Nigeria is a heterogeneous entity consisting of 371 tribes spread across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory. Although the middle class in Nigeria is shrinking and 63 percent of the population are multidimensionally poor (according to the National Bureau of Statistics), there are still rich Nigerians who have accumulated wealth from business, politics, education, entertainment, oil and gas, and a host of other sectors. This article intends to discuss the tribes that boast a substantial portion of high-net-worth individuals in Nigeria.
The richest tribes in Nigeria would be discussed below:
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Hausa
The Hausa tribe is arguably the largest in the country in terms of population, and they are predominantly found in the states of Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, and Taraba. The tribe boasts of having the highest number of billionaires in the country from their investments and businesses in various sectors of Nigeria and beyond. Some notable rich individuals of Hausa origin include Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Mohammed Indimi, Umaru Abdul Mutallab, and Sayyu Dantata, among a host of others.
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Yoruba
The Yoruba tribe is one of the richest in Nigeria with millionaires and billionaires in various sectors of the economy ranging from agriculture and oil and gas to politics and entertainment. The Yoruba people are predominantly found in the southwestern states of the country, particularly the states of Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, and some parts of Kogi, Delta, and Edo. Some of the super-rich Yoruba natives in Nigeria include Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola, Folorunso Alakija, Jimoh Ibrahim, Tunde Folawiyo, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dele Fajemirokun, and Samuel Adedoyin, among others.
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Igbo
The Igbo tribe is another tribe with a substantial number of rich people in Nigeria. They are the dominant tribe in the southeastern region of the country, particularly the states of Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia. They are also a minority tribe in Delta, Rivers, and Benue states. There are successful Igbo people in almost every sector of the economy, making the tribe among the richest in Nigeria. Some notable rich Igbo people include Arthur Eze, Orji Uzor Kalu, Ifeanyi Ubah, Stella Oduah, and Peter Obi, among others.
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Tiv
The Tiv people are another tribe that boasts a great number of highly successful individuals who made money from agriculture, sports, entertainment, politics, business, and a host of other sectors of the economy. The people of Tiv are predominantly found in the states of Benue, Plateau, Taraba, and Nasarawa. Some rich Tiv natives include Terry Waya, Gabriel Suswam, Samuel Ortom, James Iorzua Ayatse, Barnabas Andyar Gemode, and Terhemba Shija, among others.
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Ibibio
The Ibibio people are the dominant tribe in the oil-rich Akwa Ibom State and some parts of Cross Rivers State. Many Ibibio natives have made significant wealth from business, real estate, oil and gas, politics, entertainment, and several other sectors of the economy. Some super-rich people of Ibibio origin include Ita Enang, Nsima Ekere, Aloysius Etuk, Akanimo Asuquo Udofia, Udo Udoma, Albert Bassey, and Victor Bassey Attah, among so many others.
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Bini
The Bini tribe is one of the richest in Nigeria. They are predominantly found in Edo State. Many highly successful people of Bini heritage have built vast fortunes from business, education, oil and gas, politics, business, and several other sectors of the economy. Some of the super-rich Bini people in Nigeria include Adams Oshiomole, Godwin Obaseki, the Igbinedion family, Oba Eheneden Erediauwa, and Idahosa Okunbo.
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Ijaw
The Ijaw people are found in the Niger Delta region, with a significant cluster in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States. They are also a minority in Edo and Ondo States. The Ijaw tribe boasts a significant number of high-net-worth individuals who have accumulated wealth from a range of sectors such as oil and gas, politics, business, education, real estate, transportation, and sports, among others. Some rich Ijaw people in Nigeria include Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Edwin Clarke, Agbani Darego, Henry Seriake Dickson, Ibinabo Fibresima, Ben Murray-Bruce, Timipre Sylva, and Tompolo.
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Andoni
The Andoni tribe occupies the longest stretch of the Niger Delta mangroves belt, with significant clusters in Rivers State and Akwa Ibom States. Right from the pre-colonial era, the Andoni tribe had recorded rich natives, notable among them is King Jaja of Opobo. In contemporary times, there are still many Andoni natives who have recorded successes across various sectors of the economy. Some prominent Andoni natives include Tele Ikuru, Uche Secondus, and Ikunyi Abani.
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Nupe
Another tribe worthy to be on this list is Nupe. The Nupe tribe is dominant in Niger State and a minority in FCT and Kogi State.
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Itsekiri
The Itshekiri tribe is a minority tribe in Nigeria but dominant in Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South West local government areas of Delta State. Clusters of Itsekiri in Edo natives can also be found in Edo and Ondo States. Though this tribe might be small in size, many Itsekiri natives have recorded Itsekiri giant strides across several sectors of the economy, thereby making the tribe worthy of this list. Some notable names of Itsekiri natives include Grace Alele Williams, Festus Okotie-Enoh, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Ayo Oritsejafor, among others.
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Berom
The Berom tribe is predominant in four local governments of Plateau State, including Jos North, Jos South, Riyom, and Barkin Ladi, and some southern Kaduna local government areas like Fadan Karshe. Many successful Berom natives have attained immense wealth from their businesses and other adventures. Jonah Jang is an example of a successful Berom native.
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Urhobo
Urhobo is the dominant tribe in Delta State, and they are among one of the richest tribes in Nigeria. The oil-rich region boasts individuals who’ve accumulated immense wealth from various sectors of the economy, as well as, from politics. Some prominent rich individuals of Urhobo origin include Igho Sanomi, Ovie Omo-Agege, Godwin Agofure, Ayiri Emami, and the Ibru family, among others.
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Awori
The Awori tribe is of the Yoruba ethnic group, who is found in some parts of Lagos and Ogun States, particularly Ota, Ado-Odo, Isheri, Igbesa, Agbara, Ilobi, and Tigbo.