In a testament to Nigerian ingenuity and resilience, two Nigerian-born entrepreneurs, Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona, have been named among America’s richest immigrants in 2025, according to the latest rankings published by Forbes.
The exclusive list, which features 125 billionaires hailing from 41 countries, underscores the significant contributions immigrants continue to make in shaping the United States’ economy. Together, these immigrant billionaires hold 18% of America’s total billionaire wealth, despite representing just 14% of the country’s ultra-wealthy class.
Adebayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), ranked 77th on the list with a net worth of $2.4 billion. Known as the Nigerian investment banker behind GIP’s high-profile airport acquisitions — including London Gatwick and Edinburgh — Ogunlesi has long been a trailblazer in global private equity. A former adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, Ogunlesi remains one of the most influential figures in global finance.
Tope Awotona, the Atlanta-based tech entrepreneur and founder of scheduling software giant Calendly, secured the 106th spot with an estimated fortune of $1.4 billion. Awotona, who bootstrapped Calendly into one of the most successful tech startups in America, has become a symbol of innovation and business grit. His journey from Lagos to Silicon Valley success is regularly cited as a modern immigrant success story.
While South African-born Elon Musk — founder of Tesla and SpaceX — tops the list with a staggering $393.1 billion, Nigeria stands out with two representatives, solidifying its growing impact in finance and digital entrepreneurship globally.
South Africa led African representation on the list with three billionaires: Elon Musk, Patrick Soon-Shiong (pharmaceuticals, $5.6 billion), and Rodney Sacks (energy drinks, $3.6 billion). Nigeria follows closely with Ogunlesi and Awotona, while other African-born billionaires include Egypt’s Haim Saban ($3.1 billion), Morocco’s Marc Lasry ($1.9 billion), and Kenya’s Bharat Desai ($1.6 billion).
According to Forbes, 93% of the listed immigrant billionaires are self-made. The publication attributed their rise to what it calls an “immigrant mindset” — a blend of resilience, risk-taking, and relentless innovation.
The number of immigrant billionaires in the U.S. has risen steadily, from 92 in 2022 to 125 in 2025, signaling the deepening global diversity of America’s wealth landscape.
Back home, Nigerians have hailed the inclusion of Ogunlesi and Awotona on the list as inspirational. Economic analysts see the recognition as evidence of Nigeria’s rich human capital, which, if properly harnessed domestically, could drive local innovation and economic growth.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Yetunde Aina, a Lagos-based economist, said, “This is proof that with the right environment and support, Nigerian talent can thrive anywhere. It’s also a call to action for local policymakers to create conditions that allow entrepreneurs to succeed here.”
As Nigeria continues to battle economic challenges, rising youth unemployment, and capital flight, experts believe these success stories should motivate a national push for improved infrastructure, innovation hubs, and startup financing. If Nigeria can replicate the conditions that propelled Ogunlesi and Awotona to success, the country could produce not just global billionaires — but transformative local development.
Ogunlesi and Awotona’s inclusion in Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s richest immigrants is more than a personal achievement; it’s a spotlight on Nigeria’s capacity to compete at the highest levels of finance and tech. As the world increasingly turns its attention to immigrant contributions, these two Nigerians have positioned themselves as global standard-bearers of excellence, vision, and entrepreneurial tenacity.