Bayo Ogunlesi Net Worth (Updated 2026).

Bayo Ogunlesi, a prominent figure in the global finance industry, began his career in the late 1980s after earning his MBA from Harvard Business School. He started at First Boston, now Credit Suisse, where he honed his skills in mergers and acquisitions, a sector that would become his specialty.

Ogunlesi’s reputation began to grow in the 1990s when he led several high-profile deals, including the acquisition of Coca-Cola’s bottling operations in North America by a group of investors. His strategic insights and negotiating prowess earned him the nickname “the dealmaker” among his peers.

Bayo Ogunlesi’s Net Worth in 2025

As of 2025, Bayo Ogunlesi’s net worth is estimated to be around $2.9 billion, according to Forbes and Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This significant figure reflects his successful career and ventures in the global investment and finance industry.

Bayo Ogunlesi’s Career

Bayo Ogunlesi is a prominent Nigerian-American investor and businessman. He serves as the Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity firm he co-founded in 2006. Prior to GIP, Ogunlesi held various senior positions at Credit Suisse, including Head of Emerging Markets. He began his career as a corporate lawyer at Cliffe, Dexter & Wood, and later worked at First Boston and Chase Manhattan Bank.

Other Ventures

Ogunlesi is also the founder of the Africa Finance Corporation, a development finance institution established to address Africa’s infrastructure deficit. He serves on several corporate boards, including those of Caterpillar Inc. and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. Additionally, he is a trustee of the Brookings Institution and a member of the International Advisory Board of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Assets

Ogunlesi’s assets include significant stakes in various global infrastructure projects, such as airports, seaports, and utilities, through GIP. He also has interests in real estate and financial services. His personal residence is a luxurious home in New York City, valued at around $15 million.

Annual Income

Ogunlesi’s annual income is primarily derived from his compensation as the Chairman and Managing Partner of GIP. In 2020, his total compensation was reported to be around $20 million, including his base salary and other incentives. However, his annual income can vary significantly based on the performance of GIP’s investments and funds.

Frequently Asked Questions about  Bayo Ogunlesi

Frequently Asked Questions: Bayo Ogunlesi Net Worth

1. What is Bayo Ogunlesi’s net worth?

Bayo Ogunlesi’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.1 billion.

2. How did Bayo Ogunlesi make his money?

Bayo Ogunlesi made his fortune through private equity investments and acquisitions. He is the founder and chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity fund that focuses on infrastructure investments.

3. What is Bayo Ogunlesi’s background?

Bayo Ogunlesi was born in Nigeria and studied at Oxford University and Harvard Business School. He began his career at Lehman Brothers and later worked at Credit Suisse First Boston before founding GIP in 2006.

4. What are some of the notable investments made by Bayo Ogunlesi?

Some of the notable investments made by Bayo Ogunlesi and GIP include the acquisition of London Gatwick Airport, the purchase of a stake in the Brazilian energy company CPFL, and the acquisition of a stake in the Brazilian natural gas pipeline company Transportadora Associada de Gás (TAG).

5. What is Bayo Ogunlesi’s role in the acquisition of London Gatwick Airport?

Bayo Ogunlesi was one of the lead investors in the consortium that acquired London Gatwick Airport in 2009. He served as the chairman of the airport until 2019.

6. What is Bayo Ogunlesi’s role in the acquisition of TAG?

Bayo Ogunlesi and GIP acquired a 90% stake in TAG, the largest natural gas pipeline company in Brazil, in 2013. GIP later sold its stake in the company in 2018.

7. What is Bayo Ogunlesi’s role in the acquisition of CPFL?

Bayo Ogunlesi and GIP acquired a 15% stake in CPFL, one of the largest electric utility companies in Brazil, in 2011. GIP later increased its stake in the company to 35% before selling it in 2017.

8. What is Bayo Ogunlesi’s role in the acquisition of the Heathrow Airport Holdings?

Bayo Ogunlesi was part of a consortium that bid to acquire Heathrow Airport Holdings, the operator of London Heathrow Airport, in 2019. However, the consortium’s bid was ultimately unsuccessful.

9. What is Bayo Ogunlesi’s role in the acquisition of the Brazilian natural gas pipeline company NTS?

Bayo Ogunlesi and GIP acquired a 49% stake in NTS, a Brazilian natural gas pipeline company, in 2015. GIP later sold its stake in the company in 2018.

10. What are some of the philanthropic activities of Bayo Ogunlesi?

Bayo Ogunlesi is known for his philanthropic activities, particularly in education. He has established scholarships for students from Africa and other developing countries to study at Oxford University. He also supports various other charitable causes, including healthcare and poverty alleviation initiatives in Africa.