₦airaland Forum

I tot I will see source as Forbes.com, rather it was one obscure site probably owned by one Agbado or gbegiri gulpers that posted such news.

Mtchiew.

Next.

creativejagaban:
Ahahahaha.

This is serious ooo

You mean the developers full Asia prisons. Maybe na dia the billions dey

I am sure raccoon and mrvitalis must have visited those prisons before

That one na Standard K.

Raccoon, penguin2, nrvitalis and their fellow Obidients definitely have uncles , in-laws and other relatives in various prisons.

Na like NYSC for them. They must do service.

galantjoe:
Igbo is cunning, their wealth is not exposed, they don't show or front their wealth. There are many Igbos that have many more than these guys.

the ones your mushroom billionaires and money na water de disturb us causing nuisance in the internet is not exposing. Oga yorubas are dons when you talk about wealth but they don't make noise like Igbos. If an Igboman build a house, internet will not rest, shoo...

nedekid:
Someome Trump is threatening to revoke his citizenship? Dude was born and raised in SA. I think he travel to the US on a student visa then started working illegally which would be enough grounds for his citizenship to be revoked by a hostile government.

Any proof to back that up or you just thought?

Billionaires without making any noise about rich
Billionaires without shouting everywhere and asking police escort to fire into the air

Hypocrisy stinks here...
See the people who call others chest beaters

Greenback:
Hypocrisy stinks here...
See the people who call others chest beaters

When real world data proves the so called “chest beaters” wrong, we should highlight it to put an end to unfounded propaganda

Aydot99:
Must you people always view things from the tribe angle

Stating facts is not being tribal. Am not one of your tribal jingoist.

Zero developments in their communities. Instead of a billionaire I can only feel their impact from online screenshots from “ Forbes lists” and no impact to their communities I Will prefer a thousand times naira billionaires like mighty mighty umuchu, ObiJackson, Louis Carter , Okpulu isi Zulu Ora, Vincent Obianodo etc who have in the past 10-20 years alone spent hundreds of billions collectively building their communities through provision of tarred roads, water, street lights, donating auditorium to schools, scholarships, building houses for widows, donating monies to indigents to start small businesses etc. That is what love for community, country and one Nigeria means and not mouthing in words only by celebrating peoples in lands developed by indigenes of that country while condemning people doing same in your own country

immaculatesense:
Any proof to back that up or you just thought?

Bros try to read other news aside Nairaland.

https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-news-trump-gives-deportation-threat-to-elon-musk-but-us-presidents-latest-target-might-have-an-exit-plan-canadian-citizenship/articleshow/122205708.cms

https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-citizenship-revoked-denaturalized/

Ritchiee:
Either individually or collective,there is no tribe as rich as Yoruba in Africa.
It is not about noise but real and clean wealth.
Yorubas are the only people that throw parties spending millions and even billions almost like everyday.
No tribe can do that in Nigeria and don't go into extinction.

Talk is free still we know those that control even your cities.. Truth is bitter.

lagonovo:
Yorubas still got that on lockdown, not only within Nigeria but across all the major countries of the world where legit businesses are the norm.

Talk is free still we know those that control even your cities.. Truth is bitter.

ngwaIgbo223:
Talk is free still we know those that control even your cities.. Truth is bitter.

You are pained to know the truth.
You have the noise.Yorubas have the deal,either abroad or at home.

Ritchiee:
Another delusion.
You people eat and breath lie.

The World Wide Web, a key part of what we know as the internet, was invented by Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist, while working at CERN. He proposed the idea in 1989 and developed the core technologies like HTML, HTTP, and URLs. While the internet itself has a longer history, with contributions from many, Berners-Lee's work on the World Wide Web made it accessible to the public.

---

Brother I'm not from the SE, but I know of a certain gentleman of Nigerian root who helped pioneer the internet infrastructure

showboy2301:
You and 2 others above you are wicked. I wanted to say the same thing but you came early 😂😂
Set awon developers 😜😜😜

Hahahah! E really shock all of us oh 😂😂😂

With just 20 pounds. Igbos are not doing bad at all.

nothingspoil70:
Iam disappointed by the list. I was expecting the region that knows business to represent us. At least one name from that region I didn't see.

Op are you sure this list is authentic?

