…How they are shaping the economy and society
As we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Nigeria’s corporate sector, The Top10 Magazine is proud to present our second edition of the “Top 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Corporate Nigeria.” This special edition shines the spotlight on the most influential and dynamic couples who are shaping the country’s business landscape.
Through their combined expertise, innovative spirit, and unwavering dedication, these power couples are driving growth, inspiring others, and leaving an indelible mark on their respective industries. Their stories serve as a testament to the power of collaboration, hard work, and shared ambition.
This is the second time the Top10 magazine would be celebrating Nigeria’s couples who excel in entrepreneurship. Five years ago (issue no. 24, 2020) the magazine went in search of power couples who had attained great successes in their respective business endeavours; couples that were prompted by the desire to take actions;set out to change Nigeria’s business landscape; and who had run with great visions and produced exceptional results that impact society. The search unearthed so many couples excelling in so many industries that the magazine could not accommodate them within its traditional threshold of the top 10. The magazine, therefore, limited the choice of those featured to couples who were partners in building a common business or a set of business organizations. Even so, not all the couples that qualified on that score could breast the tape, hence the decision to revisit the subject in order to accommodate another set.
In this edition, as in the first outing, we feature the top 10 power couples who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience, and vision. From entrepreneurship to corporate leadership, philanthropy to innovation, these couples are making a lasting impact on Nigeria’s economy and society. The power couples consist of men at the commanding heights of business and industry in their respective spheres and their spouses who deployed solid, fundamental skills to build the biggest business enterprises around. They are men and their spouses whose exploits in the business space are increasingly valuable in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial milieu. They are couples who have a large sphere of positive impacts on the economic and social lives of Nigerians.
In the group are women who have built great businesses that are completely distinct from the businesses of their men. There are some who are onboard the businesses of their spouses at corporate governance level, joining their hands together to enlarge the operating capacity and stretch out group interests across many business frontiers. But whether couples building common enterprises or spouses engaged in entrepreneurial endeavours completely independent of each other, the common threads remain the chemistry of understanding, partnership, synergy, common vision among the couples necessary for the achievement of corporate goals, economic development and societal well-being.
Their journeys, challenges, and triumphs offer valuable insights and inspiration to professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to make a difference. We celebrate their achievements and honour their contributions to Nigeria’s growth and development.
Featured here are Walter Akpani and his wife, Winifred, corporate titans in Nigeria’s banking and oil & gas sectors, respectively, each of them famous and accomplished in their own right. While Walter bestrides the banking industry like a colossus, Winifred has distinguished herself on the frontlines of oil & gas business in Nigeria. Lt. Gen Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), a military, business, political and philanthropic colossus, has his amiable wife, Senator Daisy Danjuma, as a direct and integral part of the overwhelming success story of the Danjumas’ business empire.
Mr. Kennedy and Mrs. Ichechi Okonkwo rode on the back of challenges to build a multi-billion Naira real estate business. Ditto for Dr. Austin and Jayne Onwumere who rose to the pinnacle of Nigeria’s entrepreneurship as a classical model of how to start business small and grow big, and how to translate adversity into life-changing opportunities. Leo Stan and Chioma Ekeh are, unarguably, the poster couples of Nigeria’s technological development, just as Elder Eme and Barr. Ngozi Ekeoma, of Nepal Oil and Gas; Dr. Emeka and Dr. Adaora Offor of the Chrome Group; Dr. Gabriel and Godrey Ogbechie of Rainoil Group, are models of entrepreneurial accumen in the oil and gas industry. The story of Azubuike and Ekeoma Ezeibe who harnessed the similarities in their family, professional and career backgrounds to achieve entrepreneurial excellence is equally both exemplary and inspiring.
All the power couples featured in this edition have certainly demonstrated that successful marriage is not a hinderance to career development. It is our hope that the young generation will draw inspiration from them.
Walter and Winifred Akpani
Walter Akpani and his lovely wife, Winifred, are corporate titans in Nigeria’s banking and oil & gas sectors, respectively. Each of them is famous and accomplished in their own right. While Walter bestrides the banking industry like a colossus, with over three decades of experience to his name, Winifred has distinguished herself on the frontlines of the oil & gas business in Nigeria.
Walter Akpani, who holds a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, began his banking career in the Treasury department of ICON Stockbrokers. He later became a restructuring team member at Commercial Trust Bank, a pioneer staff at Standard Trust Bank Plc (now United Bank for Africa – UBA), and a pioneer staff at Platinum Bank Ltd. In the course of this career progression, he distinguished himself not only as a leading Treasurer in the Nigerian banking industry but also shaped and facilitated banking start-ups, playing a key role in their successful set-up, restructuring, and growth. His hands-on experience in bank start-ups and his acumen in financial management have positioned him as a key player in the development of Nigeria’s banking industry. He is the brain behind major advancements in banking operations, client relations, and financial inclusion, driving positive change and setting new standards for the sector.
When he disengaged from Platinum Bank Ltd as Vice President, Institutional Banking, he started United Mortgage Bank Limited, which has now metamorphosed into Providus Bank. His facilitation of the recent merger of Providus Bank with Unity Bank and the rapid expansion of the bank is a testament to Akpani’s strategic thinking and craftsmanship as a foremost change management agent in the Nigerian banking industry.
