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.
Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is a Nigerian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and politician, best known as the founder and chairman of Orient Global Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests across real estate, manufacturing, and services.
Born in Ebonyi State, Odii holds a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the National Open University of Nigeria and a Doctor of Science in Strategic Business Management & Corporate Governance from the European American University, Panama. He also completed the Chief Executive Program at Lagos Business School and serves on the governing boards of Lagos State University and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School.
Odii’s business acumen has earned him recognition as one of Guardian Newspaper’s top 50 CEOs impacting Nigeria’s GDP growth in 2021, and he has received the Independent Newspaper Philanthropist of the Year award. Through the Ebele and Anyichuks Foundation, he has delivered housing, roads, churches, scholarships, and COVID-19 relief across Nigeria. In politics, he was the 2023 PDP gubernatorial candidate for Ebonyi State.
