Two Nigerian-born entrepreneurs, Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona, have been listed among America’s richest immigrants in 2025, according to the latest ranking released by Forbes.
The list features 125 billionaires from 41 countries, representing 14 percent of all U.S.-based billionaires. Collectively, they hold 18 percent of the country’s total billionaire wealth.
The ranking highlights the influence of immigrant entrepreneurs in shaping major sectors of the U.S. economy, especially technology and finance.
Ogunlesi, who is recognized for his work in private equity, ranks 77th on the list with an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion.
Awotona, the founder of scheduling software company Calendly, is listed at 106th with a net worth of $1.4 billion.
South African-born Elon Musk tops the list and remains the world’s wealthiest individual, with an estimated fortune of $393.1 billion.
Musk migrated to the United States via Canada and built his wealth through ventures like Tesla and SpaceX.
Africa’s representation on the list is led by South Africa with three entries: Elon Musk; Patrick Soon-Shiong ($5.6 billion, pharmaceuticals); and Rodney Sacks ($3.6 billion, energy drinks). Nigeria follows with Ogunlesi and Awotona, underscoring the country’s growing presence in global innovation and finance.
Other African-born billionaires on the list include: Haim Saban (Egypt) – $3.1 billion, television and investments; Marc Lasry (Morocco) – $1.9 billion, hedge funds and Bharat Desai (Kenya) – $1.6 billion, IT consulting.
According to Forbes, 93 per cent of the immigrants on the list are self-made, and their growing number — up from 92 in 2022 to 125 in 2025 — reflects what the publication describes as the “immigrant mindset,” characterized by resilience, risk-taking, and innovation.
Top 10 Richest Immigrants in America – 2025 (Forbes)
1. Elon Musk – $393.1B2. Sergey Brin – $139.7B
3. Jensen Huang – $137.9B
4. Thomas Peterffy – $67.9B
5. Miriam Adelson & Family – $33.4B
6. Rupert Murdoch & Family – $24B
7. Peter Thiel – $21.8B
8. Jay Chaudhry – $17.9B
9. Jan Koum – $16.9B
10. John Tu – $14.1B