As the Managing Director and CEO of Providus Bank, Akpani stands out as one of the most accomplished bankers in Nigeria. He has deployed his strong interpersonal skills, industry depth, and vast network of contacts and associates in the most strategic sectors of the Nigerian economy to the service of the bank. He has also brought to bear on Providus Bank his commitment to innovation and passion for creating opportunities. These attributes are reflected in the innovations Providus Bank, under his watch, has brought to E-Business, Personal and Private Banking, Corporate and Commercial Banking, as well as Institutional Banking. They are also the reasons why the bank is growing in leaps and bounds.
Walter Akpani, who is actively involved in youth development in Nigeria, is a winner of The Sun Banker of the Year Award.
While Mr. Akpani displays his craftsmanship in the financial industry, his wife, Winifred, rules her own world as an oil and gas guru and Chief Executive of North-West Petroleum, a leading oil company which she founded over two decades ago. Described as a woman of diligence, excellence, and integrity, Winifred is a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria’s economy. Her entrepreneurial exploits readily qualify her as one of the leading players in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
A chartered accountant, Winifred holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science, and is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and the Institute of Directors. She began her career as a trainee accountant at Oni Lasebikan and Co. (now Ernst & Young) in 1987 and later joined Arthur Andersen & Co. (now KPMG Professional Services), where she qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1990. She left the firm as an Audit Senior in 1992 for Flame Petroleum & Gas Company Limited as a Financial Controller and was promoted to Executive Director in 1997. Mrs. Akpani founded Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited a year later with an initial capital of N200,000. Since then, there has been no looking back.
The company started by distributing diesel in 200-liter drums to homes, guest houses, banks, and corporations. Over time, Northwest Petroleum expanded its operations to include international oil trading and service transactions, as well as investments in the midstream and upstream sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The company now handles international oil trading and services deals worth millions of dollars. It owns and operates two ultra-modern mega Petroleum Products Storage Terminals with a combined capacity of 96.8 million litres and an ultra-modern berthing facility with international state-of-the-art fire-fighting and safety equipment, adjudged one of the best in Nigeria and sited in the Calabar Free Trade Zone, Cross River State, in addition to several unique 24- and 26-nozzle ultra-modern mega filling stations across the country. Now possessing vast experience in the importation, supply, distribution, and storage of petroleum products, Northwest Petroleum has become actively involved in the exportation of crude oil.
Mrs. Akpani has other business interests across the energy, oil, and gas sectors. She is a Director of Millennium Oil and Gas Company Limited, the operator of the Oza Marginal Field, and Northwest Energy Nigeria Limited, a company in the exploration and production sector. She equally has substantial interests in the banking industry and is also a Director of Fleet Travels and Tours Nigeria Limited, a first-class travel agency. Mrs. Winifred Akpani serves as a non-executive director at GDL, a leading diversified financial institution creating wealth, transforming society, and providing unique financial solutions to strengthen and expand the middle class in terms of savings, investment, financial access, infrastructure, housing, employment, and others.
Winifred Akpani is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors. She is also involved in humanitarian work and charitable donations. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI awarded her the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal or Cross of Honour, the highest award of the Catholic Church established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 for distinguished service to the church and humanity.
The Akpanis’ various corporate commitments and contributions to Nigeria’s economic development serve as an inspiration to the younger generation of couples with the message that a successful marriage is not a hindrance to career development. This has earned them a place among The Top10 Magazine‘s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria.
Lt. Gen. Theophilus and Daisy Danjuma
No Nigerian soldier ever has been more successful in business after military service than Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd). A jack of three careers—military, business, and politics—Danjuma was master of them all. And his amiable wife, Senator Daisy Ehinare Danjuma, has been a direct and integral part of the overwhelming success story of Danjuma’s businesses and politics.
That success story began with a risky decision TY Danjuma (as he is popularly known) took early in life: After enrolling at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology in Zaria (now Ahmadu Bello University) to study history on a Northern Nigeria scholarship, he quit the university at the end of 1960 to join the Nigerian Army. He was to follow this up later in life with his involvement in several high-risk operations in military and political events in Nigeria. His strong appetite for risk-taking may have been at the root of his outstanding successes in the army, business, and politics.
TY Danjuma was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant and platoon commander in Congo in 1963, when he joined a UN peacekeeping force in Sante, Katanga Province, in Congo. He was deeply and courageously involved in the military politics of his era, which enhanced his rapid promotions and ascension to command postings until he was appointed the Chief of Army Staff in 1976. He retired from the Nigerian Army in 1979.
He began his business career that same year when he founded Nigeria American Line (NAL), Nigeria’s pioneer indigenous shipping company. It traded between Lagos and Santos in Brazil, taking advantage of Nigeria’s bilateral trade agreement, which had opened the sea routes to economies in the South American markets. Next came COMET Shipping Agencies Nigeria Limited, which he established in 1984, primarily to act as an agent for NAL. They were later merged to become the NAL-COMET Group, which has grown to become one of the largest and most successful indigenous shipping agencies and terminal operators in Nigeria.
Danjuma diversified into the petroleum industry when he founded South Atlantic Petroleum Ltd (SAPETRO), an oil exploration and production company, which has since become one of the largest indigenous oil producers in Africa. He has since added telecommunications (NatComDevelopment & Investment Limited), energy, tourism, hospitality (KP Hydro Limited, a consortium), real estate, and pharmaceuticals to his portfolio of economic sectors, companies, and business lines under his belt. NatCom’s bouquet of services includes national bandwidth, international voice termination, international bandwidth, mobile and fixed communications services.
