The South-East of Nigeria, home to Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, is widely recognized as the Igbo heartland.
This region has long been a hub of entrepreneurship, commerce, and innovation, producing some of Nigeria’s most industrious and financially successful citizens.
It is a place where determination meets opportunity and where businesses, big and small, thrive through resilience and strategic thinking.
The individuals who make this list of the top 10 billionaires in South-East Nigeria represent a diverse array of sectors.
From oil and gas to automotive, manufacturing, finance, and telecommunications, these business leaders have built empires that not only generate significant wealth but also create jobs, drive industrial growth, and shape the economy. Their stories reflect a mix of ambition, ingenuity, and the ability to navigate Nigeria’s challenging business sector.
Beyond business, many of them are notable philanthropists, contributing to education, healthcare, and community development in the region. Examining the wealthiest in the South-East offers a window into the economic powerhouses driving the region’s growth and influence, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity that define the Igbo commercial tradition.
Allen Ifechukwu Onyema founded Air Peace in 2013, building the carrier after years of regulatory and financing setbacks that began when he first pursued the idea in 2007. He has said the airline was created to expand Nigeria’s aviation capacity and drive job creation.
Air Peace has since grown into one of the country’s largest operators, flying major domestic routes and serving international destinations including Ghana, Senegal, India, China, the UAE, the US and others, with a fleet that includes three Boeing 777s.
Onyema’s public profile extends beyond aviation. A longtime advocate for national cohesion, he launched the Nigeria Forever Project in 2005 and later supported government efforts to reduce militancy in the Niger Delta. In 2019, he funded the evacuation of Nigerians affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa. A law graduate of the University of Ibadan, he currently serves as chief executive of Air Peace Limited.
