successful Nigerian businesswomen, Folorunsho Alakija is always the first name that comes to mind. With a net worth of $5.6 billion, she’s not just the richest woman in Nigeria, but the richest in all of Africa.
Folorunsho Alakija started her career in the 1970s. She worked as a secretary at a bank, but she had big dreams. In the 1980s, she decided to study fashion design in England. When she came back to Nigeria, she started her own fashion label called Supreme Stitches. She made clothes for many important people in Nigeria.
But what really changed Alakija’s life was her move into the oil industry. In 1993, she applied for an oil prospecting license. She got it because not many women were in the oil business back then. Her company, Famfa Oil, then became a huge success. Today, she’s the vice chair of the company.
I’ve always admired how Alakija balances her business success with giving back to others. She started the Rose of Sharon Foundation to help widows and orphans. I think it’s great that she uses her wealth to make a difference in people’s lives.
2. Hajia Bola Shagaya
Next on my list is Hajia Bola Shagaya, with a net worth of $950 million. I’ve been following Shagaya’s career for many years, and I’m always impressed by how she manages businesses in so many different areas.
Hajia Bola Shagaya started her career in the 1980s. I remember reading about how she worked for the audit department of the Central Bank of Nigeria. But she didn’t stay there long. She saw opportunities in business and decided to start her own company.
Today, Shagaya is the founder and CEO of Bolmus Group International. This company has interests in oil, real estate, banking, and even photography. I find it fascinating how she can juggle so many different businesses at once.
One thing I really like about Shagaya is how she’s succeeded in industries that are often dominated by men. She’s shown that women can be just as successful in oil and real estate as anyone else. I think she’s a great role model for young Nigerian women who want to start their own businesses.
3. Daisy Danjuma
Daisy Danjuma is third on my list with a net worth of $900 million. What I find most interesting about Danjuma is how she combined careers in law, politics, and business.
I first heard about Daisy Danjuma when she was working as a lawyer. She had a successful legal career, but she didn’t stop there. In 2003, she became a senator in Nigeria. I remember thinking how brave she was to enter politics, which can be a tough field for women.
But Diasy Danjuma’s biggest success has been in business. She’s now the executive vice chairman of South Atlantic Petroleum, a big oil and gas company. I’ve watched this company grow over the years, and I’m impressed by how well Daisy Danjuma has led it.
I think Daisy Danjuma’s story shows that it’s possible to be successful in many different areas. She’s been a lawyer, a politician, and a businesswoman. I admire how she’s used skills from each of these careers to become one of Nigeria’s richest women.
4. Fifi Ejindu
Fourth on the list is Fifi Ejindu, with a net worth of $850 million. Fifi Ejindu’s story is one that I find really inspiring, especially for anyone interested in architecture or real estate.
Fifi Ejindu studied architecture in the United States, and I remember reading about how she was one of the first Nigerian women to get a degree in this field. When she came back to Nigeria, she started her own company, Starcrest Group of Companies.
What I love about Ejindu’s work is how she combines architecture with business. Her company doesn’t just design buildings, it also develops real estate and works in construction. I’ve seen some of the luxury homes and buildings her company has created, and they’re really impressive.
But Fifi Ejindu isn’t just about making money. I’ve read about how she supports the arts and helps other people through her charity work. I think it’s great that she uses her success to give back to her community.
5. Stella Okoli
In the middle of the list is Stella Okoli, with a net worth of $800 million. Okoli’s story is one that I think is really important because it shows how one person can make a big difference in people’s health.
Stella Okoli started her career as a pharmacist. I remember reading about how she worked for a big pharmaceutical company in the 1970s. But she had a dream of making medicines that all Nigerians could afford.
In 1977, Stella Okoli started Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited. I’ve watched this company grow over the years from a small business to one of Nigeria’s biggest drug companies. What I really admire about Okoli is how she’s stuck to her goal of making affordable medicines.
I think Okoli’s work has helped millions of Nigerians get the medicines they need. She’s shown that you can run a successful business while also helping people. I believe she’s a great example of how business can be a force for good.
6. Mo Abudu
The sixth richest woman in Nigeria is Mo Abudu, with a net worth of $750 million. I’ve been following Abudu’s career for years, and I’m always amazed by how she’s changed Nigeria’s media landscape.
