10 Richest Governors in Nigeria & Net Worth (2023)
If you want to know who is the richest governor in Nigeria today after the just concluded election, then you are on the right page.
While we know the luxury attached to being a state governor, a president or even a local government chairman, it is true that most Nigerian governors are guilty of fund embezzlement as seen in the case of Kano state.
Even though this is so, some of these governors were already wealthy before they entered politics as they have investments and businesses that already cemented their statuses as successful entrepreneurs in society.
That not withstanding, these public office holders sometimes take undue advantage of their hallowed office for their personal gains
Although most of these governors just assumed office, and information about their source of wealth seem scanty but we shall list the top 10 richest Nigerian governors this 2023 and their net worth.
Aside these, we shall also provide the best governor in Nigeria presently and the one people deem worst or better still the under-performing governor in the country.
Below is the recent list of the top ten richest governors in Nigeria this 2023, their net worth, investments, etc.
1. Governor Sani Bello – Net Worth Estimated at $1 Billion
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is the current governor of Niger state and he is the richest governor in Nigeria 2023 with a net worth estimated at over $1 Billion.
In fact, he is the only Nigerian governor this 2023 whose name appeared on Forbes list among the most successful and richest men in Nigeria this 2023.
Governor Sani Bello was already a wealthy man even before he became governor of Niger state or assumed any public office, so we can’t list him among the corrupt public office holders in the country.
Born into a wealthy family, Sani Bello is the eldest son in his family and has investments in oil and gas production. With a net worth running into billions of Naira, we can proudly say that the wealthiest state governor in Nigeria 2023 is Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.
2. Governor Nyeson Wike – Net Worth Estimated at $550 Million
Governor Ezenwo Nyerson Wike is the second richest governor in Nigeria 2023 and the present governor of Rivers state.
Governor Nyerson Wike is a well respected citizen in the country and a wealthy Nigerian governor who has transformed Rivers state into an economic hub despite threats and distractions from the opposition party in his state.
A strong member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he was a one time minister of education under former President Goodluck Azikwe Jonathan before he became a state governor. He is also a lawyer by profession as he studied law in his university days.
Governor Ezenwo Nyeson Wike’s net worth is estimated to be over $550 million and most Nigerians see him as the best performing governor in Nigeria this 2023.
3. Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai – Net Worth Estimated at $400 Million
The third richest Nigerian governor this 2023 is Kaduna state governor, Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai. His net worth which is valued to be around $400 million makes him a rich governor.
Born on November 16th of 1960, he had occupied various public offices that boosted his chances of becoming a state governor.
He was a former Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT) under the Jonathan era.
He is one of the most educated governors in Nigeria with an LL.B certificate from London, a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.
Governor Nasir Ahmed El- Rufai is one of the most hated governors especially in the southern part of the country.
4. Governor Dapo Abiodun – Net Worth Estimated at $314 Million
Governor Dapo Abiodun is the fourth richest Nigerian governor on our list and he is the current governor of Ogun state, the biggest state in south western Nigeria in terms of land mass.
Dapo Abiodun net worth is estimated at $314 million and this is so because he invested heavily in the oil and gas sector. Even before he entered politics, he was already the CEO of Heydon Petroleum, a top oil and gas firm in the country.
Just like Nasir El-Rufai, Governor Dapo Abiodun is also one of the most educated Nigerian governors with a degree in Accounting from Georgia State University.
5. Governor Chukwuma Soludo – Net Worth Estimated at $300 Million
Governor Soludo, the incumbent governor of Anambra State is presently the fifth richest governor in Nigeria in 2023. His net worth is estimated to be a whopping $300 million.
Governor Soludo is an accomplished economist and banker. He proved his mettle in the Nigerian banking sector when he worked as the Governor of the premier and apex banking institution, Central Bank of Nigeria, during the early stages of his career.
Soludo is a very active, card carrying member of All progressives Grant Alliance (APGA), a major political party that is now a fading force in South-Eastern Nigeria.
6. Governor Godwin Obaseki – Net Worth Estimated at $225 Million
Godwin Obaseki, is the incumbent governor of Edo State with a net worth currently standing at $225 million. During his early years, attended St. Matthew’s Anglican Primary School, Benin City where he obtained his first leaving school certificate after which he proceeded to Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, also in Benin City, Nigeria, for his secondary education.
After secondary school, he later attended the prestigious University of Ibadan where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics. On completing his education at the University of Ibadan, Godwin Obaseki moved to the United States to attend the University of Columbia and Pace University, New York, where he obtained his Master’s degree in Finance and International business.
