Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s wealthiest and most influential regions, is not just an oil-rich state—it is home to some of the country’s most powerful and affluent individuals. Known for its bustling capital Port Harcourt and its central role in the Niger Delta's petroleum industry, Rivers has produced entrepreneurs, oil magnates, and political heavyweights who have shaped both regional and national landscapes.
In this blog post, we profile the 10 richest men in Rivers State as of 2025. These men have built substantial wealth through oil and gas, finance, real estate, law, and politics—many using their platforms to empower their communities. Let’s take a deep dive into the business empires, net worth, and local impact of these wealthy sons of Rivers State.
1. Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs – Estimated Net Worth: $500 Million
Hometown: Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA
Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs tops the list as the richest man in Rivers State. He is the Chairman of DLB Group and Platform Petroleum Limited. His wealth stems from his oil and gas investments, particularly through Moni Pulo Limited, a company founded by his late father, High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs.
Beyond the oil sector, Dumo is a philanthropist and a politician. He has used his wealth to sponsor education, health initiatives, and youth empowerment programs across the state. His influence in the business community is rivaled only by his commitment to regional development.
2. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike – Estimated Net Worth: $200 Million
Hometown: Rumuepirikom, Obio-Akpor LGA
Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State (2015–2023), is one of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures. Currently serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike is known for his strategic political moves and infrastructural achievements.
His wealth is tied to both his political career and real estate ventures, especially in Port Harcourt and Abuja. As governor, Wike undertook massive infrastructure projects that changed the face of Rivers State, making it a business-friendly environment.
3. King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III – Estimated Net Worth: $190 Million
Hometown: Bonny Kingdom
As the reigning monarch of the Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini commands both cultural reverence and economic influence. He oversees a region that is pivotal to Nigeria’s oil production and maritime activity.
The king controls expansive land holdings and commands traditional authority that grants him economic leverage through royalties, community engagements, and development partnerships. His palace is involved in numerous initiatives promoting culture, education, and youth empowerment in Bonny and its surrounding communities.
4. Tonye Patrick Cole – Estimated Net Worth: $150 Million
Hometown: Abonnema, Akuku-Toru LGA
Tonye Cole is the co-founder of Sahara Group, a global energy and infrastructure conglomerate. Under his leadership, Sahara expanded its operations to over 30 countries, dealing in oil trading, power generation, and logistics.
Cole has also made forays into politics, running for governor of Rivers State in 2019 and again in 2023. Through his Tonye Cole Foundation, he has championed educational and entrepreneurial programs, especially for young people in Rivers State.
5. Atedo Peterside – Estimated Net Worth: $120 Million
Hometown: Port Harcourt
Atedo Peterside is a banker, economist, and investor. He is the founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions. Beyond banking, he is the founder of Anap Foundation, a non-profit promoting good governance and public health.
Peterside’s business interests also include aviation, through Anap Jets, and real estate. He is well respected for his insights into economic policy and national reform, and his work has elevated Rivers State’s reputation for producing thought leaders and economic giants.
6. Emmanuel Georgewill – Estimated Net Worth: $100 Million
Hometown: Rivers State (specific LGA not publicly known)
Emmanuel Georgewill is the CEO of Cortech Oil Services, a top-tier oil and gas engineering company that provides subsea and offshore services to international oil companies.
His wealth has grown through long-term contracts with oil majors operating in the Niger Delta. Georgewill has also invested in local training programs, helping to build technical capacity among Rivers State youths interested in careers in oil and gas.
7. Tein George – Estimated Net Worth: $95 Million
Hometown: Ikwerre ethnic group, Rivers State
Tein George is the chairman of Seametric Engineering and the owner of George’s Hotel in Lagos. He is known for merging engineering expertise with luxury hospitality, creating jobs and enhancing service standards in both industries.
He remains actively involved in developing community-based projects in Rivers, focusing on skills development and tourism promotion. His business acumen and philanthropy have made him a quiet but impactful force in the state.
8. George Etomi – Estimated Net Worth: $90 Million
Hometown: Okrika, Rivers State
George Etomi is one of Nigeria’s most respected corporate lawyers and the founder of George Etomi & Partners. He is a board member of several companies, including Eko Electricity Distribution Company.
Etomi’s wealth is derived from decades of legal practice, corporate consulting, and energy law. He is a champion of legal reforms and has used his influence to guide regulatory structures in the power and oil sectors. His roots in Rivers remain deep, with regular contributions to educational and legal mentorship programs.
9. Tein Jack-Rich – Estimated Net Worth: $90 Million
Hometown: Rivers State (from an oil-producing community)
Tein Jack-Rich is the founder of Belemaoil Producing Limited, one of the first indigenous oil exploration and production companies from the Niger Delta. He gained recognition for acquiring key oil blocks and creating thousands of jobs.
His firm prioritizes community participation, giving oil-producing communities a share in operations and profits. Jack-Rich is also a philanthropist, having built schools, provided scholarships, and installed water systems in underserved areas.
10. Archbishop Ignatius Kattey – Estimated Net Worth: $85 Million
Hometown: Ogoni Kingdom, Rivers State
Archbishop Kattey, the former head of the Niger Delta Province of the Anglican Church, is a spiritual leader with notable investments in agriculture and real estate. Though known primarily for his clerical work, he has used church networks to empower rural communities through farming cooperatives and land development.
He remains active in Ogoni affairs, advocating for peace, religious tolerance, and environmental justice in the wake of decades of oil-related pollution.
Conclusion
From oil magnates and financial experts to political leaders and monarchs, the ten richest men in Rivers State embody a powerful mix of wealth, influence, and community commitment. They represent various sectors—energy, banking, law, hospitality, and public service—showcasing the diversity and resilience of Rivers State’s elite.
What sets these men apart isn’t just their wealth, but how they leverage it. Whether it's building schools, investing in youth, or creating jobs through enterprise, their influence continues to shape Rivers State’s trajectory in Nigeria’s political and economic evolution.
As the state continues to navigate environmental challenges and pushes for diversification beyond oil, these individuals will remain pivotal in the journey toward sustainable growth.
