Category Global News

RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen .O
15 July 2025

In a testament to global ambition and entrepreneurial brilliance, two Nigerian-born innovators, Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona, have secured their places on Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s richest immigrants. The annual list, featuring 125 immigrant billionaires from 41 countries, showcases the pivotal role of immigrants in shaping the U.S. economic landscape, particularly in sectors like technology, finance, and innovation.

It’s a seismic moment not just for Nigeria, but for the entire African continent. For the first time, two Nigerian visionaries have climbed into the billionaire ranks of the world’s most competitive economy — a feat born not of inheritance, but of tenacity, daring innovation, and pure willpower.

At 77th position, Ogunlesi is no stranger to global influence. A Yale- and Harvard-trained legal and financial mastermind, he chairs Global Infrastructure Partners, a firm that controls billions in airport, energy, and transport investments. With a personal fortune estimated at $2.4 billion, the business mogul from Sagamu has shaped mega-deals in US — all while keeping his roots firmly Nigerian.

Meanwhile, Tope Awotona, the tech disruptor behind the scheduling giant Calendly, lands at 106th position with a net worth of $1.4 billion. A one-man startup army who emptied his savings to build Calendly, Awotona’s journey from the streets of Lagos to the innovation labs of Atlanta is now the blueprint for immigrant excellence in global SaaS powerhouse used by millions.

Their rise is part of a larger phenomenon: immigrants now make up 14% of America’s billionaires — but command a staggering 18% of its total billionaire wealth, according to Forbes. And it’s not just about money. This list celebrates resilience, vision, and the global citizen who builds across borders.

At the summit remains South African-born Elon Musk, whose $393.1 billion empire spans Tesla, SpaceX, and AI. Yet beyond Musk’s shadow, the emergence of Ogunlesi and Awotona signals a new dawn for African entrepreneurial influence — one that’s no longer defined by extraction or aid, but by technology, finance, and boardroom leadership.

Other notable African-born figures include Egypt’s Haim Saban ($3.1 billion), Morocco’s Marc Lasry ($1.9 billion), and Bharat Desai from Kenya ($1.6 billion).

Forbes notes that 93 percent of the immigrant billionaires are self-made, a figure that speaks volumes about the grit and resilience driving this elite group. The rise from 92 immigrant billionaires in 2022 to 115 in 2025 signals a growing “immigrant mindset” fueled by innovation, adaptability and relentless pursuit of opportunity, qualities well embodied by Ogunleai and Awotona on the world stage.

This year’s rankings don’t just spotlight wealth — they spotlight visionaries who dared to dream across oceans and borders. And as Ogunlesi and Awotona rise, they not only carry the torch for Nigeria — they illuminate a path for the next generation of global changemakers.

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RYNI Media: By Omotayo Stephen .O
13 July 2025

A monumental figure in Nigeria’s modern history has taken his final bow. Muhammadu Buhari, former military head of state and two-term civilian president, passed away peacefully on Sunday in a medical facility in London at the age of 82, marking the quiet end of a man whose leadership stirred both admiration and debate.

The announcement came via his longtime aide and former presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, who stated, “The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus.”

Buhari, who once bestrode Nigeria’s political and military arenas with austere discipline and nationalist fervor, leaves behind a complex legacy that spanned nearly five decades of public service—marked by military command, political resilience, and historical milestones.

Born in 1942 in Daura, Katsina State, Buhari’s journey from a northern town to Nigeria’s seat of power mirrored the nation’s own turbulent post-independence trajectory. Revered by some as a no-nonsense patriot and reviled by others as an unbending autocrat, Buhari’s life and leadership left no Nigerian indifferent.

Rising to prominence as a Major General in the Nigerian Army, Buhari first held sway over the nation as a military Head of State from January 1984 to August 1985, following a coup that promised a crusade against indiscipline and corruption. His time as a military ruler was as decisive as it was controversial, earning him both respect and criticism in equal measure.

Nearly a decade later, he was tapped by the late General Sani Abacha in 1994 to head the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), where he supervised infrastructure and development projects that left a lasting imprint on the nation’s economic landscape.

But it was his tenacity in the democratic arena that defined his latter years. After three failed presidential bids, Buhari finally achieved victory in 2015, under the All Progressive Congress (APC), unseating incumbent Goodluck Jonathan—an unprecedented democratic transfer of power in Nigeria’s history. He was re-elected in 2019, completing his second term in 2023.

His presidency was marked by battles on multiple fronts— insurgency, economic downturns, anti-corruption efforts, and rising youth agitation. Through it all, Buhari maintained his trademark composure, winning both praise and criticism for his quiet, sometimes distant, style of leadership.

Decorated with the nation’s highest honours—Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), among others—he also bore military medals such as the Defence Service Medal and Forces Service Star, and was awarded the Congo Medal and the Global Seal of Integrity.

As condolences flood in from world leaders, African presidents, and ordinary citizens, the nation stands at a reflective crossroads. Whether seen as a disciplined reformer or a reluctant democrat, one truth remains unshakable: Muhammadu Buhari was a man who defined—and defied—his times.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.

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