Meet Adebayo Ogunlesi: The Nigerian Billionaire Who Owns 3 Major Airports in the UK!
From humble beginnings in Sagamu, Ogun State, to owning not one—but three major UK airports, Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi has rewritten Nigerian success on a global stage. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
🎓 Stellar Education & Career Launch
Born December 20, 1953, son of Nigeria’s first professor of medicine, Ogunlesi studied at King’s College, Lagos, before earning a first-class PPE degree from Oxford.
At Harvard Law and Business Schools, he distinguished himself by serving on the Harvard Law Review, then clerking for Justice Thurgood Marshall at the US Supreme Court
His early legal and banking career paved the way for top roles at Credit Suisse First Boston, eventually launching Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in 2006 .
🛫 Airport Acquisitions That Made History
Under Ogunlesi’s guidance, GIP acquired:
London City Airport (2006)
London Gatwick Airport (2009) for £1.455 billion
Edinburgh Airport (2012)
This trio of UK airports earns him the nickname “the man who bought Gatwick” and cements his legacy as the first Nigerian to own multiple international airports .
🌍 Beyond Airports: A Global Powerhouse
Beyond aviation, GIP under Ogunlesi has diversified into energy, rail, and other major infrastructure projects — even expanding into Italy’s high-speed rail network . His estimated net worth today stands at around US$2.4 billion .
🎵 From Business Mogul to Cultural Icon
Even Burna Boy gives Ogunlesi props in his hit “Wonderful”:
“As I dey hustle like Adebayo Ogunlesi…”
A fitting shout-out—his story of rising through global hustle mirrors the success celebrated in modern Afrobeats.
✨ Why His Story Inspires
Trailblazer: First-Succeeding Nigerian to own multiple UK airports
Visionary Leader: Transformed struggling airports into thriving hubs
Global Connector: Bridges African talent with world-stage infrastructure
Cultural Symbol: A living example of “African kings in foreign castles,” immortalized in popular music