konknaijaboy | On 22, Sep 2013

Recently a list of the richest Nigerians, purportedly compiled by Forbes was circulated by some publications (not The Herald). The list itemized the following Nigerians as being the richest in the country:

1. Alhaji Aliko Dangote – founder of Dangote Group, Richest man in Africa and Richest black man in the world.

2. Mike Adenuga – Conoil, Equatorial Trust Bank, Globacom

3. Femi Otedola – ZENON Oil and Gas

4. Orji Uzor Kalu – Slok Group

5. Cosmos Maduka – Coscharis Group

6. Jimoh Ibrahim – Nicon Insurance, Global Flee

7. Jim Ovia – Zenith Bank, Visafone

8. Pascal Dozie – MTN Nigeria, Diamond Bank

9. Oba Otudeko – Honeywell Group Nigeria

10. Alhaji Sayyu Dantata – MRS Group

11. Umaru Abdul Mutallab – former Chairman First Bank Plc, Mutallab Group.

12. Prince Samuel Adedoyin – Doyin Group

13. Dele Fajemirokun – Chaiman Aiico Insurance, Xerox Nigeria, Chicken Republic, Kings Guards etc.

14. Chief Cletus Ibeto – Ibeto Group.

15. Raymond Dokpesi – Daar Communication, AIT.

16. Tony Ezenna – Orange Group.

17. Chief Molade Okoya Thomas – Chairman CFAO Nig and other six french companies. 18. Ifeanyi Ubah – Capital oil and gas.

19. Gabriel Ochie Amanyi – Hon. Terry G (TGP ent. Ltd)

20. Leo Stan Ekeh – Zinox Computer.

21. Fola Adeola – GTBank.

22. Chief Ade Ojo – Elizade Motors Nig LTD,Toyota cars.

However many astute observers were not sold on the list which includes some Nigerians whose wealth cannot be ascertained to have merited them a place on the list and excludes some Nigerians who should obviously be on the list by any standard. Forbes has come out to disown the list. According to a statement released by the international magazine it said it nor its Africa subsidiary had nothing to do with the compilation. The statement from Forbes said: “The information that was published in a recent article that made reference to a list of the wealthiest Nigerian businessmen was not created nor produced by Forbes Africa or its parent company Forbes. “Forbes Africa, its parent company in the United States, its affiliates and subsidiaries including staff, hereby unequivocally dissociates itself from the article, the content, thereof and any information that is related to it.”