The Adeleke surname is well known in Nigeria across many industries like politics, education, business, and religion. You may have heard of them in entertainment, especially the famous Nigerian musician David Adedeji Adeleke Jr, popularly known as Davido, who refers to himself as “Omo Baba Olowo.”
His father, Adedeji Adeleke, has an impressive net worth as a successful Nigerian businessman and billionaire. With an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion, Adedeji Adeleke is one of the richest people in Africa. He founded and leads Pacific Holdings Limited and serves as Adeleke University’s president.
Beyond his fame and wealth, Adedeji Adeleke is also notable as the father of Grammy-nominated artist and brother of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
We conducted a detailed research on Adeleke and in this article, we explore Adeleke net worth, his income sources, biography, and rise to wealth.
| Name | Adedeji Tajudeen Adeleke |
| Date of Birth | 6, March 1957 |
| Nationality | Nigeria |
| Marriage Status | Dr Veronica Imade Adeleke (died 6th March 2003) |
| Children | Three (3) |
| State of Origin | Osun State |
| Source of Wealth | Real Estate and Businesses |
| Companies | Adeleke University, Pacific Holdings Limited |
| Net worth | $1.7 billion (estimated) |
Adeleke Biography
Adedeji Tajudeen Adeleke was born on March 6, 1957 in Enugu State, Nigeria to Mr. Raji Ayoola and Mrs. Esther Nnenna Adeleke. Although born in Enugu, he is originally from Osun State. He lived in Enugu with his maternal grandmother during his early childhood before moving to Lagos.
Adedeji Adeleke Education
Adedeji had primary education at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School in Lagos from 1965 to 1970. After completing primary school, he attended Seventh Day Adventist Grammar School in Osun State for his secondary education, obtaining his West African School Certificate in 1975.
He then left Nigeria to further his studies abroad. In 1976, while working at the Federal Ministry of Education, Adedeji gained admission to Western Kentucky University in the United States. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. He then obtained an MBA from the same university in 1981.
Adedeji also earned a PhD in Business Administration from Columbia Pacific University in San Rafael, California, in 1981. After completing his NYSC in Nigeria, he established Pacific Holdings Limited in 1983, specializing in various services like drilling and water treatment. The company was incorporated in 1990.
In 1996, Adedeji founded the non-profit Springtime Development Foundation, which focused on education. He is also the founder and current Pro-Chancellor of Adeleke University, established in 2011 in Osun State.
Adeleke Net Worth
Dr. Adedeji Adeleke is considered one of the richest men in Nigeria, with a net worth estimated at $1.7 billion as of 2023.
How He Makes His Money
He derives the majority of his wealth from his business conglomerate, Pacific Holdings Limited and the Adeleke University.
Pacific Holdings
Pacific Holdings operates in various sectors including geographical surveys, water treatment, drilling of boreholes, agriculture, energy and power generation, freight services, banking, real estate, entertainment and securities. Over decades, Adeleke has built Pacific Holdings into a highly profitable multi-industry powerhouse through strategic investments and management.
As the founder and CEO of Pacific Holdings, Adeleke leverages the extensive operations of the various subsidiary companies under its umbrella to grow his net worth continuously. Some of the most notable companies include Pacific Drilling Company Limited, Pacific Energy & Gas Limited, and Pacific Securities Limited.
Adeleke University
In addition to Pacific Holdings, Adeleke also derives wealth from his role as the Pro-Chancellor of Adeleke University, a private university he established in 2011 in Osun State. The university is reputed for its high academic standards and contributions to education and research.
Aside from his business interests, Adeleke is involved in philanthropic endeavours through his Springtime Development Foundation, which focuses on education, healthcare and poverty alleviation initiatives. However, the bulk of his $1.7 billion net worth is primarily attributed to his successful business career spanning over three decades.
Given his diverse portfolio of companies, investments, real estate holdings and other assets, Adeleke is considered the richest man in Osun State and one of the richest people in all of Nigeria. Even at 65 years old, he continues to manage and grow his business empire deftly, ensuring his status as a billionaire remains undisputed for years to come.
Adeleke Cars
Adedeji Adeleke, a prominent Nigerian billionaire renowned for his opulent lifestyle, has curated an impressive collection of high-end automobiles that epitomize luxury and extravagance. Two standout models in his lavish car collection are the 2017 Bentley Mulsanne and the Rolls Royce Phantom, both symbolizing his penchant for the finest automotive craftsmanship.
- 2017 Bentley Mulsanne
- Engine: 6.8-litre V-8
- Horsepower: 505
- Key Features: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-car 4G LTE data connection, 60GB media storage, electric curtains, LED headlights.
