Forbes has revealed its 2024 ForbesBLK 50 list, which honors the wealthiest and most influential Black Americans. This year’s list features three Nigerians—Adebayo Ogunlesi, Tope Awotona, and Wemimo Abbey—highlighting their significant contributions to various industries and their entrepreneurial successes. These trailblazers join the ranks of influential figures shaping the future of business and society, and their achievements are celebrated as part of the prestigious list.
The ForbesBLK 50 is a modern take on the 2009 Wealthiest Black Americans list, which once included major figures like Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson. While net worth remains an essential component in the rankings, the revamped list also takes into account innovation, leadership, and the societal impact of these individuals. The inclusion of Ogunlesi, Awotona, and Abbey showcases the evolving influence of Nigerians in global business.
Adebayo Ogunlesi, who has an impressive net worth of $1.7 billion, is a distinguished figure in global infrastructure investment. As the chairman and co-founder of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Ogunlesi has been instrumental in shaping the world of private equity. His leadership helped guide GIP through a transformative acquisition by BlackRock in 2024, valued at $12.5 billion. Before venturing into infrastructure, Ogunlesi, a Harvard-educated lawyer and banker, spent over two decades at Credit Suisse. His impact extends far beyond financial success, as he is now regarded as a key figure in transforming infrastructure investment on a global scale.
Tope Awotona, the Nigerian entrepreneur who founded Calendly, also made the ForbesBLK 50 list with a net worth of $1.4 billion. Awotona’s journey began in Lagos before he moved to Atlanta as a teenager, where he later pursued business and management information studies at the University of Georgia. After experiencing several entrepreneurial setbacks, Awotona launched Calendly in 2013, a solution born out of his frustration with inefficient scheduling. Calendly has since revolutionized how people coordinate meetings, and the platform raised $350 million in 2021, pushing its valuation to $3 billion. With millions of users worldwide, Calendly’s impact on productivity and efficiency is undeniable, making Awotona one of the most recognized entrepreneurs in tech today.
Wemimo Abbey, at just 32 years old, is the youngest Nigerian on the list. Abbey is the co-founder of Esusu, an innovative fintech company dedicated to improving financial inclusion. Esusu allows renters to build their credit by reporting rent payments to credit bureaus, a service now utilized by more than 20,000 properties and benefiting 1.8 million Americans. Abbey, who grew up in Lagos, has a background in mergers and acquisitions consulting. His passion for leveraging technology to address global social challenges led to the creation of Esusu, which achieved a $1 billion valuation in 2022 following a $130 million funding round. Abbey’s work exemplifies the power of technology to drive positive social change, and his success speaks to his relentless pursuit of making financial systems more inclusive.
The inclusion of these three Nigerians on the ForbesBLK 50 list is a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and dedication to addressing global challenges. Their stories demonstrate that innovation and perseverance can lead to monumental success, and their contributions continue to shape industries and impact lives worldwide.
ForbesBLK, which launched the updated list, aims to go beyond traditional measures of wealth by recognizing the broader impact and influence of Black Americans. As we look ahead, the accomplishments of Ogunlesi, Awotona, and Abbey suggest a new generation of African entrepreneurs who are not only breaking boundaries but also shaping the future of global business. Their success stories serve as a source of inspiration, especially for those who seek to challenge the status quo and drive positive change in the world.