I haven't visited Nairaland for almost 2 years now. I can't believe we still have this here. So we are still doing tribal comparison and war here.

lagostrendboy:
Big Win for Nigeria on the Global Stage

Two Nigerian-born entrepreneurs, Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona, have landed on the prestigious Forbes 2025 list of America’s Richest Immigrants — and their success stories are nothing short of inspiring.
Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Out of 125 billionaires from 41 countries, these two Nigerians are flying the green-white-green flag high in the world of finance and technology.

Meet the Billionaire Duo:

1. Adebayo Ogunlesi – $2.4 Billion
Ranked 77th, Ogunlesi made his fortune in private equity, particularly through his leadership at Global Infrastructure Partners, where he’s made high-stakes deals in aviation, energy, and infrastructure.

Fun fact: He once served as an advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump. But trust Nigerians — we’re not surprised. Bayo has always played in the big leagues.

2. Tope Awotona – $1.4 Billion
Coming in at 106th, Awotona is the founder of Calendly, the popular scheduling app used by millions across the globe. He built it from scratch — and did we mention it started as a side hustle?

Tope’s journey from Lagos to the heart of Silicon Valley shows that tech money no dey discriminate — just bring sense, code, and ambition.

The Bigger Picture: Immigrant Hustle is Real.
According to Forbes, 93% of the immigrants on the list are self-made, building their wealth from scratch in industries like:

Tech

Finance

Pharmaceuticals

Energy drinks (yes, really)

From Elon Musk to Jay Chaudhry, immigrant billionaires now make up 14% of all U.S. billionaires, controlling 18% of total billionaire wealth.

Africa Representing Strong
Aside from Nigeria, Africa is holding its own:
Elon Musk (South Africa) – $393.1B

Patrick Soon-Shiong (South Africa) – $5.6B

Rodney Sacks (South Africa) – $3.6B

Haim Saban (Egypt) – $3.1B

Marc Lasry (Morocco) – $1.9B

Bharat Desai (Kenya) – $1.6B

Together, these names prove that the immigrant mindset — built on resilience, hustle, and smart risk — continues to shape the U.S. economic story.

Top 10 America’s Richest Immigrants (2025)
Elon Musk – $393.1B

Sergey Brin – $139.7B

Jensen Huang – $137.9B

Thomas Peterffy – $67.9B

Miriam Adelson & Family – $33.4B

Rupert Murdoch & Family – $24B

Peter Thiel – $21.8B

Jay Chaudhry – $17.9B

Jan Koum – $16.9B

John Tu – $14.1B

Final Thoughts

As Lagosians, we love to see it: Naija no dey carry last, especially when it comes to global money moves. Ogunlesi and Awotona prove that with grit and grace, the world is our market.
https://eyesoflagos.com/2-nigerians-make-forbes-2025-list-of-americas-richest-immigrants/

That's impressive. Indeed, the strong "immigrant drive" from all the men and women who migrated to the United States from different countries of the world is why they keep succeeding. This is in tandem with many books I've read over the years on the immigrant drive and survivor spirit from specific ethnic groups in the United States in the Iranian, Chinese, Jewish, Lebanese, Nigerian, Ethiopian, Japanese, Vietnamese, South Korean, etc, groups. Yup, "Smart Risk" built over the centuries.

As for the academically vast septuagenarian, investment banker and U.S.-trained attorney, Mr. 'Bayo Ogunlesi and the Tech entrepreneur, 'Tope Awotona who are both from Ogun State of Ijebu descent, family and cultural values which tend towards instilling an entrepreneur mindset are key. Ijebus, Ijesas, Igbominas, Ondos, Ogbomosos, the Ejigbo folks of Osun State, etc, are some of the Yoruba sub groups that are well-known for their love for international travels and involvement in international business and industries. Matter-of-factly, all Yoruba subgroups that I've studied in the past from the Ekitis, to the Egbas, Ibadan, etc, have among them very wealthy, business-savvy, academically sound, and internationally well-traveled men and women living and working in the Diaspora and in Nigeria.

