17/12/2025
Dangote is not just the richest man in Nigeria, but the richest man in Africa. Do you know the richest men in Nigeria before Dangote?. MKO Angola was once richer than Dangote. In no particular order, Checkout this list of the richest men in Nigeria before Dangote.
1. Candido Da Rocha
This is Nigeria's first millionaire, the Man Who Sold Water to Lagos. Before boreholes, there was Candido. He ran a water empire from Water House, Lagos Island - and made so much money that he was even loaning the British government. He was so rich that he sent his dirty clothes to Britain for Washing.
He co-founded a bank. Built an empire, yet, most Nigerians have never heard his name. Lagos Island, Water, Banking, Real Estate, he is the first true Lagos Landlord.
2. Sir Louis Ojukwu
He is Nigeria's First Billionaire Boss!. First Nigerian to own a Rolls Royce. Ran the biggest transport business, paid £100,000 in tax in a single year in the 1940s!. He was a business tycoon that was very much respected not only in Nigeria but all over Africa and the world.
He owned properties in different places in Nigeria.
He's the father to the late General Odumegwu Ojukwu.
3. MKO Abiola
Before politics, he was one of Africa's richest men. Owned Concord Airlines, Summit Oil, Abiola Farms, and over 20 homes worldwide. Had 197 chieftaincy titles. He built wealth and sacr!f!ced it for democracy.
4. Alhaji Alhassan Dantata
Before Dangote, there was Dantata, his maternal grandfather. Alhaji Alhassan Dantata controlled the groundnut pyramids of Kano. He exported directly to Europe - during colonial times. He was the richest man in West Africa.
5. Chief Adeola Odutola
He was N industrialist. He didn't inherit wealth - he built it from scratch. First private manufacturing company in Nigeria.Mentored "Awolowo" in business. Helped form Nigeria's earliest industrial policies. He is the engine behind Nigeria's local production. The late Queen Elizabeth Il slept in his mansion in 1956, during her Official visit to Nigeria.
6. Sir Michael Onajirevbe Ibru
Nigerian pioneering Industrialist, founder of the Ibru Organization and patriarch of the Ibru family. The Ibru Organization is conglomerate with diversified interests in Shipping, Media, Agriculture, Port management, Hospitality, Aviation, Oil & gas, amongst others and grew to become a multi-billion dollar indigenous conglomerate.it was also listed as one of the ten leading family businesses in Africa.