KP Hydro, the latest of Danjuma’s companies, recently won the concession for and took over the Kashimbila Dam, a Federal Government integrated hydro project initiated by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to prevent flooding caused by water releases from Cameroon. But the dam has evolved into a vital source of clean energy for Taraba State. In addition to power generation and flood control, the dam is expected to transform the region into a tourism hub with an airport and a five-star hotel.
From retirement, TY Danjuma was recalled to national service when President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Defence Minister in 1999. That appointment marked the beginning of his political career. Although he did not contest for an elective office, Danjuma nonetheless remained and played several roles in the corridors of power. These included serving as chairperson for the investigative committee on the Warri conflict and chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council under Acting President Goodluck Jonathan. Most significantly, TY Danjuma has been one of the biggest influences on the politics of Taraba State and is believed to be the invisible hand behind the election of most of the governors of the state since 1999.
While TY Danjuma, 88, focuses on his businesses and behind-the-scenes politics, his wife, Senator Daisy Danjuma, 73, is the face of open partisan politics in the Danjuma family. The Edo State-born law graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1977. She worked as a State Counsel in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice (DPP), a pioneer legal counsel to the Legal Aid Council, and NAL Merchant Bank. She was Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) from 1982 to 1992.
Danjuma’s political career began when her husband got relocated to Port Harcourt and became a minister of Abuja. In the 2003 general election, Danjuma was elected senator to represent Edo South Senatorial District on the platform of the Action Congress (AC) and served from 2003 to 2007. As a senator, she was appointed Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development, as well as a member of the Senate Committees on Health, Education, Finance, and Land Transport. Being a senator from Nigeria gave Danjuma the opportunity to be a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). She has also served as Chairman, Women and Child Rights Committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament. Danjuma contested for a second tenure in her Senate office in 2011 but was unsuccessful.
But Senator Daisy Danjuma’s life has not all been about politics. She is also deeply involved in the management of her family businesses and investments up to the boardroom level. She was the Chairman of South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (SAPETRO) from 1999 to 2003 and a member of the Board of Directors of May & Baker Nigeria Limited between July 1999 and October 2003 (when she was elected senator). She returned later in May 2019 and was elevated to the position of Chairman of the Board four months later, on September 27, replacing her husband who retired from the position that day. She occupies that seat to this day. She has also served or is still serving on the boards of several professional and charitable organizations across the country and beyond.
The marriage of the power couple is blessed with a child, and their efforts with a humongous fortune. In fact, TY Danjuma is a billionaire rated by Forbes to have a net worth of over $2 billion (about N3 trillion). But they do not keep all this fortune to themselves. The couple are among Nigeria’s biggest philanthropists. They own the TY Danjuma Foundation, which has partnered with over 50 NGOs throughout Nigeria to support various charitable causes including poverty eradication, women and children, education, healthcare, infrastructure, institutions, etc. It is impacting millions of lives all over the country.
In Danjuma’s impoverished home state of Taraba alone, US$500,000 has been given out as grants to NGOs working to alleviate the suffering of the residents. One of the many NGOs that is being supported by the foundation is CASVI, working in Takum, Wukari, Donga, and Ibi. CASVI’s main area of expertise is the provision of free eye care services, such as the treatment of river blindness.
The inclusion of Theophilus and Daisy Danjuma in The Top10 Magazine’s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria is in celebration of their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as inspiration to upcoming couples.
Kennedy and Ichechi Okonkwo
As a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy and Ichechi Okonkwo have many things in common, but one of them stands out: both see challenges as opportunities. And they have adopted this viewpoint as their success formula.”Setbacks and problems are opportunities in disguise…Every challenge has offered me a chance to refine my strategies, foster innovation, and ultimately, drive business forward,” Ichechi explained in an interview.
Similarly, rather than being discouraged by challenges, Kennedy sees them as developmental phases, using every single one to become a better person and strengthen his resilience to truly succeed. His experience as a teenager in secondary school illustrates the couple’s perspective. Following the death of his father, Kennedy’s indigent mother and her children, including Kennedy himself, were thrown out of their residential apartment and her shop. It took the kindheartedness of a pastor to rescue them from under the Ikeja overhead bridge where they took refuge, and that of Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, who sponsored Kennedy’s education. These experiences shaped Kennedy’s perspective to living, as he resolved to impact the situation of his family positively.
That resolve began to manifest when he took the bold decision to quit his well-paid job as the Strategy Advisor to the MD of his former company to build his own business.The decision paid off as Kennedy Okonkwo is now the MD/CEO of Nedcomoaks Limited, a property development company specializing in real estate development, provision of architectural and civil designs, project consultancy and management, with a significant proficiency using modern technology in construction. He is also the Chairman of Victoria Crest Homes, a housing property that provides affordable housing options to the middle class. He is also the founder of the Kennedy Okonkwo Programme for Tech Entrepreneurs.
Kennedy founded Nedcomoaks Limited with zero capital, and in just under a decade, the company has become a leading player in the Nigerian real estate industry, providing employment for thousands of people and generating annual revenues of over N15 billion. He has built an impressive portfolio of residential properties that have not only transformed the skyline of Nigeria but have also provided affordable housing solutions for Nigerians. He is globally known today as Africa’s biggest real estate mogul.
