20 Popular IBADAN City Money Bags

Ibadan City in Oyo state, Nigeria, leads the pack of the largest cities in Africa. The ancient city, which is positioned as number one among the five biggest and most populous cities in Nigeria, is blessed with Magnates who run the biggest businesses in the land. Though, some could be seen as non – indigenes, the Ibadan city has obviously become their second home and their life history won’t be complete without tracing their roots to the ancient city. They are as young as 47, and as old as 80. Some are silent achievers, while others are very popular. But they have one thing in common, a passion to dominate with their stupendous riches, wealth and influence. In this research.
KAZEEM POPOOLA brings to you in no particular order, some of the Ibadan city money bags, whom many rate among the Nigerian wealthiest men. Enjoy it

Richard Akinjide
He was the second republic minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. Though, Nigerians won’t forget in a hurry, his role during the election that brought Alhaji Shehu Shagari to power. Richard Osuolale Akinjide is a son of the soil, a reputable legal luminary. He practices corporate and business law, and a legal adviser to so many multinational companies which deal in oil and gas, banking industry among many others. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (S.A.N.) has properties in Nigeria, U.K. and U.S. He lives quietly in his G.R.A. Primrose home at Idi – Ishin, Ibadan Oyo State.

Aare Arisekola Alao
The Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land as he is fondly called, is another illustrious and industrious son of the soil. The highly respected Islamic leader had his breakthrough after his training in Quran and business education at Jan – Kara Village in the famous Ogunpa, Ibadan. Today the non-political, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola sits atop a multibillion naira Business Empire and he is founder of Lister flour Group of Companies which includes Lister mills, Lister motors, Lister investment and properties, among many others.

Chief Bode Akindele
The founder and Chairman of Continental Holdings and Modamola group of companies, Fair gate Investment, and Nigeria Biscuits Limited, remains the only Nigerian that the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka referred to as seigneur. Apart from Sir Bode Akindele’s rare business acumen, the great industrialist, who will be 77 years old this year, has passion for landed property. His houses in Apapa (Lagos) Hendo (U.K), Spain among other mansions are some of the testimonies of his great taste for properties.

Oba Otudeko
Nothing stops the man whose records of accomplishments in the boardroom politis are legendary. And nothing would hold him back when comes to legitimate business deals. The Odogbolu, Ogun State born business magnate behind Honey Well Group, which has every presence in sectors like banking, oil and gas, flour, Fisheries, marine and engineering and properties, lived most of childhood days in the ancient city of Ibadan. Obafoluke Otudeko, who was learnt to have picked his business accumen from his mother, who was also a shrewd businesswoman, in Ibadan, in those days, lives away from the limelight, avoids journalist like a plague.
Though, sometime present at society shindigs, privacy means a lot to the owner of Pivot Engineering. The former director at Central Bank of Nigeria also has huge investments in First Bank, United Bank of Africa among many others.

Chief Samuel AdegbiteThe solicitor and advocate for of the Supreme Court started as a banker with Standard Bank of West Africa now First Bank Plc. And today Chief Adegbite Igbayiola Samuel of Oasis Group Limited sit atop the multimillion naira Business Empire. His palatial country home at Igbo Oloyin in G.R.A, Iyaganku, Ibadan, is a Mecca of sorts for many people most especially bank investors who always come in droves to tap from his vast experience.

Dr. Wale Babalakan (S.A.N) The head of the Bio-Courtney Consortium that handled the renovation and expansion of the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Air-port, Ikeja is a fulfilled legal Icon and accomplished international businessman. His line of businesses also spans across oil and gas, media, information and technology, banking, property and construction. He is the sole owner of Stabilini Visinoni, a foremost building construction company.

Senator Rasheed Ladoja
Before he ventured into politics, Senator Adewolu Rasheed Ladoja, the former governor of Oyo State made his land mark as a successful businessman. Simplicity best describes the Ibadan Indigene who is the Chief executive officer of Real Oil limited, Real Shipping and Karlander Nigeria limited, Real Stores, Real Food and Allied products among many others.

Chief Afe Babalola (S.A.N)Chief Babalola is one of the few Lawyers who allegedly charge their legal fees in dollars. The Chambers of Afe Babalola & Co. (also known as Emmanuel Chambers) is one of the leading firms of Barristers and Solicitors in Nigeria and its principal, Chief Afe Babalola, S.A.N. has been noted in reported cases as industrious and masterful in conduct of his client’s cases by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Apart from the court room, the legal icon and personal lawyer to the three-time former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo also has hands in other investments.

