Forbes has unveiled its prestigious 2024 ForbesBLK 50 list, recognizing three Nigerians among the most influential and wealthiest Black Americans: Adebayo Ogunlesi, Tope Awotona, and Wemimo Abbey.
Adebayo Ogunlesi, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in infrastructure investment, boasts a net worth of $1.7 billion. As the chairman and co-founder of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Ogunlesi played a pivotal role in orchestrating the firm’s transformative acquisition by BlackRock earlier this year for $12.5 billion.
Tope Awotona, the visionary founder and CEO of Calendly, has revolutionized scheduling efficiency. His innovative platform has earned him a net worth of $1.4 billion, solidifying his place as a leader in the tech industry.
The youngest among the trio, Wemimo Abbey, 32, co-founded Esusu, an African fintech company tackling financial inclusion. Esusu enables renters to build credit by reporting rent payments to credit bureaus. With services reaching over 20,000 properties and benefiting 1.8 million Americans, Abbey’s impact on the financial ecosystem is profound.
The achievements of these individuals underscore the power of innovation and legitimate business practices in creating transformative wealth. Forbes highlighted their success as a testament to the opportunities available through ethical and innovative means.
