Kano State, located in Northern Nigeria, is widely recognized as a commercial powerhouse. As a center of commerce dating back centuries, it has produced some of the wealthiest individuals in Nigeria. These prominent men have not only accumulated vast wealth but also contributed significantly to economic development, philanthropy, and job creation across Nigeria and beyond.
In this blog post, we delve into the lives, net worth, and business ventures of the top 10 richest men from Kano State as of 2025. These individuals span various industries—from cement and sugar to oil, gas, aviation, and real estate.
1. Aliko Dangote – $23.8 Billion
At the top of the list is Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and the founder of the Dangote Group. Born in Kano in 1957, Dangote transformed a modest trading business into a continent-wide conglomerate. His wealth, estimated at $23.8 billion, stems from cement manufacturing, sugar refining, salt processing, and more recently, oil refining.
In 2024, Dangote completed the Dangote Refinery—Africa’s largest oil refinery located in Lagos. The $23 billion project is a game-changer for Nigeria's energy independence. Despite his global influence, Dangote remains closely tied to his Kano roots through numerous philanthropic activities under the Aliko Dangote Foundation, focusing on health, education, and economic empowerment.
2. Abdul Samad Rabiu – $7.6 Billion
Next is Abdul Samad Rabiu, another Kano-born billionaire and the founder of the BUA Group. With a net worth of $7.6 billion, Rabiu oversees one of Nigeria’s most diversified conglomerates, dealing in cement production, sugar refining, real estate, and port operations.
Rabiu’s BUA Cement is a major competitor to Dangote Cement and has plants in Sokoto, Edo, and elsewhere. His Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) is also one of the continent’s most impactful philanthropic organizations, investing in health, education, and social development, especially in Northern Nigeria.
3. Aminu Dantata – $1 Billion
Aminu Dantata, a respected elder statesman and businessman, is a key figure in the famous Dantata family. Born in 1931, he inherited and expanded the vast commercial legacy of his father, Alhassan Dantata—one of the richest men in pre-colonial West Africa.
Aminu’s company, Dantata and Sawoe Construction, is a major player in the construction industry. He also founded Express Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd and played a role in the creation of Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s first non-interest bank. His estimated net worth is $1 billion, much of which supports educational and healthcare foundations across Kano.
4. Auwalu Abdullahi Rano – $3 Billion
Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, popularly known as AA Rano, is one of the richest oil and gas magnates in Nigeria. Hailing from Rano Local Government Area, his rise to wealth is a remarkable rags-to-riches story. From selling ice blocks and kerosene on the streets of Kano, he now owns AA Rano Nigeria Limited, which operates over 120 filling stations nationwide.
AA Rano’s wealth—estimated at $3 billion—also comes from a 60 million-litre capacity tank farm, logistics, and energy ventures. He is the founder of Rano Air and Azman Fertilizer & Agro-Allied Ltd. In 2023, he also launched Azman University in Kano to further support education.
5. Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina – $1.5 Billion (est.)
Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina is the founder and chairman of Azman Group, which includes Azman Oil and Gas and Azman Air, one of Nigeria’s prominent airlines. Sarina expanded his father's small transportation business into a diversified conglomerate operating across oil, aviation, and education.
He owns six aircraft, over 50 petrol stations, and recently established Azman University in Kano. While his exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, various estimates place it around $1.5 billion, making him one of the top private-sector players in Northern Nigeria.
6. Sayyu Dantata – $300 Million
Sayyu Dantata, a half-brother to Aliko Dangote, is the founder of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc. He has grown the company into one of Nigeria’s leading petroleum product marketers with significant operations in retail fuel sales, aviation fuel, and lubricants.
Sayyu is also the founder of MRS Africa Holdings, a multinational company with operations in West Africa. His estimated net worth is $300 million, and he is known for his low profile despite managing high-impact businesses in the energy sector.
7. Tajudeen Aminu Dantata – $1.1 Billion
Tajudeen Aminu Dantata is a business mogul and philanthropist from the famous Dantata family. A trained lawyer and former board member of United Bank for Africa (UBA), he is involved in banking, construction, real estate, and investment.
Tajudeen chairs the Kano State Foundation and manages several private-sector businesses in Northern Nigeria. His wealth, estimated at $1.1 billion, reflects the strength of the Dantata legacy in business and finance.
8. Musbahu Dantata – $3.5 Billion
Musbahu Dantata is another key figure in the Dantata family with investments in oil and gas, trading, and logistics. He has links to MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, and several reports estimate his net worth to be around $3.5 billion.
Although he keeps a relatively low public profile, Musbahu is believed to have made strategic investments across West Africa. His wealth reflects the enduring economic influence of the Dantata dynasty.
9. Saadina Dantata – $300 Million
Saadina Dantata is the head of Danba Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in manufacturing, finance, and property development. She represents the modern face of the Dantata dynasty and is one of the few prominent female industrialists from Kano.
With an estimated net worth of $300 million, Saadina is known for her forward-thinking leadership and investments in real estate and logistics.
10. Sanusi Dantata – $200 Million
Sanusi Dantata, a grandson of Alhassan Dantata, is an engineer and businessman with stakes in hospitality, logistics, and transportation. Though not yet a billionaire, his estimated wealth of $200 million positions him as one of the influential figures in Kano's business landscape.
He is involved in modernizing logistics services in Northern Nigeria and continues to grow his family’s legacy through innovation and strategic investments.
Final Thoughts
Kano State continues to be a cradle of commerce and industry in Nigeria. The state's wealthiest sons have shown exceptional leadership in building empires that stretch across Africa. From manufacturing and oil to banking and aviation, these ten men exemplify the strength of Northern Nigeria's entrepreneurial spirit.
Not only have they amassed significant wealth, but they also contribute to societal growth through philanthropy, infrastructure development, and education. As the Nigerian economy evolves, these business titans remain key players in shaping its future—ensuring that Kano’s historical reputation as a center of wealth and influence endures.
