In this article, we’ll be discussing the top 10 richest lawyers in Nigeria. It’s noteworthy to state that the majority of the lawyers on this didn’t rely solely on law practice to amass the kind of fortune they now have. Read on to find out the top 10 richest lawyers in Nigeria in 2022.
The top 10 richest lawyers in Nigeria in 2022 would be discussed below:
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Adewale Tinubu
Adewale Tinubu is well known to be the Group Chief Executive Officer of Oando PLC, a Pan-African energy corporation that he co-founded (initially known as Ocean and Oil) and led to successfully acquiring a 30 percent stake in Unipetrol, growing the company to be a major player in the Nigerian energy sector. But before Oando PLC, Adewale Tinubu practiced law in his family’s law firm, in which he specialized in corporate and petroleum law. He obtained his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Liverpool, going on to obtain a Master of Law degree from the London School of Economics. According to various online publications, Tinubu Adewale is worth between $700 million and a billion dollars, in 2022.
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Abubakar Malami
Abubakar Malami is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the current Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria. He obtained his Bachelor of Law degree from Usmanu Danfodiyo University in 1991 and was called to the bar the following year, however, he began practicing in 1994. Before his current position, he had served as a State Counsel and a Magistrate In Kebbi State. Currently, he is estimated to be worth around $500 million.
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Afe Babalola
Afe Babalola is a prominent Nigerian lawyer who began his legal career as a litigation lawyer at Olu Ayoola and Co., after obtaining a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of London. He spent two years at Olu Ayoola and Co. before establishing his legal practice, Afe Babalola and Co. (Emmanuel Chambers). In 1987, he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Later on, in 2009, he established Afe Babalola University which is one of the best private universities in Nigeria. He is worth an estimated $350 million in 2022 per multiple online sources.
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Babatunde Folawiyo
Babatunde Folawiyo is the current chairman of Yinka Folawiyo Group, a position he attained in 2008 when his father Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo died. Although his first undergraduate program at the London School of Economics was for an Economics degree, he later obtained a Law degree in the same school in 1984, and a Master of Law degree from University College London in 1985.
Babatunde Folawiyo practiced law for a while, but at this time, he is focused on managing his family’s conglomerate with interests in energy, agriculture, shipping, and real estate. He also sits on boards of several other companies. According to multiple online sources, he is estimated to be worth $650 million.
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John Olatunde Ayeni
John Olatunde Ayeni obtained his Bachelor of Law degree from Ahmadu Bello University, graduating in 1990, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991. He did his mandatory NYSC at S. A. Adesanya & Co., then worked briefly as a legal adviser for Rodco (Nig) Limited. In 1994, he formed his legal practice, known as Legal Resources Alliance. Aside from his law practice, he also sits on boards of some other companies such as Aso Savings & Loans and Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited. John Olatunde Ayeni is worth an estimated $600 in 2022.
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Adewunmi Ogunsanya
Adewunmi Ogunsanya obtained his law degree at the University of Kent, Canterbury, and then proceeded to specialize in Criminal Law during his Masters program at the University of Lagos. In 1996, he joined Ogunsanya and Ogunsanya, of which he’s a Partner now, and the head of the litigation unit. Now, he specializes in real estate, intellectual property, oil and gas, and insurance. He is estimated to be worth around $260 in 2022, according to several publications on the internet.
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Wale Babalakin
Wale Babalakin is a trained lawyer, obtaining his Bachelor of Law and Masters of Law from the University of Lagos and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University respectively. On returning to Nigeria in 1986, he practiced law at the firm of Chief Rotimi Williams for a year, then established his legal practice – Babalakin & Co. – in 1987. He didn’t just practice law, he also published law reports. And in 2002, he earned the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Aside from law, he has several other business ventures, notable of which are Bi-Courtney Limited, Resort International Limited, and Visinoni Limited. Wale Babalakin is estimated to be worth over $200 million in 2022, per publications on the internet.
- Jimoh Ibrahim
Jimoh Ibrahim read International Law at Obafemi Awolowo University, then obtained a Masters of Public Administration and Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University. He also later obtained a Master’s degree in International Tax at Harvard University. His career encompasses working as a tax consultant, practising law, and consulting for the Federal Government of Nigeria. At this time, he’s focused on his company, Global Fleet Group, which has an interest in real estate, telecommunication, insurance, oil and gas, banking, industrial cleaning, and carpentry, among others. He’s worth approximately $1.1 billion in 2022.
- Wole Olanipekun
Wole Olanipekun is a very prominent lawyer and Principal Partner of Wole Olanipekun & Co. He obtained his Law degree from the University of Lagos. In 1976, he was called to the bar, and by 1991 he earned the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He had held several lofty positions such as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, as well as President of the Nigerian Bar Association, to name a few. His legal practice and other investments put his estimated net worth at $122 million.
- Gbenga Oyebode
Gbenga Oyebode is one of the co-founders of Aluko and Oyebode, a top-notch law firm in Nigeria. He obtained his Bachelor of Law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and Masters of Law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His law practice accounts for a majority of his wealth. He specialises in advising companies on matters concerning oil and gas, power, foreign direct investmentntntnt, and aviation. He is also the chairmanof Yamaha Motors Nigeria Limited at the time of writing this article. Currently, Gbenga Oyebode is worth an estimated $120 million according to various online publications.