- Price: Approximately $350,000 (N134,480,500)
- Rolls Royce Phantom
- Engine: 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V-12
- Horsepower: 563
- Key Features: Exquisite interior, top-of-the-line engineering.
- Price: Starting at $450,000 (N172,903,500)
Adedeji Adeleke’s choice of these high-calibre vehicles showcases his commitment to the epitome of automotive luxury, reflecting his financial prowess and appreciation for quality and craftsmanship.
Adeleke Houses
It’s not surprising that Adedeji Adeleke, one of Nigeria’s richest individuals, owns many luxurious homes in Nigeria and abroad. Some of his most well-known properties include:
- Banana Island Mansion: Adeleke owns a sprawling waterfront property on the exclusive Banana Island in Lagos. The mansion boasts ocean views and every modern amenity.
- Lekki Phase 1 Estate: He has a large gated compound in Lagos’s high-end Lekki Phase 1 neighbourhood. The estate includes a main house, guest houses, a swimming pool, and manicured gardens.
- Victoria Island Penthouse: Adeleke owns a lavish penthouse apartment in one of Victoria Island’s most prestigious skyscrapers, providing panoramic city views.
- Ikoyi Mansion: This palatial home on an expansive plot in the affluent Ikoyi area exemplifies Adeleke’s luxury and wealth.
- Osun State Home: He maintains ties to his roots with a beautiful mansion in his hometown in Osun State.
- Atlanta Estate: For his 60th birthday, Adeleke gifted himself a luxurious estate in Atlanta, where his son Davido was born.
Beyond these homes, it is rumoured that Adeleke owns additional real estate worldwide, a testament to his status as one of Nigeria’s most successful entrepreneurs and billionaires. His impressive property portfolio reflects his immense fortune and deep pride in his heritage and family.
Adeleke’s Private Jet
Nigerian billionaire Adedeji Adeleke is known for his successful business ventures, philanthropic work, and being the father of famous Nigerian artist Davido. However, Adeleke’s luxurious private jet may have yet to be widely known.
It was reported in 2018 that Davido had acquired a new private jet, as photos of him onboard started circulating on social media. While Davido lets the public believe the plane is his, the owner is revealed to be his father, Adedeji Adeleke. The jet in question is a Bombardier Global Express 6000, one of the most high-end private jets available.
The Global Express 6000 costs a staggering $62 million, making it among the most expensive private aircraft in the world. Some key features of Adeleke’s private jet include a range of over 6,000 nautical miles, a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.90, and spacious luxury interiors that can seat up to 19 passengers. With three living areas, six living suites, and a full galley, it offers all the comforts of a luxury home in the sky.
Adedeji Adeleke has displayed his immense wealth and status as a billionaire by owning such an opulent private aircraft. While his son Davido benefits from using the jet, it is clear that such an expensive asset is genuinely a possession of Adeleke. The Bombardier Global Express 6000 allows Adeleke to travel in the utmost luxury and comfort between his business ventures around the world.
Adeleke’s Family
Adedeji married University lecturer Veronica Imade, who passed away in 2003. They had four children together – Adewale, Coco, Sharon and famous musician Davido.
Adedeji Adeleke’s greatest accomplishments may be his children and how they have followed in his business acumen and entrepreneurship footsteps. While Davido has become a music superstar, David’s siblings have also made names for themselves in various industries.
One of Adeleke’s daughters, Sharon Adeleke, founded Rona Wigs Studio, a leading Nigerian hair extensions and wigs brand. Through self-study by watching YouTube tutorials, Sharon has become a skilled wig maker and businesswoman, growing her company significantly.
His son Adewale Adeleke, born in 1988, co-founded the successful HKN record label, where he played an executive role in Davido’s breakthrough album “Omo Baba Olowo.” Adewale now serves as Executive Director at Pacific Holdings Limited, part of his father’s business conglomerate.
Adeleke’s daughter Ashley Coco Adeleke-Adaji also works as Executive Director at Pacific Holdings, where she oversees the human resources department.
Through their driven nature and guidance from their billionaire father, all of Adedeji Adeleke’s children have demonstrated an innate ability to succeed in their chosen fields. They stand as a testament to Adeleke’s wealth and ability to instil strong principles of hard work, entrepreneurship and business acumen in his family.
Conclusion
Adedeji Adeleke is a highly successful Nigerian businessman and billionaire who has built an impressive business empire and wealth through strategic investments, management and leadership over several decades. He is notable not only for his immense net worth, estimated at $1.7 billion but also for being the father of famous musician Davido and for instilling strong values of entrepreneurship in his children.
Through his conglomerate Pacific Holdings and other assets like Adeleke University, he continues to grow his fortune and status as one of the richest people in Africa. Overall, Adedeji Adeleke stands as an inspiration of rags to riches success through hard work and vision in building a multi-industry business powerhouse over many years.