The Oyo Empire, Benin Empire and Ashanti Empire became militarily and economically powerful because of long-distance trading with other vast kingdoms and Empires. The Oyo Empire for instance engaged in long-distance trades with the Hausa city states through the Nupe country for hundreds of years importing horses for the powerful Oyo cavalry, and exported all kinds of commodities such as kola nuts long before the the 1800s, and the Oyo Empire (which extended from modern Nigeria to modern Togo, with Yorubaland as well extending from Nigeria to Yorubaland in the Atakpame region of Togo) traded with Timbuktu and even the Ashanti Empire from 400 years ago as documented in advanced history books and archival materials. The is also why the GA people of Accra, Lababidi, and contiguous areas have ancestral ties with the Yoruba people of Nigeria because the ancestors of the Ga-Adangbe migrated centuries ago from Ile Ife and the current King or Ga Mantse paid a royal visit to Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in 2022 to affirm the centuries long ancestral ties with the Yoruba people. During the historic inauguration of President John Mahama of Ghana in 2025, the two Kings, Ga Mantse and Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi sat next to one another. That's a fallout of long-distance trading and entrepreneurship honed from centuries back.

Inobeyourmate:
Hahahah! E really shock all of us oh 😂😂😂

Bad gang, Una no dey rest? 😆😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅 I ooo

nedekid:
Bros try to read other news aside Nairaland.

https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-news-trump-gives-deportation-threat-to-elon-musk-but-us-presidents-latest-target-might-have-an-exit-plan-canadian-citizenship/articleshow/122205708.cms

https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-citizenship-revoked-denaturalized/

You said he came in ILLEGALLY.
What is your proof?
Trump always says whatever he likes. He can even say he will revoke the citizenship of all Americans and he alone will be sole citizen. Trump is a buffoon.
What is your proof that Elon was an ILLEGAL immigrant?

Ritchiee:
You are pained to know the truth.
You have the noise.Yorubas have the deal,either abroad or at home.

Home which are controlled and always cry out.

You are the one in pain.. One dangote can't make the North.

Kiss the truth.

Ritchiee:
You are pained to know the truth.
You have the noise.Yorubas have the deal,either abroad or at home.

Continue to make noise because of two individuals while your parents sell their land to us.

ngwaIgbo223:
Continue to make noise because of two individuals while your parents sell their land to us.

Your delusional consolation song

Otuegbe:
With just 20 pounds. Igbos are not doing bad at all.

The Ibos who got their share of 20 Pounds are very lucky that they even got ANY 20 Pounds through the noble influence of Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR, SAN, and strong his insistence during Federal cabinet meetings as the then Federal Finance Minister (during and after the exactly 2 years and 6 months( July 1967 to January 1970) Nigerian Civil War till he voluntarily left Gowon's cabinet in 1973.

Many Ibos took their Nigerian Pounds from the existing banks and were ordered to have them converted to the Illegally printed "Biafra Pounds" on the orders of Col. Emeka Ojukwu which subsequently were NOT accepted by the international community and international financial institutions as a legal tender because the Biafra secession was deemed illegal and NEVER recognized by United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom and indeed several influencial countries of the world. So, what Col. Emeka Ojukwu (Rtd) did was to collect ALL the Nigerian Pounds in the hands of Ibos and other non-Ibos within the secessionist enclave (in addition to the ones seized or looted from the Central Bank of Nigeria offices in Eastern Nigeria cities and Benin City during the Mid-West invasion of 1967 by secessionist rebels) and continued to use the seized Nigerian Pounds to buy weapons from suppliers (and pay for publicity and lobbying engagements for war time propaganda) since the Nigerian Pounds was recognized in the international community.

NOW, the British government then adviced Nigeria to change her currency notes to newly designed Nigerian Pounds which were introduced in 1968 and that was one of the major factors which rendered ALL the older Nigerian Pounds notes in the rebel enclave completely useless to Ojukwu's secession plan and led to the downfall of the secessionists with a final surrender to Nigerian Federal troops in January 1970. Emeka Ojukwu himself talked about that currency change as being the major reason that dealt a blow to the secession from 1968 to the end in January 1970. It was only France and some of those irresponsible White mercenaries that kept the war going for selfish reasons. All these are contained in several history books in my personal home libraries on the Nigerian Civil War of July 1967 to January 1970 that I've read since the 1980s.

