There is currently no consensus as to who is the richest man in the South-East Nigeria. Ask 20 people from the South-East and they would give you 20 names.
But there is an answer that is closer to the truth. IgboPeople.org and Pulse said Mr Arthur Eze is the richest man in the South-East region, with a networth of $5.8 billion. This was corroborated by Viral Network, which quoted his net worth as $5.7 billion as of 2020, as reported by the BBC.
Mr Eze, an engineer, is the chief executive officer of Atlas Oranto Petroleum and pro-chancellor of Peaceland University Enugu, Enugu State. Atlas Oranto Petroleumm and Atlas Petroleum International operate under the Atlas Oranto Group and have a significant presence across the continent. It owns 22 oil and gas licenses in 12 jurisdictions, spanning across 11 African countries, with a strong focus on West Africa.
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Atlas Oranto Group says it represents an optimal partner to foreign entities looking to enter sub-Saharan markets and marry local knowledge with technical and financial expertise.
“Our deep roots in the countries where we work also ensure that the benefits of resource extraction extend to local communities. Comprising a management team of African petroleum industry specialists with a wealth of expertise and career-long international exposure, the Atlas / Oranto Group is one of the only large-scale, indigenous E&P firms made in Africa and operating across African borders,” the Group says on its LinkedIn profile.
Born on November 12, 1948, the richest man in the Igbo-speaking part of Nigeria is the younger brother to the traditional ruler or monarch of Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government of Anambra State, Igwe Robert Eze. He obtained a degree in Mechanical and Chemical Engineering between 1974 and 1978 from California State University, Long Beach.
His father was a member Eastern House of Chiefs during the time of Nnamdi Azikiwe and then Premier, Mr Michael Okpara.
Support for Abacha
Mr Eze, who is popularly known as ‘Eze n’Ukpo of Dunukofia,’ was an unrepentant Abacha apologist and chairman of Triax Airline. He disappeared from public view after the death of General Sani Abacha, claiming that he wanted to give full attention to his business and philanthropic activities. He campaigned vigorously for the maximum dictator to return to power as a civilian president, drawing the ire of civil society groups and several Nigerians.
Also known as ‘Arthur 1000,’ Mr Eze claimed in 2009 that late Mr Abacha’s military dictatorship was Nigeria’s best government. He has been credited with other controversial and disputable quotes such as “Abacha saved Nigeria from disintegration,” and “Abacha was a leader who kept Nigeria together during a very difficult time.”
The silent political godfather
While not in active politics, Mr Eze has been credited with backing all the past and present governors in Anambra, his home state. He doles out money to support any candidate of his choice, including presidents across Africa. He fell out with the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr Willie Obiano, over issues on governance.
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In 2020, Mr Obiano suspended 12 traditional rulers who visited Mr Eze in Abuja, drawing condemnation from several Nigerians, including Igwe Nnaemeka Ache,e.
Some of the suspended monerchs were: Igwe Alex Edozieuno (Mkpunando), Igwe Mark Okonkwo (Alor), Igwe Chukuwma Orji (Ezinifite), Igwe G.B.C. Mbakwe (Abacha), Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo (Nawfia), Igwe Nkeli Nelly (Igbariam), Igwe Anthony Onyekwere (Owelle), Igwe A. N. Onwuneme (Ikenga), Igwe Simon Chidubem (Umumbo), Igwe S. O. Uche (Ezira), Igwe Emeka Ilouno (Ifitedunu) and Igwe Peter Udoji (Eziagulu Otu).
Speaking in Ukpo in August 2020, the South-East richest man said, “I’m not afraid of anybody. I have installed three African presidents. One of them gave me oil blocks in his country. I have assisted in enthroning many governors in Nigeria. I have given a governorship candidate N10 billion to assist him prosecute his election. I didn’t know the candidate from Adam. He just approached me and told me about himself and his people; I empthatised with him and gave him the money.
“Obiano is just a small fry. Even this Obiano, I have given him financial assistance as a person and as a governor several times. I have no personal problems with him. My grouse with him is that he is not doing the right things as a governor.
“Many people are suffering under his government. He is not paying the traditional rulers in the state their five percent entitlement from the local government allocation.”
Arthur Eze and Igbo presidency
The people of the region feel marginalised that they have not produced a president since Mr Nnamdi Azikiwe of the First Republic.
In spite of this, Mr Eze does not feel it is yet time for the region to produce the Nigerian president. His views about the Igbo Presidency have drawn hatred for him and people in his school of thought. “For the Igbo to be president, they must love themselves. Do you love yourselves?” he asked in an interview with ThisDay in 2020.
“These South East governors, does any of them ask whether you eat or not? Abacha attended a meeting with General Husseni as chairman. He allocated 5 percent to each local government. The North is implementing their own up till today. Governor of Enugu State is implementing their own. Does Anambra governor implement it? Dunukofia Local Government Area makes about N150 million every month. Has Governor Obiano built anything in Dunukofia?” It is not clear whether his view was informed by his contretemps with former Governor Obiano.”
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In the 2023 presidential election, he opposed the presidential candidacy of former Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who come from the same region as him. “I warned Peter Obi to withdraw from this race but he would not listen. I told him plainly that I am not part of his plans,” Punch quoted Eze as saying.
“I told him to drop his ambition, and wait for next time. When he told me about his ambition, I asked him the states he thinks he can win in the west and in the north. He told me, but I was not convinced.”
However, even though Mr Peter Obi was no declared winner in the election, he won 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which was exactly the same number of states won by both Mr Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The billionaire, who appears to enjoy controversy, said in May 2025 that Mr Tinubu is God’s gift to Nigeria.
