Being born into some of Nigeria’s wealthiest families does not automatically mean a life of leisure. Several daughters of the country’s richest men have built real careers, some inside the family business, others entirely outside it. Here is what six of them actually do.
1. Halima Dangote — Group Executive Director, Dangote Family Office and International Offices
Aliko Dangote’s daughter holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the American Intercontinental University, London, and an MBA from Webster Business School. She started her career as a business analyst at KPMG before joining Dangote Group in 2008, where she has since held several executive roles, including Executive Director of NASCON and Executive Director of Dangote Flour Mills, where she led the company’s turnaround and its sale to Olam. In 2023, she was tasked with establishing the Dangote Family Office in Dubai, relocating there in 2024 to lead its governance framework and oversee the family’s global investments, wealth strategy and international expansion across the Group’s cement, sugar, salt and oil and gas businesses.
2. Bella Disu — Executive Vice Chairman, Globacom
Mike Adenuga’s daughter holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a Master’s in Leadership from Northeastern University, Boston. She joined Globacom, Nigeria’s second biggest telecoms company, as a sales executive in 2004 and rose to become Executive Vice Chairman. She is also the CEO of Cobblestone Properties and Estates Limited, chairs the board of Abumet Nigeria, an aluminium and glass solutions company, and sits on the board of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
3. DJ Cuppy (Florence Otedola) — DJ, Music Producer and Tourism Ambassador
Femi Otedola’s daughter holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from King’s College London (2014), a Master’s in Music Business from New York University’s Steinhardt School (2015), a Master’s in African Studies from the University of Oxford (2022), and a fourth qualification from the London School of Economics (2024). She built her music career from London club nights to international festival stages, releasing her debut album Original Copy and founding her own label, Red Velvet Music Group. She has served as a Tourism Ambassador for Nigeria since 2014, and in 2024 became the first Nigerian to host an opening session at the United Nations General Assembly.
4. Temi Otedola — Actress, Fashion Entrepreneur and L’Oréal Paris Ambassador
Femi Otedola’s youngest daughter studied law at King’s College London and built a following through her fashion blog, Temi’s Diary, before moving into acting. She made her acting debut in Kunle Afolayan’s Citation in 2020. In June 2024, L’Oréal Paris named her its first Nigerian Digital Brand Ambassador for Makeup, placing her alongside global ambassadors like Kendall Jenner and Viola Davis, and she has since walked during Paris Fashion Week.
5. Sharon Adeleke-Ademefun — Creative Director, Rona Wigs Studio and Executive Director, Pacific Holdings
Davido’s elder sister runs Rona Wigs Studio, her own hair and beauty brand, while also serving as an executive director at Pacific Holdings Limited, the conglomerate founded by their father, Dr Adedeji Adeleke.
6. Oge Elumelu — Future Trainee Solicitor, White and Case LLP
Tony Elumelu’s eldest daughter studied law at the London School of Economics. She is currently a future trainee solicitor at the international law firm White and Case LLP in London, having previously gained experience at UBA Group, Ashurst and Norton Rose Fulbright, alongside an internship with the African Union’s Office of the Youth Envoy. Outside law, she founded Africa and Everywhere, a podcast and festival connecting young Africans with opportunities across finance, fashion, beauty, entertainment and technology.
