Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Femi Otedola emerged as the only Nigerians featured in Forbes' 2024 billionaires list, announced on Tuesday.
Despite global inflation and political turmoil, Forbes reported a surge in billionaire numbers, with 2,781 individuals worldwide – a rise of 141 from 2023 and 26 more than the 2021 record.
The collective wealth of billionaires soared to $14.2 trillion, marking a $2 trillion increase from 2023 and surpassing the previous $1.1 trillion record set in 2021. While two-thirds of list members witnessed wealth growth, only a quarter experienced a decline.
The top 20 billionaires contributed significantly to this surge, adding $700 billion in wealth since 2023. The United States now boasts a record 813 billionaires, totaling $5.7 trillion, while China, despite economic challenges, retains the second spot with 473 billionaires worth $1.7 trillion. India, with 200 billionaires, ranks third.
Forbes attributed Dangote's top position in Africa to his $13.4 billion fortune, securing him the 144th position globally. Adenuga, with a net worth of $6.7 billion, clinched the 409th spot, followed by Rabiu at 581st place with $5.2 billion.
Otedola rounded up the list, ranked 2152nd with a net worth of $1.4 billion.
The rankings, based on stock prices and exchange rates from March 8, 2024, underscore the resilience and growth of billionaire wealth amid challenging global conditions.
