After months of research and deliberation, Business Hallmark has finally named the 50 Most Influential Nigerians.
 |
Aliko Dangote |
At a press conference attended by a large number of editors from leading newspapers, radio and television stations in Nigeria, Publisher of Business Hallmark, Prince Emeka Obasi said: “It is a great honour for me to announce the names of the 50 Most Influential Nigerians.”
The Nigerians of power and influence according to Prince Obasi include President Goodluck Jonathan; Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan; Alhaji Namadi Sambo; Senator David Mark; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Mike Ighiadomhe; Professor Attahiru Jega; Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
Others are General Ibrahim Babangida; Gen. T.Y Danjuma; Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Bukola Saraki; Aliko Dangote; Dimeji Bankole; Yayale Ahmed; Hafiz Ringim; Lt. Gen. Ihejirika; Wole Soyinka; Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu; Dr. Raymond Dokpesi; Chief Tony Anenih; Muhammadu Buhari; Nduka Obaigbena and Aliyu Babangia Muazu, among others.
While answering questions on how the newspaper arrived at the list of most influential Nigerians in the corporate world, the Publisher explained that Alhaji Aliko Dangote is dominant in all, noting that Forbes magazine rated him as one of the richest Africans.
“Mike Adenuga is one of the richest guys in telecoms. Jimoh Ibrahim is a big player in oil and gas, aviation, publishing and hospitality, while Nduka Obiagbena is the publisher of the most influential newspaper in Nigeria.”
He also said that Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State almost didn’t make the list of 50 most influential Nigerians because of the presence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, he noted that while Fashola has become a template for performance, he has not projected much power as he has done in performance.
Obasi said the newspaper is trying to rebrand and position itself to be an authority and leading voice in political economy.
He also said the project was aimed at provoking interest and excitement among Nigerians.
“Our interest is simply to spice up the newsroom, generate debate and guide foreign investors interested in doing business in Nigeria.”
He also defended the authenticity and integrity of the list, saying that the names passed through rigorous screening exercise and standards adopted by the Business Hallmark newspaper.
The areas the 50 Most Influential Nigerians project covers include: General Leadership, Traditional Leadership, Corporate Nigeria, Law makers, The Governors, Women, Religious Leaders, Leading Nigerian States and Cities, etc. The project was carried out by a team of researchers, while the public was also involved through online participation.
Modeled after the Forbes list of the 500 richest people in the world, the project is part of the organization’s modest efforts to promote research and scholarship as well as assist all those interested in understanding contemporary Nigeria to appreciate the individuals and institutions that affect the dynamics of power and public policies
BUSINESS HALLMARK NIGERIANS OF POWER AND INFLUENCE PROJECT; 2010
1. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
2. Patience Jonathan
3. Namadi Sambo
4. David Mark
5. Olusegun Obasanjo
6. Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar (Sultan of Sokoto)
7. Mike Ighiadomhe (Chief of Staff)
8. Attahiru Jega
9. Bola Ahmed Tinubu
10. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
11. Ibrahim Babangida
12. Gen. T.Y. Danjuma
13. E.A. Adeboye
14. Bukola Saraki
15. Aliko Dangote
16. Dimeji Bankole
17. Yayale Ahmed
18. Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina Alu (Chief Justice)
19. Hafiz Ringim
20. Chief of Army Staff
21. Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse - II (Ooni of Ife)
22. Mike Adenuga
23. Nduka Obaigbena
24. Wole Soyinka
25. Alhaji Ado Bayero (Emir of Kano)
26. Muhammadu Buhari
27. Abdulsalami Abubakar
28. Aliyu Babangida Muazu
29. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
30. Yakubu Gowon
31. General Andrew Owoye-Azazi (NSA Director)
32. Anthony Cardinal Okogie
33. Deizani Alison-Madueke
34. Hon. Justice Ayo Isa Salami
35. Mr. Femi Otedola
36. Emir of Zaria
37. Shehu of Borno
38. Gov. Babatunde Fashola
39. Chief Tony Anenih
40. Alh. Shehu Shagari
41. Gov. Ibrahim Shekarau
42. Ita Ekpeyong (Director SSS)
43. Prof. OladapoA. Afolabi (HOS)
44. Dr. Alex Ekwueme
45. Prof. Wole Soyinka
46. Kayode Tokunbo
47. Hajiya Bola Shagaya
48. Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim
49. Chief Emeka Ojukwu
50. Dr. Raymond Dokpesi
MOST STRATEGIC STATES
1. Lagos
2. Rivers
3. Kano
4. Delta
5. Akwa Ibom
6. Bayelsa
7. Kaduna
8. Imo
9. Ogun
10. Borno
MOST INFLUENTIAL GOVERNORS
1. Bukola Saraki
2. Babatunde Fashola
3. Aliyu Babangida Muazu
4. Rotimi Amaechi
5. Ibrahim Shekarau
6. Godswill Akpabio
7. Gbenga Daniel
8. Adams Oshiohmole
9. Sule Lamido
10. Peter Obi
MOST STRATEGIC CITIES
1. Abuja
2. Lagos
3. Port Harcourt
4. Kano
5. Kaduna
6. Jos
7. Enugu
8. Maiduguri
9. Uyo
10. Owerri
MOST STRATEGIC PUBLIC OFFICES
1. President, Commander-In-Chief
2. Vice President
3. President of the Senate
4. Chief of Staff to President Jonathan
5. Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN
6. Speaker, House of Reps
7. Chief of Army Staff
8. Inspector General of Police
9. Minister of Petroleum
10. Central Bank of Nigeria
MOST INFLUENTIAL NIGERIANS IN CORPORATE NIGERIA
1. Aliko Dangote
2. Mike Adenuga
3. Femi Otedola
4. Jimoh Ibrahim
5. Jim Ovia
6. Tony Elumelu
7. Oba Otudeko
8. Nduka Obaigbena
9. Wale Tinubu
10. Arumeme Johnson
MOST RELIGIOUS LEADERS
1. Pastor Enoch Adeboye
2. Anthony Cardinal Okogie
3. Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh
4. Bishop David Oyedepo
5. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor
6. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
7. Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi
8. Dr. Daniel Olukoya
9. Pastor Temitope Joshua
10. Pastor Tunde Bakare
MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN
1. Mrs. (Dame) Patience Jonathan
2. Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke
3. Mrs. Farida Waziri
4. Hajiya Bola Shagaya
5. Mrs. Josephine Aneninh
6. Mrs. Amina Zubairu
7. Dr. Okonjo Iweala
8. Arumeh Oteh
9. Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okaru
10. Dora Akunyili
TOP BRANDS
1. Coca Cola
2. Star
3. MTN
4. Glo
5. First Bank
6. Guinness
7. GTB
8. Zenith
9. UBA
10. Dangote
