Insight

• Infinity Media
• 6 Min Read

Taraba State Billionaires: Top 10 Richest Men In Taraba State

Hello, my ambitious brothers and sisters! ✨

Today, we’re taking a proper road trip—not to Gembu or Mambilla, but into the world of money, power, and influence—Taraba edition! Yes o, don’t let the quiet reputation of the state fool you. From Takum to Jalingo, Taraba is home to some serious heavyweights who have built wealth from oil, politics, logistics, agriculture, and even philanthropy.

Whether you're plotting your next side hustle, hoping to level up financially, or just need a motivational boost, this list of Taraba’s richest men will blow your mind—and maybe make you question your career choices (gently, I promise 😅).

Let’s dive in.

1. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (TY Danjuma)

• Estimated Net Worth: $750 Million

• Main Industries: Oil & Gas, Shipping, Real Estate, Philanthropy

• Local Government Area: Takum

Ah, TY Danjuma. This man is practically the Elon Musk of Taraba—without the Twitter drama. A retired Nigerian Army General who fought in the civil war, TY didn’t just retire to play golf. No sir. He went on to build an empire, founding South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO) and owning NAL-Comet, one of Nigeria’s biggest shipping companies.

Beyond money, he’s also known for his generous TY Danjuma Foundation, which supports health, education, and poverty alleviation across Nigeria. Who says you can’t have power and a heart?

2. Rev. Jolly Tavoro Nyame

• Estimated Net Worth: $650 Million

• Main Industries: Real Estate, Agriculture, Politics

• Local Government Area: Zing

His name is Jolly, and true to the name, this former Catholic priest had quite a jolly political journey. From the pulpit to the Governor’s Office, Jolly Nyame served three terms as Governor of Taraba State. And during his time in power, he made some serious financial moves—both celebrated and controversial.

Even after his time in office, Nyame reportedly held onto a robust investment portfolio, ranging from estates to agricultural ventures. After receiving a presidential pardon, he remains a respected (and wealthy) figure in the Taraba political landscape.

3. Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi

• Estimated Net Worth: $550 Million

• Main Industries: Oil, Real Estate, Hospitality

• Local Government Area: Karim Lamido

Sani Danladi is proof that sometimes your fallback plan becomes the jackpot. Once deputy governor, then acting governor, then senator—Danladi knows politics like the back of his hand. But outside of the red chambers, he’s also a businessman with investments in oil marketing and property.

He’s built his legacy with a unique blend of influence and enterprise, and his luxurious hotels in the north speak volumes about his taste and ambition.

4. Murtala Abdullahi Ishaku

• Estimated Net Worth: $500 Million

• Main Industries: Oil Exploration, Haulage, Infrastructure

• Local Government Area: Bali

Murtala Ishaku is what you call lowkey loud. You might not hear his name in the gossip blogs, but his wallet speaks volumes. As an investor in upstream oil and logistics, Murtala has built an empire moving both goods and wealth across Nigeria.

He’s also said to be one of the major funders behind infrastructure development in the northeast. Power in silence, my people.

5. Chief David Sabo Kente (DSK)

• Estimated Net Worth: $300 Million

• Main Industries: Hospitality, Oil, Philanthropy

• Local Government Area: Wukari

Popularly known as DSK, Chief David Sabo Kente is that guy who combines business with service. He’s the founder of DSK Group International, a company active in hospitality, oil, and construction. But what really stands out is his DSK Foundation, which has offered thousands of scholarships and empowered youth across the state.

Chief Kente once ran for governor, and although he didn’t win, he definitely won hearts—and bags.

6. Chief Emmanuel B.B. Ishaku

• Estimated Net Worth: $250 Million

• Main Industries: Agriculture, Warehousing, Export

• Local Government Area: Sardauna

If you’ve eaten any rice, maize, or millet processed in Taraba, there’s a big chance Chief Ishaku had a hand in it. His agricultural business spans hectares on the Mambilla Plateau, and he exports processed grains across West Africa.

He’s also a fierce advocate for local farming, investing heavily in warehousing, irrigation, and training programs. In a world where everyone wants to work from laptops, this man is reminding us that farming still feeds both the nation—and the bank account.

7. Chief Julius Kai

• Estimated Net Worth: $200 Million

• Main Industries: Transport, Logistics, Real Estate

• Local Government Area: Ardo-Kola

From humble beginnings with one truck, Julius Kai now runs one of the largest logistics chains moving food, goods, and equipment across Nigeria. He also owns warehouses and real estate from Jalingo to Kaduna. His success story is literally about moving things—and he’s moved all the way to the top.

8. Chief Johnson O. Onu

• Estimated Net Worth: $180 Million

• Main Industries: Manufacturing, Distribution

• Local Government Area: Ussa

Plastic might not sound exciting, but Onu made it shine. From buckets to containers, his manufacturing empire produces goods that fill homes from Jalingo to Accra. His factories employ hundreds, and his distribution network is said to be one of the best organized in Nigeria.

Let this be your reminder: sometimes, the ordinary things—like plastic—make extraordinary wealth.

9. Alhaji Bashir Marafa

• Estimated Net Worth: $150 Million

• Main Industries: Telecom Infrastructure, Real Estate

• Local Government Area: Gassol

As mobile phones took over Nigeria, Bashir Marafa was busy putting up the towers to make it all work. He’s one of the biggest telecom mast contractors in the northeast, and his investments in real estate are no joke.

He’s also known for mentoring tech-based startups. A true visionary, and one that proves you don’t have to be the face of tech to profit from it.

10. Abubakar Umar Tutare

• Estimated Net Worth: $100 Million

• Main Industries: Construction, Oil & Gas

• Local Government Area: Jalingo

Former senator, commissioner, and now businessman, Tutare represents the new-age politico-preneur. His companies handle construction and oil projects in northern Nigeria. With a solid background in public finance, he took his government experience into the business world—and struck gold.

Summary Table: Top 10 Richest Men in Taraba State

Final Thoughts for the Hustling Youths

So, what’s the lesson here?

• You don’t need to be loud to be rich. Most of these men aren’t trending on social media, but they’re trending in their bank accounts.

• Multiple income streams matter. From oil to farming to transport—they diversified.

• Public service can lead to private success. Several of them used their political experience to enter the business world strategically.

• Impact is key. Scholarships, training, and development projects feature heavily in their stories.

Whether you’re from Wukari or Warri, one thing is clear: there is wealth to be made if you’re strategic, disciplined, and passionate.

So keep pushing, keep learning, and remember—someday, someone might be writing about you on a list like this.