Jigawa State, a quiet but agriculturally rich state in Northern Nigeria, is often viewed through the lens of its farmlands and serene rural landscapes. But beneath this image lies a rising class of wealthy individuals who have quietly amassed fortunes across diverse sectors such as logistics, agriculture, oil and gas, politics, construction, and finance. From powerful political elites to self-made industrialists and legacy billionaires, Jigawa State has produced some of the most influential and wealthy men in Northern Nigeria.
In this post, we explore the top 10 richest men in Jigawa State as of 2025, delving into their net worth, industries of influence, and the stories behind their financial empires. These men not only contribute to Jigawa's economy but also impact Nigeria's broader socio-political and business landscape.
1. Alhaji Aminu Dantata – Estimated Net Worth: $1 Billion+
Alhaji Aminu Dantata is often referred to as the patriarch of modern Northern Nigerian enterprise. Though originally from Kano, he has strong roots and business influence in Jigawa State, where the Dantata family holds large investments. Born in 1931, Dantata is a seasoned business mogul with interests in oil and gas, real estate, agriculture, banking, and international trade.
As chairman of the Dantata Group, his reach extends beyond state lines, with assets across Nigeria and even internationally. Companies under his umbrella include Express Petroleum & Gas, Dantata and Sawoe Construction, and stakes in Jaiz Bank. At over 90 years old, Alhaji Aminu Dantata’s business empire remains robust, and his estimated net worth surpasses $1 billion, making him the richest man associated with Jigawa State.
2. Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar – Estimated Net Worth: $500 Million
A two-time governor of Jigawa State and now Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar blends politics with successful entrepreneurship. Before entering public office, Badaru built a business empire through his company TALBA Group, which spans agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics.
As a trained accountant and a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Badaru understood the intricacies of finance and business early on. His wealth grew from investments in rice milling, agro-processing, and real estate across the northern region. His estimated net worth sits at $500 million, making him the second richest man in Jigawa.
3. Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua – Estimated Net Worth: $400 Million
Until his passing in 2020, Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua was a political heavyweight and industrialist with close ties to Jigawa. He founded Bulet International Nigeria Limited, one of the major construction firms responsible for multiple public infrastructure projects in Nigeria.
His influence extended to media, where he established the Democrat Newspaper, and textiles, through the Funtua Textile Mill. Known for his links to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ismaila Funtua was a powerful figure in Nigeria’s political and economic elite. At the time of his passing, his net worth was estimated at around $400 million.
4. Alhaji Salihu Indimi – Estimated Net Worth: $350 Million
Salihu Indimi is the son of Mohammed Indimi, one of Nigeria’s oil tycoons and the founder of Oriental Energy Resources. Salihu plays a key role in managing and expanding the family’s business empire, which spans oil exploration, real estate, and international trading.
Though the Indimi family is primarily based in Borno, their vast business interests stretch across several northern states including Jigawa. Salihu's estimated net worth of $350 million is built on both inheritance and his active role in expanding Oriental Energy’s footprint.
5. Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal – Estimated Net Worth: $300 Million
From humble beginnings as a truck driver, Dahiru Mangal has risen to become a dominant figure in Nigeria’s logistics, aviation, and energy sectors. As the founder of Max Air Limited, he owns one of Nigeria’s largest privately-owned airlines, operating both domestic and international flights.
He also chairs the AFDIN Group, with interests in construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, and agriculture. His connections to Jigawa State stem from both his extended logistics operations and business deals in the region. His net worth is estimated at $300 million.
6. Alhaji Suleiman Adamu – Estimated Net Worth: $250 Million
Suleiman Adamu is the founder of Brisk Capital Limited, a leading logistics and import-export company in Jigawa. Known for his strategic insight and ability to build supply chain networks across Nigeria, Adamu has expanded his business into real estate and agricultural commodities.
His consistent reinvestment into the Jigawa economy has earned him widespread recognition. With contracts in both the public and private sectors, his fortune is valued at $250 million.
7. Alhaji Alhassan Dantata – Estimated Net Worth: $230 Million
As a member of the expansive Dantata family, Alhassan Dantata continues the legacy through ventures in retail distribution, agro-allied services, and trading. He is known for founding Express Discount Limited, which plays a key role in the consumer goods market in northern Nigeria.
His wealth, estimated at $230 million, is derived from decades of steady business growth and his ability to tap into underserved rural markets in Jigawa and surrounding states.
8. Alhaji Nasiru Dantata – Estimated Net Worth: $200 Million
Another strong player in the Dantata family tree, Nasiru Dantata holds leadership roles in several subsidiaries of the Dantata Group. His business interests include cement distribution, real estate, and infrastructure development.
He plays an active role in deploying capital into projects in Jigawa, particularly in construction and housing. His estimated net worth is around $200 million.
9. Alhaji Sani Dawood – Estimated Net Worth: $180 Million
Sani Dawood is the founder and CEO of Dawood Group, a diversified conglomerate based in Jigawa with special focus on livestock, crop production, grain processing, and export. His operations support hundreds of farmers and help Jigawa maintain its status as an agricultural hub.
With vertical integration that covers everything from farming to packaging and distribution, Dawood’s influence in agribusiness has earned him an estimated net worth of $180 million.
10. Alhaji Bashari Umaru – Estimated Net Worth: $150 Million
Rounding out the list is Bashari Umaru, a construction mogul and the CEO of Bakeup Services Limited, one of Jigawa State’s most prominent infrastructure and engineering firms. His company has secured large-scale government contracts for roads, bridges, and urban development projects.
Umaru’s wealth, estimated at $150 million, is a reflection of his company’s steady growth over two decades and the increasing demand for infrastructure in Jigawa and beyond.
Conclusion
Jigawa State may not be as commercially flashy as Lagos or Abuja, but it is home to some of Nigeria’s most powerful and wealthy individuals. These ten men have carved out niches in diverse industries, showing that prosperity in Nigeria isn’t confined to its southern cities. Through a combination of political capital, family legacy, entrepreneurial grit, and strategic investment, they have built vast fortunes and continue to impact lives and businesses across the country.
Their stories offer inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and a blueprint for creating wealth that benefits not just individuals but communities and future generations.