As a passionate advocate for the power of real estate to transform Nigeria’s socioeconomic landscape, Kennedy has dedicated his career to providing affordable housing solutions to Nigerians. He has recently extended that passion to cover the rest of Africa. Now, he seeks to unlock Africa’s multi-million-dollar real estate market through an initiative called “Invest in Africa” aimed at attracting diaspora investment, facilitating wealth creation, and promoting sustainable development in Africa’s booming property market. Under the initiative, Kennedy organized a series of real estate stakeholder fora tagged “Invest in Africa Summit 2025,” in several cities across the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada, between March and May this year. The events featured networking sessions, panel discussions, and presentations on foreign direct investment-friendly policies, with developers unveiling new projects. It hosted some of the most influential policymakers and business leaders who shared insights and strategies that could drive growth and prosperity.
“By bridging the gap between the Diaspora and investment opportunities back home, we are not just facilitating transactions; we are building legacies and reshaping the African investment narrative,” Kennedy explained.
Kennedy’s wife, Ichechi, who is the Group Deputy Managing Director, Nedcomoaks Group, was part of the Invest in Africa initiative. In fact, she is a very successful entrepreneur in her own right with experience and interests in diverse sectors such as banking, laundry/dry-cleaning, real estate and retail. Over the years, her remarkable contributions have been recognised with numerous awards.
Ichechi began her professional career in banking, working with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc for six years. She excelled in roles within the e-business and cards services group and later as an internal auditor in the systems and control group.
Her entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Laundry King in 2011, a leading laundry and dry-cleaning company headquartered in Lekki, Lagos. This venture earned her the “Most Enterprising Organisation of the Year” award by the Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award in 2017.
In real estate, Ichechi has made remarkable strides. As the CEO of Dream Estate Lekki Ltd, a subsidiary of the Nedcomoaks Group, she played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s market presence. Currently, as the CEO of Victoria Crest Homes, she leads the development of affordable luxury homes in Nigeria. Under her leadership, the company has received numerous distinguished awards.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemistry from Igbinedion University, Okada, and acquired further education through executive courses in entrepreneurship at the Metropolitan School of Business & Management, UK. Ichechi is an active member of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria.
Ichechi and her husband, Kennedy have been impacting society in numerous areas. For instance, their company, Nedcomoaks Group, is directly and indirectly responsible for the well-being of about 2000 employees. Other notable societal impact work they have spearheaded include awarding scholarships to those who can’t afford quality education and mentoring entrepreneurs on the best way to build their businesses and avoid pitfalls. Even the widows are not left out of their financial support. They have been involved in various road construction projects in Lagos, especially the Etiosa Local Government and other road construction projects currently going on in Kennedy’s hometown in Anambra state. Through Victoria Crest Homes, the couple are making lasting impact by creating sustainable communities. They pioneered the first fully solar-powered estates in Lagos, Nigeria, thereby reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainable living.
Kennedy and Ichechi were selected for inclusion in the Top10 Magazine’s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria is in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as inspiration to upcoming couples.
Dr. Augustine and Jayne Onwumere
The rise of Dr. Austin and Jayne Onwumere to the pinnacle of Nigeria’s entrepreneurship is a classical model of starting business small and growing big. It is also a story of how adversity and the will to survive can be translated into life-changing opportunities. For the couple, it all started in 2012 in Lagos when they were booted out of their residential apartment for inability to pay rent. After squatting with strangers in 13 different locations over two and a half years, their experience of homelessness compelled and inspired them to conjure what they believed to be a viable business concept. Armed with just N25,000 as startup capital, the couple set up their first office—a simple table and chair in the corner of a friend’s restaurant. While Dr. Onwumere distributed flyers around Lekki and Lagos Island, his wife handled calls from interested prospects.
That was how PWAN HOMES (PWAN for Property World Africa Network), the first real estate network marketing company in the world, was co-founded, with Dr. Austin Ozioma Onwumere becoming the Chairman and his wife, Dr. Jayne Obioma Onwumere, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of what is now the PWAN Group. In the course of just over a decade, with the enthusiastic leadership and dynamic practical display of unbridled passion for getting things done the right way, the company has spread its presence all over Nigeria and beyond with offices in the United States and several other countries in Africa.
PWAN HOMES Limited, the parent company, began to open other companies in partnership with Independent Consultants which today forms the PWAN Group. The Group consists of twelve member companies known as PWAN Edge, PWAN Plus, PWAN Premium, PWAN Heritage, PWAN Haven, PWAN Prime, PWAN Legend, PWAN Stars, PWAN Lekki, PWAN Royale, PWAN Assurance and PWAN Precious. Also in the Group is PHPAC, the company charged with the responsibility of raising and equipping ordinary people to achieve extraordinary feats in the real estate industry. Together, they have created direct jobs for over 150 young Nigerians, excluding the over 30,000 independent real estate professionals generally called Consultants working with PWAN.
The business model operated by PWAN, with its headquarters in Ajah, Lekki, Lagos, has an in-built mechanism for people empowerment. Under this system, every participant in a property transaction is guaranteed a seamless payout through a well-structured compensation plan. This ground-breaking approach eliminates conflicts over commissions, creates an atmosphere of collaboration, and provides a clear path for individuals to thrive in the industry.
This model, now widely imitated by competitors, has been the driving force behind a new class of real estate professionals—known as Independent Business Development Executives (IBDEs), now widely recognized as PWAN Consultants and Partners. Today, through the PWAN Business Owners (PBO) system, individuals are not just selling real estate but also securing long-term wealth for themselves and future generations.
