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Here are the most powerful political and business families in Nigeria
These families have held sway in the political and economic affairs of Nigeria.
Overtime, some families have continuously played prominent roles in an allocation of power in their country. As a result, they are non-official member of president’s inner circle of their respective country.
For those with economic and business power, they have many investments in their home country and in other regions. These consolidated their business prowess and reach.
Here are some of the most influential families in Nigeria and their source of influence.
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The Tinubu Family – Lagos, Nigeria
The name Tinubu is one most Nigerians are familiar with. The family has had dominance over local political and economic activities in Lagos and South West Nigeria since the colonial era.
The political strength of the family has long been established before Ahmed Tinubu’s join politics. Mrs Abibat Mogajji, his mother, was the traditional market leader.
She was so influential and powerful that she could sway votes in favour of her preferred candidate in an election.
From Efunroye Tinubu in the pre-colonial era, to Mrs Abibatu Mogaji in the post colonial era, and Senator Ahmed Tinubu who is currently a political commander in Nigeria, the family’s name is never going to leave the public sphere.
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Though, the family has never produced a President, it has always been the force behind the emergence of political players in Nigeria.
In the last 16 years, Senator Ahmed Tinubu has risen to become the ‘El Generalissimo of Nigerian Politics’.
The Dantata Family – Kano, Nigeria
The Dantata family is known for its excellent sales craftsmanship. From the time of Alhassan Dantata who is a major trading partner to many European firms to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the family’s business prowess is second to none.
The family has many multi-trillion naira conglomerates with operations across many African, middle east and European countries.
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Dantata's family is probably the best as far as commodity trading is concerned in Nigeria, and Africa.
The Saraki Family – Kwara, Nigeria
In the political space of Nigeria, one name that is more prominent in the legislative chambers is the Sarakis.
The family political dominance is deeply rooted in the North-Central state of Kwara as its business and economic influence cuts across media, banking and hospitality sectors.
Olusola Saraki, the progenitor of the Saraki dynasty was the Senate leader in the Second Republic. And his first son, Abubakar Olubukola Saraki, is currently the Senate President of Nigeria and a former governor of the state.
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It is a popular joke in Nigeria that whosoever wants to govern Kwara has one candidate to beat, the Saraki’s candidate.
The Ibru Family – Delta, Nigeria
The Ibru family is one of the leading players in the Nigerian economic interests. The family shares a mixture of political and economic power, but most of the influence comes from its business empire.
The family owns the oldest aviation company in Nigeria, Aero Contractor and the Guardian Newspapers. Also, the family has 40 percent equity stakes in Sheraton and Ikeja Hotels Plc and Emsee Shipping Lines Ltd.
Forbes in 2014 recognised the family’s business conglomerate as one of the ten business enterprises in Nigeria.
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Many members of the family have held political offices in Nigeria with Felix Ibru being the first governor of Delta state in 1992. Goodie Ibrus was the president of Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from 1997-2000.
The Igbinedion Family – Edo, Nigeria
The Igbinedion family is both a political and economic heavyweight in Nigeria. The family influences both political and economic spaces of the ancient Benin city.
It has produced the governor of the state and the head of the dynasty is considered a major power broker in Nigeria.
The family businesses cut across aviation, media, banking, commodity trading, oil and gas, shipping, haulage, hospitality among others.
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According to his biographer, “It is no easy task to render an exhaustive account of Chief Igbinedion's conquest on the global business arena.”
The Yar Adua Family – Kastina, Nigeria
Yar Adúa’s family is noted as one of the most successful families in Nigeria’s political history. The name has always been around since the first republic.
The family produced the first and only Minister of Lagos Affairs, Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua. Another Yar Adua, Shehu Musa Yar Adua was Nigeria’s Chief of Staff, Supreme Military Headquarters and deputy head of states in 1976-79.
A first generation of the family, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was also Nigeria’s President between 2007 and 2010.
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