Mo Abudu didn’t start in the media business. I remember reading about how she worked in human resources at an oil company. But in 2006, she decided to start her own talk show. I thought it was a bold move at the time, but it turned out to be just the beginning of her media empire.
Today, Mo Abudu is the founder and CEO of EbonyLife Media. I’ve watched this company grow from a single TV channel to a major producer of movies and TV shows. What I really like about Mo Abudu’s work is how she tells African stories to a global audience.
I think Abudu’s success shows that there’s a big market for African content. She’s proved that Nigerian stories can be popular all over the world. I believe she’s opened doors for many other African creators.
7. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Seventh on the list is Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, with a net worth of $700 million. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s career is one that I find really impressive because she’s been successful in both government and international organizations.
I first heard about Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala when she became Nigeria’s Finance Minister in 2003. I remember being impressed by how she worked to reduce Nigeria’s debt and fight corruption. She served as Finance Minister twice, and I think she made a real difference to Nigeria’s economy.
But Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s influence goes far beyond Nigeria. She worked at the World Bank for many years, and in 2021, she became the Director-General of the World Trade Organization. I was really excited when I heard this news because she was the first woman and first African to hold this position.
What I admire most about Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is how she uses her knowledge to help developing countries. I’ve read her books and articles, and I’m always impressed by how she explains complex economic ideas in ways that are easy to understand.
8. Linda Ikeji
The eighth richest woman in Nigeria is Linda Ikeji, with a net worth of $600 million. Ikeji’s story is one that I find really inspiring as well, especially for young people who want to start their own businesses.
I remember when Linda Ikeji first started her blog in 2006. At the time, blogging wasn’t very common in Nigeria. But Ikeji saw an opportunity to share news and gossip online. I watched as her blog grew to become one of the most popular websites in Nigeria.
What I really admire about Linda Ikeji is how she’s expanded her business. She didn’t stop with just a blog. She’s started a TV network and a radio station too. I think it’s impressive how she’s built a whole media company from scratch.
Linda Ikeji’s success shows that you can make money from digital media in Nigeria. I believe she’s inspired many other young Nigerians to start their own online businesses. And I like how she uses her platform to talk about important social issues too.
9. Bimbo Alase
Ninth on the list is Bimbo Alase, with a net worth of $550 million. Alase’s story is one that I think is really interesting because it shows how you can build a successful business in a specific industry.
Bimbo Alase is the founder and CEO of Leatherworld, one of Nigeria’s biggest furniture companies. I remember when she started the company in the 1990s. At first, it was just a small shop selling leather furniture. But I’ve watched it grow into a major business over the years.
What I like about Bimbo Alase’s approach is how she focuses on quality. I’ve read interviews where she talks about using the best materials and designs. I think this focus on quality is why her company has been so successful.
Bimbo Alase’s story shows that there are opportunities in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. She’s proved that Nigerian companies can make high-quality products that people want to buy. I believe her success has helped create jobs and grow Nigeria’s economy.
10. Abiola Alabi
The tenth richest woman in Nigeria is Abiola Alabi, with a net worth of $500 million. Abiola Alabi’s career is one that I’ve followed closely because I think she’s played a big role in changing African media.
I first heard about Abiola Alabi when she became the managing director of M-Net Africa in 2007. I remember being impressed by how she worked to create more African content for the TV network. She helped start new channels and shows that celebrated African culture.
Today, Abiola Alabi runs her own company called Biola Alabi Media. I’ve watched this company produce TV shows, movies, and digital content. What I really like about Alabi’s work is how she tells African stories in new and exciting ways.
I think Abiola Alabi’s success shows that there’s a bright future for African media. She’s proved that African content can be popular and profitable. I believe she’s helping to change how the world sees Africa through her work.
Conclusion
What impresses me most about these top 10 richest women in Nigeria is not just their wealth, but how they’ve used their success to make a difference. Many of them support charities or use their businesses to solve problems in Nigeria. I think they’re great role models for young Nigerians.
I’ve enjoyed watching the careers of these women over the years. They’ve faced many challenges, but they’ve never given up on their dreams. Their success shows that with hard work and determination, it’s possible to achieve great things in Nigeria.
I hope this article has given you a good understanding of who the richest women in Nigeria are and how they built their wealth. These women have fascinating stories, and I think we can all learn something from their experiences.
Even if you’re interested in business, politics, or media, there’s inspiration to be found in the lives of these successful Nigerian women.