The Ibos then took the worthless Biafra Pounds (as worthless as toilet paper) they had got to replace the Nigerian Pounds notes in 1967 [which the young 33-year-old Emeka Ojukwu was using to buy weapons, build bunkers and more] and wanted Nigeria to convert the worthless currency to Nigerian Pounds after the Civil War ended BUT the Nigerian government said NO! Those secessionists notes were NOT legal tender. BUT Chief Awolowo insisted that anyone who could provide evidence and documentation of their money still remaining in any Nigerian bank would get it in FULL. Those who could got their money back in FULL. Those who couldn't got 20 Nigerian Pounds which was a very big amount of money that could buy plots of land just like my paternal grandfather did in Lagos State back in the 1960s when he bought plots of land for less than 20 Nigerian Pounds. I saw the receipt and land titles myself so 20 Nigerian Pounds is NOT a small money like I see some young Ibos ignorantly posting online thinking that 20 Nigerian Pounds of 1970/1971 was small. The Nigerian Pounds (later rebranded to the Nigerian Naira which Awolowo named as Naira in the 1970s as the (Federal Finance Minister) was also very strong in the 1960s right through to the oil boom era of the 1970s.

Depriest2020:
Stating facts is not being tribal. Am not one of your tribal jingoist.

We all saw the names.... You stating it again like that is like rubbing it in there face. Just wanting to provoke someone

Konquest:
The Ibos who got their share of 20 Pounds are very lucky that they even got ANY 20 Pounds through the noble influence of Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR, SAN, and strong his insistence during Federal cabinet meetings as the then Federal Finance Minister (during and after the exactly 2 years and 6 months( July 1967 to January 1970) Nigerian Civil War till he voluntarily left Gowon's cabinet in 1973.

Many Ibos took their Nigerian Pounds from the existing banks and were ordered to have them converted to the Illegally printed "Biafra Pounds" on the orders of Col. Emeka Ojukwu which subsequently were NOT accepted by the international community and international financial institutions as a legal tender because the Biafra secession was deemed illegal and NEVER recognized by United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom and indeed several influencial countries of the world. So, what Col. Emeka Ojukwu (Rtd) did was to collect ALL the Nigerian Pounds in the hands of Ibos and other non-Ibos within the secessionist enclave (in addition to the ones seized or looted from the Central Bank of Nigeria offices in Eastern Nigeria cities and Benin City during the Mid-West invasion of 1967 by secessionist rebels) and continued to use the seized Nigerian Pounds to buy weapons from suppliers (and pay for publicity and lobbying engagements for war time propaganda) since the Nigerian Pounds was recognized in the international community.

NOW, the British government then adviced Nigeria to change her currency notes to newly designed Nigerian Pounds which were introduced in 1968 and that was one of the major factors which rendered ALL the older Nigerian Pounds notes in the rebel enclave completely useless to Ojukwu's secession plan and led to the downfall of the secessionists with a final surrender to Nigerian Federal troops in January 1970. Emeka Ojukwu himself talked about that currency change as being the major reason that dealt a blow to the secession from 1968 to the end in January 1970. It was only France and some of those irresponsible White mercenaries that kept the war going for selfish reasons. All these are contained in several history books in my personal home libraries on the Nigerian Civil War of July 1967 to January 1970 that I've read since the 1980s.

The Ibos then took the worthless Biafra Pounds (as worthless as toilet paper) they had got to replace the Nigerian Pounds notes in 1967 [which the young 33-year-old Emeka Ojukwu was using to buy weapons, build bunkers and more] and wanted Nigeria to convert the worthless currency to Nigerian Pounds after the Civil War ended BUT the Nigerian government said NO! Those secessionists notes were NOT legal tender. BUT Chief Awolowo insisted that anyone who could provide evidence and documentation of their money still remaining in any Nigerian bank would get it in FULL. Those who could got their money back in FULL. Those who couldn't got 20 Nigerian Pounds which was a very big amount of money that could buy plots of land just like my paternal grandfather did in Lagos State back in the 1960s when he bought plots of land for less than 20 Nigerian Pounds. I saw the receipt and land titles myself so 20 Nigerian Pounds is NOT a small money like I see some young Ibos ignorantly posting online thinking that 20 Nigerian Pounds of 1970/1971 was small. The Nigerian Pounds (later rebranded to the Nigerian Naira which Awolowo named as Naira in the 1970s as the (Federal Finance Minister) was also very strong in the 1960s right through to the oil boom era of the 1970s.

Don't mind him.
There were only about 3 or 4 banks in Nigeria then and the majority of bank customers were basically Yorubas.
I learnt there were about just 5000 customers nationwide.