In their native lands, they are adored, and occasionally they transcend borders. They seem like kings in all their magnificent majesty, and most of the time, wealth and monarchy go hand in hand.
It is rare to discover an impoverished monarch because most monarchs are supported by their kingdom, the wealth they have inherited from their ancestors or their own personal wealth.
A rich list of monarchs and their kingdoms in the West Africa Subregion has been uncovered by Davas News after extensive research, with Nigerian monarchs dominating the list with only one Ghanaian.
According to our findings, most of these kings obtain their wealth via government taxes, charitable giving from the public, companies, inherited wealth, and other endeavours.
The wealthiest kings in West Africa are listed below in a properly arranged order.
Don't be shocked if your favourite monarch isn't on the list; the information we had on some of the countries was rather limited and easily obtainable from other sources.
Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan of Ugbo Land Nigeria
Nigerian monarch Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan is in charge of the Ugbo Kingdom according to custom. The Ugbo Kingdom is located in the southwest Nigerian Ondo State's Ilaje Local Government. He was elected in 2009.
One of the largest privately held oil firms in Nigeria, Obat Oil, was founded by Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan. In Nigeria and London, he also has a sizable portfolio of premium residential and commercial real estate. He was regarded as Africa's second-richest king. The estimated net worth of Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan is $300 million.
Sultan Sa’adu Abubakar III of Sokoto
The 20th Sultan of Sokoto is Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar. He serves as a spiritual guide for Nigeria's Muslim community, which makes up more than 50% of the total population. In November 2006, he was crowned Sultan. He was in the military before to becoming the Sultan of Sokoto. In 1977, he received his appointment as a Second Lieutenant. He oversaw the Armoured Corps that protected General Babangida in the late 1980s. In Nigeria, Sultan Sa'adu Abubakar III is the second-richest monarch. His total wealth is $100 million.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
The 16th Asantehene, Osei Tutu II, assumed office on April 26, 1999. The founder of the Ashanti Empire in the 17th century, Otumfuo Osei Tutu I, is directly succeeded by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II by name. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology reports to him as its chancellor (KNUST). Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the United Grand Lodge of England's Sword Bearer and the Grand Patron of the Grand Lodge of Ghana.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has a $100 million net worth as of 2022. He is the ruler of the Ashanti kingdom, which has a lot of gold. The 16th Asantehene, Osei Tutu II, has been in charge since 26 April 1999.
The Otumfuo is the Asante Kotoko Football Club's owner and life patron.
He worked as a senior consultant for the Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company in Toronto, Canada, between 1981 and 1985.
In 1985, he moved back to London and took a position as personnel manager at the Brent Council's Manpower Services Commission. Later, he established Primoda Financial Services Limited, a home lending company with offices on Kilburn High Road in North West London. He went back to Ghana in 1989 to launch Transpomech International (Ghana) Limited, a transportation company.
Lamido Sanusi Lamido
The head of the Tijanniyah Sufi in Nigeria is Muhammadu Sanusi II, sometimes referred to as Khalifa Sanusi II. He was the former emir of the Kano state. Lamido Sanusi Lamido succeeded his uncle and was born into the royal dynasty. Between 2009 to 2014, banker and economist Sanusi oversaw the Central Bank of Nigeria. He introduced the $20 billion oil scandal while in office. The estimated value of Lamido Sanusi Lamido is $80 million.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan
The Yoruba kingdom's Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan is the 51st king. He took to the throne in 2015 after Oba Okunade Sijuwade died. One of the wealthiest rulers in Nigeria is Oba Adeyeye. Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Accountants and an Associate Accounting Technician. He also holds certification from the Institute of Directors and is a member of the Global Real Estate Institute. The estimated net worth of Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan is $70 million.
Oba Ewuare II Ogidigan
The 40th Emperor of the Benin Empire is Oba Ewuare II Ogidigan. He came to power in October 2016 and is one of Nigeria's wealthiest rulers. He conducted commercial operations and held several ambassadorial positions prior to assuming the position of power. The estimated net worth of Oba Ewuare II Ogidigan is $60 million.
Obi Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe of Onitsha Nigeria
Nnaemka Alfred, who became the 21st Obi of Onitsha in May 2002, was born on May 14, 1941. He is one of Eastern Nigeria's most well-known rulers. Nnaemeka now serves as the chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University and as the head of Unilever Nigeria's board of directors. Before going to Nigeria in 1972, he worked in the USA. He began working for Shell Petroleum Company in 1972, and as of right now, he serves as a trustee for the National Traditional Rulers Council. He served as the director of many Shell businesses between 1985 and 1987 in the UK, the Netherlands, Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia, the Gambia, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos Nigeria
Born on October 29, 1943, Oba Rilwan Akiolu became the 21st Oba of Lagos in May 2003. He obtained his law degree at the University of Lagos. He spent 32 years as a member of the Nigerian Police Force, rising to the rank of Assistant Inspector General. The estimated net worth of Oba Rilwan Akiolu is $40 million.
Togbe Afede XIV of Asogli State Ghana
James Akpo, the first Agbogbomefia, was born on April 23, 1957, and he was crowned in October 2003. He has an MBA from Yale School of Management and a Business Administration degree from the University of Ghana. Togbe is a great investor and holds the following titles. the World Trade Center Accra's present executive chairman, a representative on many firms' boards. He founded SAS Finance Group Ltd, which includes Strategic African Securities Ltd and SAS Investment Management Ltd. He founded Strategic Initiatives Ltd., a private equity investment firm (SIL). Co-founder of Databank Financial Services, Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Ltd, and Africa World Airlines Ltd. a big Accra Hearts of Oak FC shareholder