Meet the Oldest Billionaire in Edo State

Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, is the oldest billionaire in Edo State and one of the best-known businessmen to come out of the state.

 

At 92 years old, Igbinedion has spent decades building businesses, supporting education, investing in his community and raising a family that has produced politicians and public figures.

From his early years in Okada, Edo State, to the establishment of businesses across different sectors, his journey has taken him from entrepreneurship to traditional leadership and philanthropy.

 

Read Also: Top Richest Men from Edo State and Their Net Worth

 

 

His 92nd birthday celebration in September 2026 once again brought his name into the spotlight, with family members, friends, political figures and associates celebrating his long life and achievements.

But who is Gabriel Igbinedion, how old is he, how did he make his money, and which of his children are involved in politics?

Here is what to know about the man known as the Esama of Benin.

Gabriel Igbinedion biography

Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion was born in 1934 in Okada, Edo State, where he spent his early years.

He later developed an interest in business and began building enterprises that would eventually make him one of the wealthiest businessmen in Edo State.

His business journey covered several areas, including aviation, hospitality, property, media and education.

His rise from Okada to the top of Nigeria’s business community became one of the defining stories of his career.

He was later given the traditional title of Esama of Benin Kingdom, a title that has remained part of his identity for decades.

How old is Gabriel Igbinedion?

Gabriel Igbinedion is 92 years old as of September 2026.

He celebrated his 92nd birthday in September, surrounded by members of his family, friends, associates and well-wishers.

His birthday also prompted fresh interest in his biography, business career, family and contribution to Edo State.

Born in 1934, Igbinedion has lived through Nigeria’s colonial period, independence, the civil war, successive military governments and the country’s return to democratic rule.

His life and business career therefore span more than seven decades.

How Gabriel Igbinedion made his money

Igbinedion built his wealth through business investments rather than relying on a single company or industry.

His interests have included aviation, hospitality, real estate, media and education.

One of the businesses most associated with his name is Okada Air, an airline that became a familiar name in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

He also invested in hotels, property and media.

His business activities later extended into education, where he established one of his most enduring institutions.

The scale and length of his business career have earned him the description of a billionaire and business mogul in reports about his life.

Igbinedion University: His biggest education legacy

For many people searching for information about Gabriel Igbinedion, his connection with Igbinedion University, Okada is one of the first things that comes up.

Igbinedion founded the university in 1999, making it the first private university in Nigeria.

The university was established in Okada, his home community in Edo State.

Its creation came at a time when private universities were still a new concept in Nigeria.

The institution has since produced graduates in medicine, law, engineering, business, social sciences and other fields.

Igbinedion serves as the university’s founder and Chancellor.

The university has also become an important part of the Igbinedion family name, particularly among Nigerians searching for the history of private universities in the country.

Gabriel Igbinedion and Okada

The relationship between Igbinedion and Okada goes beyond the university.

Okada is the community where he was born and where he built part of his legacy.

His investments and community projects have contributed to the development of the town and helped make Okada a familiar name outside Edo State.

The establishment of Igbinedion University also brought students, academics and businesses into the community.

For residents of Edo State, his story is therefore closely linked to the history and development of Okada.

Gabriel Igbinedion’s children

Another reason the Igbinedion name attracts attention is the family’s involvement in Nigerian public life.

Several of Gabriel Igbinedion’s children have pursued careers in politics, business and public service.

Among the best-known are Lucky Igbinedion, Charles Igbinedion and Omosede Igbinedion.

Their careers have helped keep the family in the political conversation in Edo State.

Lucky Igbinedion

Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion is one of Gabriel Igbinedion’s most famous children.

Before becoming governor, Lucky served as chairman of Oredo Local Government Area.

He later became Governor of Edo State in 1999 and served two terms, leaving office in 2007.

His eight years in the Edo Government House made him one of the most recognizable political figures from the Igbinedion family.

His father’s influence in Edo business and traditional circles also made the Igbinedion name a familiar one during his political career.

Omosede Igbinedion

Omosede Igbinedion followed another path into politics at the federal level.

She was elected to the House of Representatives, where she represented Ovia Federal Constituency.

Her election in 2015 made her one of the younger female politicians to enter the National Assembly at the time.

Omosede has remained connected to Edo politics and is among the politicians linked to the Igbinedion family ahead of the 2027 elections.

Her political career is one reason searches for Gabriel Igbinedion’s children in politics often lead to her name.

Charles Igbinedion

Charles Igbinedion has also held political and public positions in Edo State.

He served as a local government chairman and later became Commissioner for Education in Edo State.

His career added another link between the Igbinedion family and Edo State public administration.

Gabriel Igbinedion’s granddaughter in politics

The family’s political story has also moved into another generation.

Natasha Irobosa Osawaru, a granddaughter of Gabriel Igbinedion, is a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, representing Egor Constituency.

Her political career means the Igbinedion family has had representation at different levels of government across generations.

Gabriel Igbinedion’s family has therefore had connections to Edo politics at the local government, state and federal levels.

Gabriel Igbinedion’s 92nd birthday celebration

The Esama of Benin celebrated his 92nd birthday in September 2026.

The celebration attracted members of his family and people who have worked with or maintained relationships with him over the years.

The occasion also generated tributes about his business career, philanthropy, education investments and contribution to Edo State.

For the Igbinedion family, the birthday was another opportunity to celebrate the patriarch of the family.

At 92, his story covers a period of enormous change in Nigeria, from the final years of colonial rule to the country’s modern democratic era.

Gabriel Igbinedion’s traditional title

Gabriel Igbinedion is better known in Edo as the Esama of Benin.

The title is one of the most recognizable traditional titles associated with his name.

It has accompanied his public activities for many years and is now almost inseparable from his identity.

His role as Esama has also placed him at the intersection of business, traditional affairs, community activities and public life in Edo State.

Gabriel Igbinedion’s philanthropy

Beyond business, Igbinedion has supported causes connected to education, healthcare and community development.

His investments in education are perhaps the easiest to trace through Igbinedion University.

He has also supported community initiatives and charitable activities over the years.

These efforts have contributed to the public image of a businessman who invested part of his wealth in institutions and community projects.

Why Gabriel Igbinedion is important to Edo’s history

Gabriel Igbinedion’s story cannot be separated from Edo’s business and political history.

He built businesses when Nigeria’s private sector was developing, established a private university when private higher education was still in its early stages and raised children who later entered politics and public service.

His family has also produced a former Edo governor, a former federal lawmaker and a serving state legislator.

That gives the Igbinedion name a place in several chapters of Edo’s recent history.

At 92, Gabriel Igbinedion has lived long enough to see several generations of his family enter different professions.

His journey from Okada businessman to billionaire, university founder and Esama of Benin has made his biography one of the stories many people in Edo and across Nigeria continue to follow.