The Top 5 Richest Kings in Yoruba Land (2024)
Last updated on July 20th, 2023 at 01:51 pm
The richest kings in Yoruba land is what this post seeks to explain. These wealthy Yoruba monarchs are the only one from the list of obas in Yoruba land to emerge as some the richest kings in Nigeria currently according to Forbes ranking.
Wealth is a necessity for monarchs and kingship in Yoruba land. Although, there are moral qualities and character that also determines who will be anointed a king in Yoruba land that can’t be pushed aside.
In Africa, especially in Yoruba Kingdoms, wealth and riches are still the major criteria for crowning a king or ruler. No wonder monarchial system is still a very powerful institution in Nigeria.
In Yoruba culture, kings are adored and held in great regard. ” OBA” is the primary title of kings and rulers in Yoruba nation. These kings, with their traditional institutions are governed by the state governments where they reside.
The traditional kings and rulers of Yoruba land still have a close bond with one another. As a result, the Yoruba nation has maintained a very powerful monarchial system.
Richest Kings in Yoruba Land (2024)
In order to identify the richest Yoruba monarchs in Nigeria, we will evaluate the net worth of the top kings in Yoruba nation.
HRH Frederick Obateru Akinruntan
With a net worth of $300 million, the richest Yoruba king in Nigeria is the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, HRM Frederick Obateru Akinruntan. Although, he is not the most powerful Obas in Yoruba land, his wealth and assets beat that of the current Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi to emerge the wealthiest Oba in Nigeria with a net worth of $300 million according to Forbes.
The major source of Oba Akinruntan wealth is oil. He is the founder and owner of OBAT Oil which he started as a gas station in 1981 at Ondo state, Nigeria. The oil company now has more than 50 gas stations in Nigeria. Apart from this, he also owns the largest petroleum depot in Africa.
Oba Akinruntan OBAT Oil company houses one of largest tank farms in Africa that has the ability to save 70 million liters of petroleum products. He has landed properties both in Nigeria and even in London. He is also into real estate and owns a popular hotel located in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Oba Obateru Akinrutan was crowned the Olugbo of Ugbo land in Ondo state in the year 2009 which makes him one of the most respected Obas in Yoruba land. This wealthy Yoruba monarch is man of taste, class and sure knows how to enjoy his riches. He has a luxury of cars inside his palace. He entered the history books when he became the first black person in 2012 to buy the 2014 model of Bentley which Queen Elizabeth of England rode.
It is rumored that the richest Yoruba King in Nigeria also owns the most expensive yachts in Nigeria as he loves traveling by water. His kingdom, Ugbo kingdom is also a riverine area where he grew. He is also among the list of top 50 people in Nigeria.
HRH Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi
The present Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, is among the five richest kings in Yoruba land. With an estimated net worth of $70 million, the first class king from Osun state undoubtedly ranks among the wealthiest in Yoruba land.
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is a successful businessman and a certified accountant prior to his ascent to the priestly throne of Oni of Ife in March 2015. After serving as the managing director of Howard Roark Gardens Limited, he became a significant real estate investor in Lagos.
His company worked on the multi-million dollar Jacob Mews Estate project in Yaba and the Lakeview real estate development in Lekki. He is one of the richest Yoruba rulers and has a plethora of exotic automobiles.
A 2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Mercedes-Benz S550, and two Bentleys are all kept in his garage. These and other assets all demonstrate the extent of Oni of Ife’s wealth and net worth.
HRH Oba Rilwan Akiolu
Among the richest Yoruba kings is the Oba of Lagos state, HRH Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu. The first class Yoruba monach is worth over $9 million. He is the 21st Oba of Lagos and a retired senior police officer before ascending to become the king of Lagos.
The monarch reported that among the valuables seized from his home during the 2021 rallies against police brutality were $2 million and N17 million. He has a beautiful home and a collection of luxurious vehicles.
Additionally, Oba Akiolu has landed properties in certain affluent areas of Lagos. In Yoruba Kingdom, he is a highly wealthy ruler.
HRH Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo
The Alake of Egba land is another rich Yoruba ruler that has great wealth and influence in Nigeria. The present Alake is Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and he has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
Gbadebo is a retired senior military officer before he was crowned the 10th Alake to preside over the Egba land in Osun state. He also has many successful businesses in the private sector. This king once occupied the chairmanship role of the board of one of Nigeria’s top oil and gas firms, Oando PLC.
HRH Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi
One of the wealthiest rulers in Yoruba nation is His Imperial Majesty Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, who holds the traditional post of Deji of Akure.
A real estate developer and architect, the monarch is thought to be worth $5 million. He is one of the top Yoruba traditional kings in Nigeria. The wealthy monarch, who exudes elegance, is also among the richest Yoruba kings, according to reports.
