Delta State, located in Nigeria’s South-South region, is one of the wealthiest states in the country, not just in terms of oil reserves but also in terms of the influential and affluent individuals it has produced. With a robust presence in oil and gas, banking, telecommunications, logistics, and maritime services, Delta is home to some of Nigeria’s most powerful business tycoons and billionaires. These men have not only amassed significant personal fortunes but also contributed immensely to economic development, job creation, and philanthropy within and beyond the state.
In this blog post, we take a deep dive into the top richest men in Delta State as of 2025, exploring their backgrounds, sources of wealth, and their impact on both the state and the country at large.
1. Jim Ovia – The Titan of Banking
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Estimated Net Worth: $980 million
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Key Industries: Banking, Real Estate, Telecommunications
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Hometown: Agbor, Delta State
Jim Ovia is perhaps the most recognized billionaire from Delta State. As the founder of Zenith Bank, one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, Ovia built a financial empire that redefined banking in Nigeria. He established Zenith Bank in 1990 and took it public in 2004, growing it into a pan-African institution with subsidiaries in over 10 countries.
Beyond banking, Ovia has made significant investments in telecommunications and real estate. He owns Visafone Communications and holds vast real estate assets in Lagos and Abuja. Through the Jim Ovia Foundation, he has awarded thousands of scholarships to Nigerian students, empowering youth through education and digital skills.
2. Benedict Peters – The Oil & Gas Powerhouse
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Estimated Net Worth: $2 billion
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Key Industries: Oil & Gas, Energy
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Hometown: Onicha-Olona, Delta State
Benedict Peters is the founder of Aiteo Group, one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous oil companies. With upstream assets like OML 29 acquired from Shell and downstream operations spread across West Africa, Peters has built an energy empire.
His firm is also investing heavily in power generation, including plans to develop a 100,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Warri. Peters is known not only for his business prowess but also for his philanthropic work in sports development, youth empowerment, and education.
3. Tony Elumelu – The Africapitalist Visionary
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Estimated Net Worth: $700 million
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Key Industries: Banking, Investments, Energy
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Hometown: Onicha-Ukwu, Delta State
Tony Elumelu is the chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and founder of Heirs Holdings and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). He rose to prominence after leading the acquisition of UBA in the early 2000s, transforming it into a global bank.
Elumelu’s concept of Africapitalism — the belief that Africa’s private sector can drive development — is evident in his investments in energy (Transcorp Power), hospitality, healthcare, and agriculture. Through TEF, he has empowered over 18,000 African entrepreneurs with seed capital, mentorship, and training.
4. Ayiri Emami – The Warri Prince of Business
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Estimated Net Worth: $600 million
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Key Industries: Oil, Entertainment, Hospitality
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Hometown: Warri, Delta State
Prince Ayiri Emami is a flamboyant businessman and politician known for his influence in the Niger Delta region. He is deeply involved in the oil servicing industry and owns businesses in logistics, entertainment, and real estate.
Beyond his commercial success, Emami is well-known for his charitable contributions to the Itsekiri Kingdom, where he has supported local development initiatives and youth empowerment programs.
5. Emmanuel Emoefe – Maritime Magnate
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Estimated Net Worth: $450 million
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Key Industries: Maritime Services, Oil Support
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Hometown: Ozoro, Delta State
Emmanuel Emoefe is the chairman of Portplus Limited, a major player in maritime logistics, especially in offshore oil and gas support services. His company operates vessels that supply equipment, food, and personnel to oil rigs in the Niger Delta.
Emoefe has also contributed to social development, constructing schools and clinics in rural communities across Delta State. He stands as a testament to the power of indigenous entrepreneurship.
6. Ned Nwoko – Politician and Property Developer
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Estimated Net Worth: $400 million
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Key Industries: Real Estate, Agriculture
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Hometown: Idumuje-Ugboko, Delta State
Ned Nwoko is a lawyer, politician, and businessman known for his massive real estate ventures and agricultural investments. His Mount Ned Resort and the Mosamba Estate are among the largest privately owned properties in Delta.
Nwoko is also the founder of the Malaria Eradication Project, a pan-African health campaign. Despite his background in politics, his wealth stems from land development and strategic foreign investments.
7. Victor Ochei – Energy Entrepreneur
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Estimated Net Worth: $450 million
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Key Industries: Power, Infrastructure
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Hometown: Ogbekenu, Delta State
Victor Ochei, a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, transitioned into business by launching projects in power distribution and infrastructure development. His mini-grid energy projects and gas investments help provide stable electricity to underserved communities.
He is also an advocate for education, having donated classroom blocks, computers, and scholarships to schools in Delta North.
8. Godwin Agofure – Transportation Trailblazer
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Estimated Net Worth: Over ₦100 billion
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Key Industries: Transportation, Logistics
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Hometown: Ughelli, Delta State
Godwin Agofure is the founder of God Is Good Motors (GIGM), one of the biggest transport and logistics companies in Nigeria. From humble beginnings, Agofure turned a small family business into a pan-Nigerian brand known for innovation and technology-driven services.
He has recently expanded into fuel distribution, connecting his logistics empire to the oil value chain. His business model continues to redefine interstate transportation in Nigeria.
9. Olorogun O’tega Emerhor – Finance and Politics Mogul
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Estimated Net Worth: Over ₦90 billion
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Key Industries: Insurance, Oil, Banking
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Hometown: Evwreni, Delta State
O’tega Emerhor is the chairman of Standard Alliance Insurance and a key player in Delta’s political and business scenes. A former banker and investor, he has held major positions in various financial and energy firms.
Emerhor is also known for supporting community projects such as roads, schools, and healthcare centers, especially in Delta Central.
10. Michael Ikuku – The Ibru Group Heir
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Estimated Net Worth: $400 million
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Key Industries: Oil, Hospitality, Real Estate
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Hometown: Warri, Delta State
Michael Ikuku is a prominent businessman and stakeholder in the Ibru business dynasty. His ventures span across petroleum marketing, luxury real estate, and hotel management. He owns and operates several properties in Warri, Lagos, and Abuja.
Ikuku has helped preserve the legacy of one of Delta’s oldest business families while also championing new investments in tourism and energy.
Conclusion
Delta State stands out as one of Nigeria’s most economically vibrant regions, thanks in large part to the billionaires it has produced. These men—through hard work, vision, and strategic investments—have built business empires that stretch across Nigeria and beyond. Their wealth is not just a personal achievement but a crucial part of the region’s development story.
From oil and banking to logistics and real estate, these billionaires continue to influence policies, create employment, and fund initiatives that benefit millions. As new industries like renewable energy and digital technology emerge, Delta State’s next wave of billionaires might just be around the corner.