Unlike conventional real estate business models, which focus solely on profit, PWAN was built on the principle of helping others succeed. Driven by this philosophy, the Onwumeres and their team developed a revolutionary platform that allows anyone—regardless of background, education, or experience—to achieve financial independence through real estate.
The PBO system resolves long-standing commission-sharing issues by organizing independent property agents within a structured business framework. This system allows agents to retain their independence while benefiting from PWAN’s resources, training and mentorship. Unlike the traditional real estate model, which often left marketers struggling to earn commissions, PBOs now enjoy a seamless and transparent earnings process, ensuring they get paid without hassle.
One of the hallmarks of the PBO system is its commitment to continuous education and skill-building. Every week, PWAN organizes free seminars and training sessions across its centers nationwide, equipping PBOs with the latest property sales strategies, negotiation techniques, and digital marketing skills. These sessions, held three times a week, empower thousands of individuals to maximize their potential in real estate—without the burden of costly training fees.
Dr. Augustine Onwumere, indigene of Imo state and a Biochemistry graduate of the University of Lagos, believes that Nigeria can become better if entrepreneurship remains the pursuit of every individual. This belief has led him to reach out to millions of Nigerians through a live Empowerment programme on 93.7 Inspiration F.M Radio station known as “Mr. Empowerment”. He runs this programme weekly on air where he talks about empowerment, and no doubt, inspires a lot of Nigerian youths to become real estate consultants which is the first step towards making their home ownership dream a reality.
Beyond the in-built empowerment programmes of their business and entrepreneurial education, Dr. Augustine and Jayne Onwumere are also deeply into personal philanthropy and people empowerment. In 2017, being a staunch advocate for women empowerment, “Mama Africa” as Jayne is fondly called, initiated the “Empowerment for all Women” programme, providing financial support to 50 women to start or enhance their businesses. Her empowerment of women has been strengthened through partnerships with sponsors who are equally dogged and determined to liberate the female gender from hardship to having a decent life. She has since continued to expand this programme, offering monthly pay of N100,000 each to a new set of twelve women each year since 2020.
Her philanthropic endeavors across Nigeria is unparalleled and extend beyond economic empowerment. This was evidenced in September 2022, through her contribution to renovating and equipping two unmaintained primary schools in Nsukwa, Aniocha South LGA of Delta State Nigeria. Believing in the transformative power of education, provision for furniture, new uniforms and books were not left out in her agenda as Dr Jayne remains dedicated to securing a brighter future for children nationwide.
Together with her husband, she pays school fees for so many children, pays house rent for many and keeps a completely open-door policy that has made many refer to her as “Mummy; Mama Africa; Global Mummy;” etc. All these eventually birthed the launch of the Jayne Onwumere Foundation in March 2014, an organization that aims at providing aid, resources, and advocacy to those in need, advancing education, and contributing to the overall well-being of the society.
In recognition of their outstanding contributions, the couple have been accorded numerous recognitions by different organizations. Dr. Jayne Onwumere was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the European-American University, Commonwealth of Dominica. She was also honoured as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Women” by the Lagos State Government for her innovative strategies and impactful empowerment programmes in real estate network marketing, and the prestigious Investor of the Year 2023 award from the SUN Newspaper in Nigeria.
Her husband has also received personal and honorary awards from different institutions and led the Group to receive awards such as African Quality Achievement Award, Global Quality Excellence Award, African Quality Achievement Award, Global Quality Excellence Award, etc.
The choice of Dr. Augustine and Jayne Onwumere for the Top10 Magazine’s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria is in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as inspiration to upcoming couples.
Elder Eme and Barr. Ngozi Ekeoma
It is a well-established fact in Nigeria that early marriage is one of the greatest killers of women’s aspirations and potentials. But the marriage of Elder Eme and Barrister Ngozi Ekoma has defied not only that norm but also proved that with mutual understanding and respect, nothing can stand in the way of a blissful and prosperous marital union.
When Ngozi, after her secondary school and, as a teenager, got married to Eme Ekeoma, it was thought that would mark the end of her educational pursuit. That thinking was given fillip by the fact that Ngozi’s husband was already an established and wealthy businessman and she was expected to sit at home, relax and enjoy his wealth. But the comfort which marriage afforded the young wife did not whittle down her strong desire for higher education. She decided, with her husband’s consent, to write the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, got admitted to read Law at the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar after graduation from the Law School. That decision marked the beginning of her journey toward becoming not just a wife or mother, but but also a distinguished entrepreneur and an empowered woman in her own right.
Today, Ngozi, 53, is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Oil & Gas Services Limited, while her husband, Elder Eme, 64, is the Group Chairman. Ngozi is also a director of Southglobe Limited – a financial outfit in Lagos, as well as a director of Genesis Electricity Limited, an Independent Power Project Company; Quest Shipping Ltd, First Fenders Ltd, Sorties Logistics, Emline Nigeria Ltd and Legend Express Alliance Resources Ltd.
Ngozi’s success story is a living testament to the power of education, hard work, and determination, attributable to both the opportunities she created for herself and the support she found within her marriage. She says: “There is the place of destiny, and the place of education and hard work.”
