Ogunlesi’s Net Worth Soars to $2.5bn, Joins Dangote, Otedola on Elite African Billionaire List
- Another Nigerian has joined the growing list of Africa’s richest persons alongside Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and others
- He emerged as one of the continent’s wealthiest individuals after leading his company in a $12.5 billion deal last year
- The Nigerian investor’s net worth grew by $800 million between January and August 2025, cementing his position among the world’s richest
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy for over a decade
Nigerian billionaire and investor, Adebayo Ogunlesi, has recorded a sharp increase in his net worth in 2025, as he joins African billionaires such as Aliko Dangote, Johann Rupert, and others on the list.
Ogunlesi’s investment includes a significant stake in the US asset management company, BlackRock, which has pushed his fortunes to $2.5 billion, landing him among the world’s richest people.
Source: Getty Images
Why is Ogunlesi's net worth rising?
A Forbes report disclosed that the investor’s wealth has edged up by $800 since January, rising from $1.7 billion at the beginning of the year to $2.5 billion in August.
According to the report, the gain makes Ogunlesi the world’s 1,531 richest individual.
A large part of his net worth comes from his stakes in BlackRock, which grew from $1.9 billion in January to $1.9 billion, representing a 10% yearly increase.
Ogunlesi's multi-billion-dollar deal
The boost comes amid BlackRock’s $12.5 billion acquisition of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), an infrastructure investment fund co-founded by Ogunlesi.
Reports say that since the acquisition, BlackRock has continued to pursue new opportunities.
One of its latest moves is reportedly leading a consortium in a $10 billion investment in Saudi Aramco’s Jafurah gas infrastructure.
The deal helps oil-producing countries, such as Saudi Arabia, to raise funds for broader economic plans while giving investors reliable long-term returns.
Ogunlesi’s firm finds new frontiers
The Jafurah project, valued at about $100 billion, will be the largest shale gas development outside the U.S.
It is a critical part of Aramco’s drive to raise natural gas production by 60% by 2030, relative to 2021 levels.
BlackRock and the Saudi oil giant have partnered before, including in 2021, when the company joined other investors to purchase lease rights to Aramco’s pipeline networks in two deals worth almost $28 billion.
Ogunlesi's multiple board memberships
The Nigerian investor’s business interests extend well beyond GIP and BlackRock. He received about 1,822,926 BlackRock shares and $600 million in cash as part of the GIP sale.
The 71-year-old sits on BlackRock’s board and recently joined OpenAI’s board, the research group behind ChatGPT.
Source: Getty Images
Billionaires Africa reports that Ogunlesi’s investments include stakes in Kosmos Energy Holdings LLC, Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp., and Goldman Sachs Group.
Nigerian billionaire buys Panama Canal ports
Legit.ng previously reported that the Hong Kong-based conglomerate has agreed to sell its shares in a subsidiary operating near the Panama Canal to a consortium, including Global Infrastructure Partners, a subsidiary of BlackRock Inc.
According to reports, US President Donald Trump alleged Chinese interference with the shipping line operations.
Nigerian billionaire Adebayo Ogunlesi’s firm, Global Infrastructure Partners, will operate the deal in collaboration with TIL.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
