Nigeria’s corporate world is once again putting huge executive pay packages in the spotlight, with a new ranking revealing the chief executives who reportedly earned the highest remuneration in 2026.
The list features some of the biggest names in Nigeria’s telecommunications, banking, energy and industrial sectors. Interestingly, only one woman made the top 10.
At the top of the ranking is Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, whose reported remuneration places him ahead of other highly paid corporate executives in the country.
Here are the 10 highest-paid CEOs in Nigeria in 2026:
1. Roger Brown — Seplat Energy
Roger Brown tops the ranking as the highest-paid CEO, with reported remuneration running into billions of naira.
2. Karl Toriola — MTN Nigeria
MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola takes the second position. He has remained one of the most prominent figures in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
3. Adegbite Falade — Aradel Holdings
Adegbite Falade, the CEO of Aradel Holdings, occupies the third spot, reflecting the strong earnings associated with leadership in Nigeria’s energy sector.
4. Other Leading CEOs
The remaining positions are occupied by executives from some of Nigeria’s major listed companies, highlighting the substantial compensation packages available at the highest levels of corporate leadership.
Only One Woman Makes the Top 10
One of the notable aspects of the ranking is the limited female representation.
Adaora Umeoji, the Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, is the only woman featured among Nigeria’s 10 highest-paid CEOs.
Her inclusion places her among some of the country’s most highly compensated corporate leaders and underscores her position in Nigeria’s banking industry.
What the Ranking Shows
The figures offer a glimpse into how much top executives can earn at some of Nigeria’s largest publicly listed companies. CEO remuneration can include more than basic salary, with components such as bonuses, benefits, incentives and other executive compensation.
The ranking also highlights the financial scale of Nigeria’s major energy, telecommunications and banking companies, where top executives are responsible for overseeing businesses worth billions of naira.
As corporate earnings and executive compensation continue to attract attention, these figures are likely to keep the conversation around CEO pay and corporate performance alive.
