Adebayo Ogunlesi, a prominent Nigerian businessman, has made headlines as the owner of several major airports in Europe. His notable achievements in the aviation industry began in 2009 when his company acquired a majority stake (approximately 42%) in London’s Gatwick Airport for £1.51 billion (€1.74 billion). Gatwick is the second-largest airport in the United Kingdom, serving over 34 million passengers annually.
Adebayo Ogunlesi (photo source: google)
In addition to Gatwick, since 2012, Ogunlesi’s firm, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), has owned Edinburgh Airport. Edinburgh is Scotland’s largest airport and the sixth largest in the UK, with 12.4 million passengers recorded in 2016. Ogunlesi’s strategic investments have significantly influenced the aviation sector in the region.
Previously, Ogunlesi owned London City Airport, which he acquired in 2006. He sold it in 2016, realizing a profit of $2.5 billion. This sale marked a significant milestone in his career, underscoring his adeptness at making lucrative investments in the infrastructure sector.
Global Infrastructure Partners also has a substantial presence beyond airports. The company owns Australian Pacific National, one of Australia’s largest freight rail companies. Moreover, GIP is part of the consortium that owns the Port of Melbourne, Australia’s busiest port.
Adebayo Ogunlesi’s investments highlight his strategic vision and his ability to manage and grow infrastructure assets across the globe. His work continues to have a profound impact on the global transportation and logistics industries.
