Three Nigerian businessmen – Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu and Dr Mike Adenuga – have been listed among the world’s billionaires as Forbes released its comprehensive list for the year.
The list, unveiled publicly on Tuesday has over 2,460 billionaires globally, manifesting some surprises.
The new list is coming on the heels of unexpected developments in the global business climate characterised by falling stocks, wounded unicorns, and rising interest rates which has translated into a down year for many of the world’s richest people.
According to the Forbes list, the 25 richest people in the world are worth a collective $2.1 trillion, down a combined $200 billion from $2.3 trillion in 2022.
Luxury goods tycoon Bernard Arnault’s net worth surged by $53 billion to $211 billion since last year, a bigger gain than anyone on the planet, to climb to the number one spot for the first time on the rise of share in his company, LVMH.
The former world’s richest man, Elon Musk, slipped to second position after his worth reduced by $39 billion due to his purchase of the social messaging app, Twitter.
One of the surprises, however, is the rise of BUA Group Chairman, Rabiu. From $7.6 billion a few months ago, the Nigerian businessman and philanthropist’s rating in the Forbes billionaires list have again shot up, towering many to become the 249th richest person in the world and closing in on overtaking the third richest man in Africa, Nicky Oppenheimer who stands at $8.4 billion.
Rabiu’s latest worth is put at $8.2 billion. From $1.6 billion in 2019, Forbes recorded that by 2022 his net worth was at $ 6.9 billion, and from there has jumped to $ 8.2 billion in April 2023.
Sixty two- year old Rabiu is essentially into cement and sugar as well as real estate and is building sub-Sharan Africa’s second-largest refinery and petrochemicals plant in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Dangote has retained his position as the wealthiest person of African descent in the world after climbing to $ 14 billion in 2022. His wealth is estimated to be around $14.2 billion as per the reports released on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.
He is presently the 125th richest man in the world and he is easily the largest cement producer in Africa. He also has his hands on other businesses including pastries, sugar, and other areas of manufacturing.
Adenuga, the third Nigerian on the African billionaires’ list, business has not been cosy. He dropped from $7.3 billion in 2022 to $ 6.1 billion.
The last couple of years have seen him move up and down the wealthiest’ scale. At 58, he’s now the 418th richest in the world.
These are the only three Nigerians that made the list.
One other surprise name on the list, however, is 90-yr old Nathan Kirsh, from tiny African Country of Swaziland.
He is said to be worth $6.5 billion, thus becoming the sixth-ranked African billionaire, now above Mike Adenuga. He is believed to be into real estate retail and fashion.
It was the first time he would be featured as an African billionaire.
According to Forbes, their ‘World’s Billionaires List is a snapshot of wealth using stock prices and exchange rates from 10th March 2023