For the couple, both indigenes of Abia State, the journey into entrepreneurial leadership began when Eme Ekeoma moved to Lagos with his uncle while he was 19 years old. At that time, survival was such a herculean task but he eventually got a job with the Central Bank of Nigeria. Sadly, however, the young man lost his job not too long after. That setback proved to be the turning point and watershed in his life as he turned it into an opportunity. He became an entrepreneur; founded Nepal Oil and Gas Services Limited, with Ngozi joining him in the business after their marriage. Nepal Oil and Gas Services which today owns over 50 filling stations in Nigeria focuses on the distribution and marketing of petroleum products, including diesel, gasoline, and kerosene. It is a significant player in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, involved in various aspects and efficient management of the oil and gas value chain. Nepal Oil & Gas Services Limited has gained recognition for its contributions to the industry, innovative approaches, adherence to industry standards, and commitment to customer satisfaction. The Ekeomas’ strategic vision and leadership have been pivotal in driving the company’s growth and success. Both are regarded as influential figures in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, often participating in industry forums and discussions. Their efforts in expanding the company’s operations and exploring new opportunities have positioned Nepal Oil & Gas Services Limited as a key player in the market. They are also involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting business development and growth within the oil and gas sector. Their work extends to mentoring and supporting upcoming entrepreneurs and professionals in the industry, further cementing their influence and contributions to the sector.
Elder Eme and Barrister Ngozi are like five and six, having been married for over three decades and are still waxing stronger in the cupid world. They are never apart in their transparent love for each other. The business tycoon, a reserved and rare billionaire of great repute, and his beautiful wife, Ngozi, whose philanthropic prigrammes cut across divides, go to events with splendour and share that marital bliss without any encumbrances and do not hesitate to display it at any given opportunity both in and outside Nigeria. This situation leaves many to marvel at the kind of chemistry that exists between them.
Apart from his wife, the other things Elder Eme, a Christian of the Presbyterian faith, shares his love and passion for are preaching and spreading of the gospel. He proudly wears his faith as a man passionate about God’s kingdom, so much so his business Associates refer to him as ‘Elder.’ He founded the Believers Fellowship in 2016, a non-denominational fellowship (similar to Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship) that meets every forthnight at the Golden Gate Hotels, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, to prepare humanity for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Elder Eme’s seething inner vision has seen him give hope to patients who are unable to pay their hospital bills and over 1000 inmates who have regained their freedom. Indeed, the couple are neck-deep in the pursuit of philanthropic causes – empowering the poor and less privileged. They give back generously to society – individuals, groups and communities. They have implemented (and are still implementing) many Corporate Social Responsibility activities that have earned a name for them and their company. They are a major force in the battle against youth unemployment and restiveness in Nigeria, especially in their company’s areas of operation by taking many of the unemployed youth off the streets.
Some of the philanthropic activities initiated by their company are: the Pa Anyaso Skill Acquisition Centre in Igbere, Abia State; the provision of pipe-borne water at Igbimidaka, Oghareki, Delta State; the Free Health Outreach, 2014 in Igbere, Abia State; the SOS outreach, at Sought-After Women & Children Foundation Orphanage in Lekki Lagos, the Nepal Scholarship Scheme for undergraduates; and the “Operation clothe the widows” in different parts of the country. In addition, their company has built and furnished a block of classrooms for the Oghara Community in Delta State at the site of the police college which they have built. They also provided food, shelter and amenities to flood victims in Bayelsa in 2013 and also in Benue in 2017. Nepal Oil and Gas Services Ltd also organizes medical outreaches in Abia State and the donation of wheelchairs and crutches to patients at the Orthopedic, maternity and children’s wards in hospitals in Abia.
Reflecting on the over three decades of their marriage, Ngozi says it has not been without its challenges. Yet, with maturity and wisdom, she has come to understand the profound beauty of partnership. “There will always be problems and responsibilities, but it depends on whether you see it is a problem or an opportunity.” This outlook has been instrumental in the ability to navigate the inevitable conflicts that arise in any relationship. The key, for Ngozi, is to focus on the strengths of one’s partner rather than their flaws. “The focus should always be on what my partner is good at, not what he is not good at.” This mindset has helped her sustain a marriage that has endured the trials of time and circumstance.
In her view, the authenticity of both partners is essential for a marriage to thrive. “Both need to be authentic,” she asserts, noting that cultural expectations often place the woman in the role of homemaker and nurturer. But authenticity goes beyond merely fulfilling traditional roles; it requires both partners to remain true to themselves, even as they navigate the complexities of life together. “If you learn your partner and understand your partner, you’ll be able to know what the boundaries are.” This wisdom reflects her deep understanding of the importance of empathy, communication, and respect in any partnership.
One of the most profound insights Ngozi offers is the respect that each partner must give to the other in order for a marriage to succeed. “Respect is exactly what I define it to be, not your definition,” she says with conviction.
Elder Eme and Barrister Ngozi Ekeoma were selected for the Top10 Magazine’s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as inspiration to upcoming couples.
Femi and Nana Otedola
So much public and media attention has been focused on Femi Otedola, one of Nigeria’s wealthiest and most famous businessmen, that his larger-than-life image has almost completely eclipsed that of his wife. While many know very little about the wife of the billionaire, still fewer have an idea of what she does for a living. The reality, however, is that Nana, Otedola’s wife, has built a distinct and towering profile, not just as the wife of a Forbes-rated business tycoon, but also as a highly successful entrepreneur in her own right, believed to have accumulated wealth and assets at levels commonly associated with the stinkingly rich.