Godwin Obaseki is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers of Nigeria and an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Programme. He was also nominated a Global Leader for Tomorrow (GLT) by the World Economic Forum in 2001.
Godwin Obaseki has an impressive career spanning over 30 years. His established track record in investment banking, asset management, securities trading and the public sector both locally and internationally stand him out among many.
In 1983, he joined Capital Trust Brokers Limited, Lagos, where he began as a stock broker. He excelled greatly and he subsequently went on to bigger and better things like working with International Merchant Bank, an affiliate of First Chicago Bank.
He also joined AVC funds Limited, Lagos in 1988 and he served as Project Manager. Asked Project Manager, he was team lead of the core team that set up two new generation banks which improved the banking system in Nigeria.
From 1993 to 1995, Godwin Obaseki worked as a Principal of Equatorial Finance Co. in New York. He also founded Afrinvest West Africa Limited, which was known at that time as Security Transactions and Trust Company Limited, SecTrust, and became the pioneer Managing Director.
He also served as executive board member of several other private companies. He replaced Adams Oshiomole as Edo State governor, continuing the APC stronghold on the state.
7. Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal – Net Worth Estimated at Over $27 Million
Sitting at number seven on this list of richest governors in Nigeria 2023 is Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the current governor of Sokoto State with an estimated net worth of over $27 million.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was the speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives between November 2011 and November 2015. Born on November 10, 1966 in Sokoto State.
He defected from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP on November 28, 2014 to the All Progressive Congress, APC, and was a very active member of the All Progressive Congress, APC, the platform where he contested and won the 2015 governorship election in Sokoto State before he formally defected back the People’s Democratic Party on November 1, 2018.
Governor Tambuwal is a graduate of law at the Usman Dan Fadio University in Sokoto State.
8. Governor Yahaya Bello – Net Worth Estimated at Over $5.6 Million
Governor Yahaya Bello is the Chief Security Officer of Kogi State, and one of the richest governors in Nigeria 2023 who currently ranks eighth. He has a net worth of over $5.6 million.
Born in 1975 in Okene, Kogi State, Yahaya Bello is a graduate of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting (1999). He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the same university (2002).
Governor Yahaya Bello is a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), a platform on which he contested and won the Kogi State governorship election in 2016. He is incumbent governor of Kogi State.
9. Governor Bala Mohammed – Net Worth Estimated at Over $5.6 Million
Bala Mohammed is the governor of Bauchi state and a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. He is currently ranked number nine on this list of richest governors in Nigeria 2023 with a net worth of over $5.6 million.
He graduated with a degree in English at the University of Maiduguri and he is a member of the main opposition party in the country, the People’s Democratic Party.
10. Governor Samuel Ortom – Net Worth Estimated at Over $2.5 Million
At number ten sits Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
Born in 1961, Samuel Ortom is an accomplished businessman and philanthropist. Although, you won’t find him among the richest politicians in Nigeria, he is a wealthy business man.
As a former local government chairman, he was the best performing Local Government Chairman in 1992.
His net worth currently stands at over $2.5 million.
11. Governor Seyi Makinde – Net Worth N48 Billion
Seyi Makinde is the current governor of Oyo state under the umbrella of the PDP.
He recently revealed the worth of his assets and business to the public which he did in fulfillment of the law.
Gov. Seyi Makinde net worth is estimated at N48 Billion Naira. With this gesture, he isn’t among corrupt public office holders who steal from state funds to enrich themselves.
Who Is the Best Governor Presently?
Talking specifically about the best governor in Nigeria presently (2023), it points to the best performing governor who has won the hearts of the people by pleasing them and performing his roles diligently without encroaching on the people’s gladness.
This involves paying salaries regularly, providing amenities, constructing good roads, providing reasonable power supply and other good things.
The best governor in Nigeria 2023 is Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who is the current governor of Rivers state Nigeria.
Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is a lawyer who entered into politics and being a member of PDP, got appointed as the Minister of Education in which he played his role diligently and won a lot of awards before running for governorship seat in his state.
Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike believes in general equality and fairness, as he respects the rights of the people. He is also been used as a good example for other governors to admire.
Richest Governor In Nigeria (Summary)
Right now you know the richest governor in Nigeria 2023 and 9 others who have made it to the top 10.
So, do you want to become a governor so as to give your people what they deserve and making them happy just like Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wile of Rivers state is doing?
Well, you can give it a shot, you might get the jackpot eventually. Don’t forget to share your opinion about the best governors in Nigeria, 2023 in the comment box below.
