By Chioma Obinagwam
Nigeria, with a population of over 200 million people, is blessed with rich cultures and kingdoms ruled by different monarchs; many of whom are endowed with great splendour.
However, Confiance news gathered from Nigeria Stories, the list of top 10 richest kings.
Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan is a Nigerian monarch is number one on the list.
He has a net worth of N108.2 Billion and stands as the richest king in Nigeria.
Akinruntan is the traditional ruler of Ugbo Kingdom, a town in Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. He is an oil magnate and founder of Obat Oil, one of Nigeria’s largest and leading privately held oil companies.
Second on the list is Sa’adu Abubakar – Sultan of Sokoto.
He is the most powerful ruler in the north and among the richest in Africa. He sits over the Sokoto Caliphate, making him the spiritual head of the Muslims in the country. He is also the co-chairman of the Nigerian Council of Traditional Rulers.
Trailing the sultan is Lamido Sanusi Lamido – Emir of Kano, although he was dethroned on March 9, 2020 by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, the wealth and recognition of the 14th Emir of Kano from the Fulani Sullubawa clan is still evidently documented in the annals of history.
Number four position goes to Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Eniitan- Ooni Of Ife in Osun state, southwestern Nigeria.
The Ooni ranks as one of the most respected rulers in the world and holds a lot of power and authority. Besides his royal status, he is a successful real estate businessman and the Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Oba Ewuare II Ogidigan – Oba of Benin in Edo State, southsouth Nigeria is the fifth on the list. Ewuare II was crowned the Oba of Benin on 20 October 2016. He is the 40th Oba, a title created for the Head of State of the Benin Empire at some time between 1180 and 1300.
Oba Ewuare wields power and influence that cannot be undermined. He holds a degree of Economics from the University of Wales, UK, and a Master degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University Graduate School, New Jersey, USA.
Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe – Obi of Onitsha in Anambra State, southeastern Nigeria. He is a notable monarch from the eastern part of Nigeria, the Obi of Onitsha has sure made a name for himself. Before being crowned, the Obi has served as executive director at Shell Petroleum Development Company.
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi – Alaafin of Oyo in Oyo State, southwestern part of Nigeria.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi is the monarch in the Oyo state of Nigeria. He ranks as the second most influential king in Yoruba land. His net worth is about $40 million (N15,160,000,000).
Oba Babatunde Aremu Akiolu – Oba of Lagos in Lagos State, southwestern part of Nigeria. The Oba of Lagos is one traditional ruler we cannot overlook. He is just as wealthy. Having bagged his LL.B. degree from the University of Lagos and also served in the Nigerian Police Force for 32 years before ascending the throne.
Godfrey Emiko who is the Olu of Warri in Delta State, southsouth part of Nigeria is another monarch that wields much influence in the oil rich Niger-delta region.
Emiko falls among the richest kings in Nigeria with his net worth at $30 million (11,370,000,000). The Olu who has his domain in the Niger-delta region of Nigeria is known there to control gas and crude resources.
Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I is the royal leader of Agbor – a town in the oil-rich Delta state.
His name, Keagborekuzi can be translated to mean ‘What will the people of Agbor say now‘, shedding more light on the long wait for a male child and the peculiarity of his coronation. He was crowned when he was 2 years and 4 months old following the sudden death of his father – the late Obi. He entered the Guinness Book as the youngest monarch in history.
