They say with great power comes great responsibility. I say with great kings come great wealth and power.  Before the colonial era, Africa was always ruled by kings.  Nigeria is a country with a lot of ancient customs and traditions and one of the most popular one of them all is crowning a king which has been in existence for a very long period of time.  Till today, villages and communities are ruled by kings. In Nigeria, thoba closest thing to a politician in terms wealth and power is a king. For those that do not have an idea about rich a king can be, here is a list of the ten richest kings in Nigeria.

1. Oba Obateru Akinrutan

Oba Obateru Akinrutan is the Olugbo of Ugbo land, a small oil-rich community in Ondo state. He ascended the throne in 2009. He is also the founder of Obat Oil, which is one of Nigeria’s largest privately owned oil trading companies, he is estimated to be worth about $300 million according to Forbes.

2. Oba Okunade Sijuwade

He was one of the richest kings in Nigeria with a Forbes estimated fortune of about $75 million dollars. He was the owner of Motel Royal hotel and founder of the Sijuwade Group amongst others. The deceased King had interest in Construction, Property, and Oil, he was the Ọọ̀ni of Ile-Ife, a part of Nigeria which so many people believe to be the traditional home of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria.

3. Obi of Onitsha

The Obi is the traditional King of Onitsha, Anambra State, in southeast Nigeria. Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe was born May 14, 1941. Achebe worked as a banker and a former Executive Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company. He is currently the present Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University. He holds a degree and masters from Stanford University and Columbia University both in the United States.

4. Sultan of Sokoto

Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar IV is regarded as one of the richest kings in Nigeria. He is the Sultan of Sokoto. The Sultan of Sokoto is the leader of all Muslims in Nigeria. What this means is that apart from being a king, he is also a religious leader. He is also the co-chairpersons of the Nigerian Council of Traditional Rulers.

5. Emir of Kano

The Emir is a respected academic and the former governor of the central bank of Nigeria. He is now the Emir of Kano. Mallam Muhammad Sanusi is the head of the whole Kano Emirate, he ascended to the throne after the death of Alhaji Dr. Ado Bayero, who was the emir of Kano for 51 years.

6. Alaafin Of Oyo

Lamidi Olayiwole III ascended to the throne after the demise of Alaafin Gbadegeshin. He is rated as one of the richest and influential kings in Nigeria.

7. Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Eniitan

Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Eniitan is rated as one of the richest kings in Nigeria. He ascended to the throne after the demise of Oba Okunade Sijuwade who was the second richest king in Nigeria before his death.  Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Eniitan is an accountant and a real estate developer. He is currently the 51st Ooni of Ife. He was born on the 17th of October 1974.

8. Oba Rilwan Akiolu

He is the King of one of the most independent cities in Africa – Lagos. People also call him the Eleko of Eko. He has served in the position since the year 2003 in the month of May. With Lagos being one of the most industrious and self-sustaining cities in Africa, lots of money is being made on a daily basis with tributes being delivered on a daily basis to the Oba/King.

9. Olu of Warri

With Warri being among one of the places filled with the largest crude oil deposits in the country, it is only natural that the King of Warri should be on this list. Referred to as the Olu of Warri, Godwin Toju Emiko who is originally a lawyer by profession is a wonderful ruler also. He rules over the itsekiri Kingdom and has lots of properties and assets generating income from crude oil and homages paid to him by subjects. He comes in at no 7 on this list.

10. Oba of Benin

In terms of influence, the Oba of Benin would be among the first 3 on this list. His rule dates back a long time, his relevance has never waned over the long period of time since they first existed as he is still called upon till date to settle and solve political disputes. The current Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II since his ascension to the throne has had a lot of royal tributes given to him. He gets wealth from homages, royalties or tributes and sales of lands in the state