Alhaji Muri GbadeyankaThis is another illustrious son of Ibadan Land. Alhaji Muritala Busari Gbadeyanka, the chairman of MITV and STAR FM in Lagos, is one of the few businessmen with a great fear of God. And the passion of the Islamic leader for the less privileged is one of the many reasons he had been in the good books of many people.

Jimoh Oyedele Ibraheem
Alhaji Oyedele is one of the foremost indigenous contractors. He owns various properties in almost all the states of the federation. The ‘Builder’, as fondly called, his stupendous wealth is evident by the success tales of both Piccadilly Insurance Limited, one of Nigeria’s most promising Insurance Firms and Unique Aluminum Products Limited, the manufacturer of aluminum doors and windows.
Isaac JolapamoThe Oyo-born shipping magnate is a successful businessman who will never wear his achievements like medals. The financially-loaded international businessman and Senator Rasheed Ladoja’s closest ally, whose many investments cut across property, banking and farming. He relishes the good things of life.

Kase Lawal
This only Nigerian, who accompanied former U.S President Bill Clinton to Nigeria during his first visit, has his name in the long list of the biggest players in the Nigerian economy. Kase Lukman Lawal was born in Ibadan in 1954. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Texas Southern University in 1976, and his MBA from Prairie View A&M University, Texas in 1978. He is the chairman and chief executive officer of CAMAC International Corporation and chairman of Allied Energy Corporation in Houston, Texas, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, CAMAC HOLDINGS; vice chairman, Port of Houston Authority Commission. He also serves as a member of the board of directors and is a significant shareholder in Unity National Bank, the only federally insured and licensed African-American-owned bank in Texas
Lawal’s interests also cut across oil and gas. He has a building on Rotimi Street, Bodija, Ibadan.

Bashorun Kola DaisiThe graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science was called to the bar in 1960 and also served in the Law firm of Messrs. Ayo Rosiji and Co. but today Chief Kola Daisi’s passion for banking has made him one of the power brokers of the sector. He is now a major share holder in some big companies around many states of the federation.

Gen. Alagbe Raji RasakiThe former military administrative of Ogun and Lagos States respectively is another illustrious son of Ibadan who is currently ranked among the biggest players in the property business. Apart from his huge investments in the oil sector, Gen Raji Rasaki, a prominent member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has choice properties in upscale area of Lagos State and United States.

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN)-Describing Fagbemi as the youngest Nigerian to ever become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in terms of age and years of legal practice, is actually stating the obvious, because the ebullient to many of states governors, became a SAN at the age of 37, shortly after he was 10 years in the legal profession. Lawyer Fagbemi as he is simply called, is very deep-pocketed with great passion for properties.
Kola Karim-The world famous of the Karim brothers one of Nigeria's leading entrepreneurs and the CEO of Shoreline Energy International (SEI) company, a leading investment company operating in Africa with a diversified portfolio of holdings in construction, oil and gas, engineering and power. Besides serving as the CEO and Managing Director of SEI, Kola is the Chairman of Costain West Africa plc and serves as director of subsidiary companies including Schlumberger Testing & Production Services Nigeria Limited and Alumaco Plc. He is Chairman of Nigerian Ropes Plc.
Engr. Femi Babalola-
Making the list of top unsung Ibadan -based young billionaires, the name of the owner of the popular ‘Jogor event center’ in Ibadan, would either take second or first position. Apart from being one of the great financiers of PDP in Ibadan, Engr. Babalola’, who could also be described as humility personified, Construction Company is the one handling all the new projects of Oyo State government.
Francis Ayegbeni-
The one time professional boxer is the de-facto owner of prestigious D’rovans hotel on Ring Road Ibadan. Apart from being an hotelier, the chubby-cheeked powerful dresser, Francis is also a veteran highlife musician with an in-house live band. In his hotel. The Edo-State born business magnate did not only make his fortune from hospitality business, as he is also into real estate and property development with many properties scattered around the ancient city of Ibadan.
Ganiu Shonubi-This is one of the high-flying megabucks persons in Ibadan right now. He owns ‘Gaso Furniture’, the very highly patronized furniture company in Ibadan and even beyond its environs. Ganiu, known for his generosity, simplicity and who is married to a white lady, is one person that cannot be shrugged aside in the business world.
Raymond Zard-
Although, the name of this Lebanese turned Nigerian may not readily strike a familiar chord at the moment, but Raymond Zaad, has gotten his name permanently registered among the most popular Ibadan money bags. Raymond is into construction, textile, oil and gas and manufacturing.