The major difference between Nana and Femi is that, while the latter attracts and apparently relishes public visibility, the former prefers to keep away from the public eye, only occasionally appearing in media discussions and social functions. Nana’s reclusive nature speaks to her reserved personality, which contrasts with the attention her family typically attracts. Her low public visibility means that details surrounding her early life, including her birth year and place, have largely remained private. Believed to be of mixed Ghanaian and Nigerian parentage, Nana Otedola is reported have identified herself as a Nigerian who was born in London, in August 1966.
She is better known by the public for her beauty, elegance, sophistication, and her role as a supportive partner to her husband, Femi Otedola. Nana is also recognized as an astute businesswoman in her own right. She started her business in 2005 in the United Kingdom, after working there for 13 years with Fineshade Energy Limited. She is the Managing Director of Garment Care, a laundry service company she founded, which provides professional cleaning services in Lagos and has become a notable player in its field. Her business acumen has contributed to the success and growth of Garment Care over the years, showcasing her entrepreneurial capabilities beyond the shadow of her husband’s sprawling empire. Although her specific roles are not known to the public, Nana is said to be very supportive of her husband in running his companies resulting in the huge success they have recorded and the stupendous wealth he has accumulated.
Mr. Otedola was born in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, southwest Nigeria, into the family of the late Sir Michael Otedola, Governor of Lagos State from 1992 to 1993. His first foray into big time business, through the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, began in 2003 with Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, a petroleum products marketing and distribution company. The following year, he invested N15 billion in downstream infrastructure development and acquired storage depots at Ibafon, Apapa as well as four cargo vessels, amounting to a combined total storage capacity of 147,000 metric tons. The same year he acquired a fleet of 100 DAF fuel-tanker trucks for N1.4 billion.
In 2005, Zenon controlled a major share of the Nigerian diesel market, supplying fuel to most of the major manufacturers in the country including Dangote Group, Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Nigerian Breweries, MTN, Unilever, Nestle and Guinness.
Thereafter, he initiated the purchase of majority shareholding in the then African Petroleum Plc in May 2007 and became the Chairman of the Board on 25 May 2007. He transformed African Petroleum Plc into Forte Oil Plc (FO Plc) and made it to grow in leaps and bounds to become a model of the possibilities inherent in Nigeria. This earned him numerous accolades in recognition of the successful business turnaround, diversified portfolio, prompt financial reporting, strong corporate governance, and investment of choice within the oil and gas industry.
He divested from the company in 2018 by selling his shareholdings to the Ignite Consortium led by Prudent Energy Services Limited and handed over in June 2019 after completing the transaction. The divestment from Forte Oil Plc and his acquisition of FO Plc shares in Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited, the SPV for the acquisition of controlling shares in Geregu Power Plc, provided him the ample opportunity to focus on the Power Sector as the Company’s Executive Chairman.
Mr. Otedola’s doggedness culminated in the acquisition of a majority stake in the 414MW Geregu Power Plant by Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited in August 2013 (a plant which has since been overhauled and improved to a 435MW capacity) contributing approximately 9% of the generating capacity available to the National Grid. Similarly, Otedola became the single largest shareholder (5.07%) of First bank PLC in October 2021 and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of FBN Holding Co. (later renamed First Holding Co Plc) on 31st January 2024 following his strategic acquisition of Nigeria’s biggest financial institution.
He has investments spread across various other interests including storage, shipping, and insurance brokerage in addition to port agency and petroleum retail outlets and he has built a formidable, value-driven presence along the downstream value chain.
Femi has a rich experience in corporate boards having held several board memberships, including President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping. He also served as the Chairman of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. He was appointed a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) in January 2004 and in December of the same year, he became a member of the committee saddled with the task of fostering business relationships between the Nigerian and South African Private sectors.
He was also a member of the National Economic Management Team chaired by the Former President Goodluck Jonathan from September 2011 to May 2015 and the Honorary International Investors Council chaired by Baroness Lynda Chalker. He is currently a member of the revered National Peace Committee.
Femi has received several awards and recognitions for his immense contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy including the conferment of the prestigious National Honour – “Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)” by former President Goodluck Jonathan in May 2010.
While Mr. Otedola’s net worth is widely known and estimated to be around $1.8 billion (as of 2024), Nana’s personal wealth is not separately quantified. However, as Femi’s wife and partner in many ventures, she enjoys significant financial privileges. Some estimates suggest her worth could be in the millions, given her successful Garment Care business and her ties to the Otedola fortune. The couple’s combined assets, properties, and investments would undoubtedly place her among the wealthiest women in Nigeria.
Commensurate with the size of their family wealth, the couple are big players in human empowerment, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility, although most reports credit only the husband, for reasons aforementioned. For instance, Otedola has made several donations to the Michael Otedola University Scholarship Scheme, which was established in 1985 to give underprivileged students in Lagos State access to higher education. In 2005 Zenon donated N200 million to the scheme’s fund. Since its inception the scheme has benefited more than 1,000 students.
In 2005, Otedola made a N300 million personal donation to the completion of the National Ecumenical Centre—Nigeria’s primary place of Christian worship—in Abuja. In 2007 he was among a group of donors who gave N200 million to the State Security Trust Fund in a drive to reduce crime in Lagos State. Later that year he donated N100 million to the Otedola College of Primary Education in Noforija, Epe. In 2008 he donated N80 million to the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Port Harcourt. Femi Otedola fulfilled his pledge of 25,000 dollars to the Super Eagles in the match against Algeria in the 2019 AFCON.
