Top 10 Richest Men In Gombe State (2024)

Gombe State, located in northeastern Nigeria, is the 21st largest in area and the 32nd most populous, with an estimated population of about 3.25 million as of 2016.

The state is known as a commercial hub for businessmen and is home to many successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who have made significant contributions to the state’s economy. Here, we will take a look at the top 10 richest men in Gombe, highlighting their achievements and influence in the state.

Top 10 Richest Men in Gombe State

1. Abubakar Buba Atare — $50 MILLION

Dr Abubakar Buba Atare II was born on August 16, 1987, in Tula Chiefdom in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria. He is the richest man in Gombe State with an estimated net worth of $50 million. Dr Abubakar became the second Mai or King of Tula Chiefdom on December 21, 2009, following the passing of his father, Buba K. Atare.

Abubakar Buba Atare attended Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University staff school for primary education and Federal Government colleges in Kwali for his secondary education. He later studied geography at the University of Abuja before completing his BSc Honors in software engineering with IT & BIS from Middlesex University London (Dubai Campus). Aside from his royal duties, Abubakar also worked as the Network Station Manager at CISCO Systems in Dubai Internet City, UAE.

2. Edward Lametek Adamu — $35 MILLION

Edward Lametek Adamu is a Nigerian business strategist who has had a successful career in various fields. He started working at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 1992. Over the years, he held different roles in different departments, including Strategy Management, Human Resources, and Projects Planning & Implementation. In 2012, he became the Director of the Strategy Management Department at the CBN. Later, in 2016, he was appointed as the Director of Human Resources at the CBN.

In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari nominated him as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. His appointment was then confirmed by the Nigerian Senate in March 2018. In addition to his role at the CBN, Adamu was also appointed as the Chairman of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) in December 2019. However, his tenure was cut short in September 2023 when President Bola Tinubu terminated his appointment along with the management of the CBN. Edward Lametek Adamu has an estimated net worth of $35 million.

3. Shehu Abubakar — $25 MILLION

Shehu Abubakar, born on December 17, 1977, is the 11th Emir of Gombe. He ascended the throne in June 2014, succeeding his father, Shehu Abubakar, who passed away in May of that same year. Before becoming Emir, he served as a Supervisory Councillor on the Gombe Local Government Council from 2006 to 2007. Following this, he worked as a personal assistant at the federal Nigerian Ministry of Defence in Abuja from 2007 to 2009.

Later, he held positions as the chairman of Kliptown Lagoon Nigeria Ltd and the executive director of Horizon Interlinks Global Resources. Abubakar, also known as Shehu-Abubakar III, is recognized for his contributions to traditional leadership in Nigeria and has an estimated net worth of $25 million.

4. Manasseh Daniel Jatau — $20 MILLION

Manasseh Daniel Jatau is the fifth richest man in Gombe State with an estimated net worth of $20 million. Manasseh Daniel Jatau, born on December 29, 1955, is a Nigerian politician who has been serving as the deputy governor of Gombe State since 2019. He was elected alongside Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya during the 2019 guber elections.

Before his role as deputy governor, Jatau held various positions in public service and politics. He has also been actively involved in Gombe politics for several years.

5. Eli Jidere Bala — $15 MILLION

Eli Jidere Bala, born on September 19, 1954, is a Nigerian professor of Mechanical Engineering. Bala obtained his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1977, followed by a Master of Engineering in 1980, both from Ahmadu Bello University. He furthered his education with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Applied Energy from Cranfield Institute of Technology in the United Kingdom in 1984.

Bala has had a distinguished career in academia and government service. He served in various roles at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, including as the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at different times from 1991 to 2006. Bala also served as the Rector of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic in Bauchi State from 1993 to 1997.

In addition, he worked in the Energy Commission of Nigeria, serving as the Deputy Director of Energy Planning and Analysis from 1999 to 2003 and later as the Director of Renewable Energy from 2006 to 2012. Eli Jidere Bala takes the sixth spot on our list of the richest men in Gombe with an estimated net worth of $15 million.

6. Victor Mela Danzaria — $10 MILLION

Victor Mela Danzaria, born in 1973, is a politician from the Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party. Before his political career, he was actively involved in the Nigerian-Canadian Association of Saskatchewan (NCAs), serving as an executive since its inception in 2016. Victor Mela also held important positions such as Vice Chairman of the Solid Minerals Committee.

In February 2019, he contested the National Assembly elections and won, representing the Balanga-Billiri Federal constituency in Gombe State. He garnered 45,112 votes during the election, defeating his opponent Ali Isa, who scored 35,395 votes. Victor Mela Danzaria has an estimated net worth of $10 Million.

7. Helon Habila — $5 MILLION

Helon Habila was born in November 1967 in Kaltungo, Gombe State. He is a prominent Nigerian novelist and poet who gained recognition for his literary works, winning prestigious awards such as the Caine Prize in 2001. Before achieving literary honour, Habila studied English Language and Literature at the University of Jos. He began his career as an instructor at the Federal Polytechnic in Bauchi, Nigeria, where he taught for three years.

In pursuit of his passion for writing, he moved to Lagos, where he contributed to Hints magazine and later became the Literary Editor at The Vanguard. In 2002, Habila embarked on a new chapter in his career by relocating to England as a Chevening Scholar at the University of East Anglia. This move marked a significant turning point as he transitioned from journalism to academia, teaching creative writing at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Alongside his teaching career, Habila ventured into publishing, co-owning Cordite Books, which aimed to fill a gap in the Nigerian market for crime fiction. Helon Habila has an estimated net worth of $5 million.

8. Joshua Lidani – $4 Million

Joshua Lidani is a former Senator for the Gombe South constituency of Gombe State, Nigeria. Before his political career, he worked as a lawyer. However, not much was known about his political career. Joshua Lidani was elected as a Senator in 2011 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party.

Throughout his career, he has contributed to legislative processes and decision-making in Nigeria. His tenure as a Senator allowed him to advocate for issues affecting his constituency and the nation as a whole. Joshua Lidani has an estimated net worth of $4 million.

9. Aliyu Modibbo Umar – $3 Million

Aliyu Modibbo Umar, born on November 15, 1958, in Gombea, is a notable figure in Nigerian politics and industry. He served in various governmental positions from the early 2000s onwards. From December 2002 to May 2003, he was the Minister of State for Power and Steel under President Olusegun Obasanjo. During his tenure, he addressed issues like rural electrification and tackled power outages.

In May 2003, he became the Chairman of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd. (PAN), where he initiated plans to restart Peugeot car manufacturing in Nigeria. He managed to resolve industrial disputes within the company and boosted PAN’s operations, even overseeing the first export of Nigerian-made Peugeot cars to other African nations. Later, from July 2006 to July 2007, he served as Nigeria’s Minister of Commerce. His contributions extended to governance as well, as he became the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from July 2007 to October 2008.

10. Jean Andeka – $2 million

Jean Andeka Umar is a Gombe-born politician who is based in Congo. He graduated with a law degree from the University of Kinshasa, Congo, and became a practising lawyer and politician in the country. In 2011, he made headlines as a candidate in the presidential election of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Conclusion

The richest men in Gombe State have not only amassed substantial wealth but have also made significant contributions to the economic development and social well-being of the region.

Through their entrepreneurial ventures, investments, and innovative business strategies, these men have created job opportunities, fostered economic growth, and supported local communities.

As Gombe State continues to evolve and attract investments, the entrepreneurial spirit and vision of these individuals will undoubtedly play a vital role in shaping its future trajectory and fostering sustainable development for generations to come.