Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, is a prominent Nigerian militant leader and spiritual figure within the Woyin Religion, an indigenous faith of the Ijaw people. He is best known for his leadership role in the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), where he championed the rights and environmental justice of the Niger Delta community.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Oweizidei Thomas Ekpemupolo |
| Date of Birth | 1971 |
| Place of Birth | Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Delta State |
| Partner | N/A |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Militant Leader, Religious Leader, Businessman |
| Net Worth | Estimated over $1 billion (as of 2025) |
Early Life and Education
Born in 1971 into a royal family in Okerenkoko, part of the Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, Nigeria, Tompolo began his education at Okepopo Primary School in Warri. He later attended college but left in 1993 to join the militant struggle in the Niger Delta region.
Activism and Militancy
Tompolo’s involvement in militancy started in the early 1990s as he opposed the exploitation of the Niger Delta by the Nigerian government and foreign oil companies.
In 1998, he became a member of the Ijaw Youth Council and soon rose to become a key commander within MEND. Under his leadership, MEND grew into a powerful militant group, commanding thousands and acquiring weapons to fight for the Niger Delta’s autonomy.
He played a significant role in bringing Mujahid Dokubo-Asari to Delta State, which contributed to MEND’s formation.
Amnesty
In 2009, Tompolo accepted the Nigerian government’s amnesty program initiated by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, which granted pardon to militants in exchange for disarmament and reintegration. This initiative aimed to restore peace and enable development in the Niger Delta.
Although he faced legal challenges in 2016, including an arrest warrant for alleged theft and money laundering, Tompolo resurfaced publicly in 2020 and was awarded a government contract in 2022 to oversee pipeline security in the region.
Personal Life
Apart from his militant background, Tompolo is recognized as a religious leader of the Woyin Religion, which promotes values of truth, justice, and fairness.
His nickname “Tompolo” is derived from his father’s name, Chief Thomas Osen Ekpemupolo. While he keeps his family life private, he is known as a wealthy businessman and a significant influencer in the Niger Delta community.
Tompolo Net Worth
Tompolo’s net worth is believed to be over $1 billion as of 2025, stemming from his various business enterprises and investments.
He is the owner of Global West Vessel Specialist Limited (GWSL), a company that won a multi-billion-dollar contract valued at more than $100 million to provide vessels for the Nigerian military. Alongside this, he owns multiple luxury properties, a private jet, and other valuable assets, underscoring his position as a billionaire entrepreneur.
