One of the most talked-about topics on social media is the late Nigerian billionaire Alhaji Mai Deribe, who left a fleet of expensive cars worth billions of dollars in his Gold House.
In the 1980s, oil and gas were the sources of Alhaji Mai Deribe’s wealth, making him the richest man in Nigeria. He has multimillion dollar ($100million) gold palace situated at Maiduguri city in Bornu State, that took 10 years to complete.
The sight of the abandoned, decaying fleet of luxury cars has reignited discussions about wealth, mortality, and legacy, with reports revealing that the late billionaire Alhaji Mai Deribe fathered 27 children and had numerous grandchildren.
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Alhaji Ahmed Mai Deribe died on March 13, 2002, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, at the age of 78. He lived in the gold mansion for about 12 years before he died.
As the clip of Alhaji Mai Deribe abandoned fleet of cars that worth billions of naira hit the internet, many said that real wealth actually lies in the legacy that we live behind.
Reacting an online user identifed as ajokefoods_ said; “I can’t be the only thinking how this cars will be so perfect movies/music videos or even shoots.”
Another person uttered; “To our politicians 👉🏽stop stealing and accumulating the common wealth of the people for your next of kins …they will never be able to sustain or multiply your stolen wealth . leave a good legacy .”
An IG user known as chummyiscul commented; “What about his children? They should have taken care of their dad’s properties, nah.”
Watch the video below;
Speaking about the house, the $100 million gold mansion in Maiduguri was once regarded as the most luxurious and opulently decorated residence in Africa, and among the top twenty most extravagant properties globally. Its stunning design and grandeur have drawn numerous VIPs and prominent figures from around the world.
The palace once hosted His Eminence, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, who spent two days there in 1986. Following his visit, he remarked that the people of Borno had preserved a deep-rooted tradition of architectural excellence, tracing connections with Spain back over a thousand years.
It also welcomed other global dignitaries, including Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, former U.S. President George W. Bush, a former Canadian Prime Minister, and several other high-profile guests.
Often likened to the Taj Mahal of India, this iconic residence stands as a symbol of elegance and prestige for the people of Borno, Nigeria, and Africa at large.
Construction began in the early 1980s on an expansive parcel of land. According to Alhaji Shettima Abubakar Mai Deribe, one of the late tycoon’s sons, the land is so vast that even he couldn’t determine its exact size.
The two-storey mansion comprises numerous rooms and apartments. Each section designated for his wives and mother includes four bedrooms and a toilet. Additional spaces include a kitchen, quarters for domestic staff, and visitor apartments.
“Honestly, I can’t tell you how many rooms or apartments are in the house,” Abubakar Deribe admitted. “Some parts appear to be large halls, but they’re actually divided spaces. You really have to walk through it yourself to appreciate the layout – apartments for our mothers, boys’ quarters, domestic staff lodgings, and visitor suites. There are just too many to count.”
He added: “There are car parking spaces in almost every corner of this house. There’s no specific parking space for us except that of our late father so everyone parks their vehicle wherever they wish. Because of the swathe of landscape, in the morning you will think it’s a car mart.”
According to reports, the furniture and household items in the palace were crafted by renowned Italian design firm Giovanni Monzio Compagnoni (GMC), known globally for furnishing the residences of the world’s elite. Their prestigious clientele includes the late King Fahd bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, former Gabonese President Omar Bongo, the late Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id of Oman, Sheikh Khalifa Al Nahyan of the UAE, and the Central Bank of Kuwait.
Abubakar Mai Deribe revealed to Daily Trust Saturday that the grand palace was constructed on the very site where the late Alhaji Ahmed Mai Deribe was born and raised, before relocating to Fezzan in Maiduguri.
The construction of this opulent residence not only immortalized the Mai Deribe name but also placed Maiduguri and Nigeria on the global map. Abubakar noted that the project, which spanned a full decade, progressed without interruption—except on weekends—underscoring the massive investment and ambition behind the palace’s creation.