Femi is a Vice President of “Save the Children,” a UK-based charity group, and his invitation to the group bears testament to his impact through the generous donation of ₦5billion to Save the Children’s course in Nigeria.
The couple have one son and three daughters. One of their daughters, Florence Otedola is known as DJ Cuppy while another daughter, Temi Otedola, is a famous style blogger and designer. The Otedola family members are very friendly; they always celebrate holidays together, and like to share photos on social media. Nana Otedola likes to travel together with her children to such countries as France and Italy.
Femi and Nana Otedola have been included in the Top10 Magazine’s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as inspiration to upcoming couples.
Sir Dr. Emeka and Dr. Adaora Offor
Sir Dr. Emeka Offor was the best known, perhaps, one of the first indigenous, millionaire entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry in the 1990s. What particularly stood him out then was the status he attained as a millionaire and philanthropist just in his 20s. Several years down the line, having struck a perfect marital and business partnership with his wife, Vivian Adaora, Dr. Offor still maintains a firm foothold on the frontlines of Nigeria’s entrepreneurship, oil and gas business and philanthropy. The platforms used by the couple for these hattrick of activities are the Chrome Group of companies and Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) of which the husband is the Group Executive Chairman while the wife is the Vice-President, respectively.
Sir Dr. Offor who hails from Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, began his journey into business at the tender age of 21 as an apprentice to his uncle. He incorporated the Chrome Group in 1994 as an engineering outfit handling projects such as refinery maintenance. Thirty-one years on, the company has become a leading multi-billion-dollar conglomerate with diverse interests in oil and gas, finance/investments, telecommunications, insurance, maritime, destination inspection, real estate and the power sectors, operating in Nigeria and other West African countries, employing over 1000 staff.
The Group has 20 active member-companies. Some of the major ones include: Kaztec Engineering Ltd, a leader in the fabrication of drilling and production platforms in the oil and gas industry; Enugu Electricity Distribution Company distributes electricity to five states in the South East geo political Zone; Global Scansystems Technology Limited (GSTL) which is a wholly indigenous company that provides its global clientele with petroleum and allied products inspection services; Inland Containers Nigeria Ltd, a leading integrated shipping and logistics company in West Africa; Nimek Investment Ltd, an investment holding company with interests in real estate, banking, insurance, energy and aviation; Blaze FM, an independent commercial radio station; 99.9 KISS FM, an adult contemporary radio station that specializes in news, current affairs and community events; Starcrest Nigeria, a rising star in the natural resources sector in West Africa; Kingsbury Trading Ltd, in the business of import, export and distribution of crude oil, gas and other petro-chemical products; Interstate Electrics Ltd, a consortium incorporated as a vehicle for acquiring and operating Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria; I Surveillance Technologies Ltd, an environmentally-friendly, professional and committed international company which is strategically structured and branded to, amongst others, carry on the general business of:- (a) surveillances, telecommunications and information technology (ICT). (b) manufacturing, producing, installing and maintaining surveillance equipment, security apparatus, machinery plant and all types of telecommunication equipment.
Sir Dr. Offor’s wife, Dr. Vivian Adaora, a lawyer, is a business leader in her own right, with extensive managerial experience in the corporate world. She served as the Human Resource Manager for Chrome Oil Services, an oil and gas service member-company of the Chrome Group. As a legal practitioner, she established Maine Solicitors, a corporate and international trade law firm with practice areas covering corporate and commercial legal services, dispute resolution, energy and natural resources, real estate, tax advisory, and public sector governance. In business, she has established Ballpark Investments Ltd., a general investments and real estate company that has executed contracts in real estate, power, travel and hospitality, mining, and construction industries. The company has two subsidiaries: The Travel Place Limited, a travel and hospitality establishment, and Eden Residences by Ballpark Ltd. She continues to direct these entities as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
In 2003, the Offors established the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), a non-profit charity, with Dr. Adaora as the Vice-President and Chief Executive Officer, to channel part of their wealth towards supporting worthy societal causes and the needy. Its vision is to reduce poverty and create life-improving economic opportunities for individuals, organizations and communities through education, health care services and empowerment.
The Foundation, under Dr. Adaora’s leadership, has implemented a number of projects like giving scholarships to less privileged students both in secondary and tertiary institutions, building and furnishing classroom blocks. In collaboration with Books for Africa (BFA) it has donated over 10 million USD worth of books, computers and other educational materials to schools in Nigeria and about 19 other African countries. The Foundation established health centres, providing free medical consultations, treatment and drugs and established a €100,000 Glaucoma research grant at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mainz, Germany; it also established a Nigerian fellowship of Cataract Surgery and Glaucoma Management at the same university. Other notable achievements include: the establishment of widows’ cooperative to help widows become and remain independent, offering automatic employment in the company and a brand-new car to graduates of tertiary institutions who make first class honours, drilling boreholes that supply safe drinking water, provision and installation of transformers and road construction. The SEOF partners with The Carter Center to wage war against River Blindness in seven states in Nigeria, especially in the South-east and south-south where the disease is prevalent.
The Sir Dr. Emeka Offor Foundation commits resources and time towards human capacity development, provision of access to skills acquisition and transfer of knowledge to the grassroots. Such opportunities have enabled the establishment of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME’s) and Cooperative Societies for the less privileged. These empowerment programmes focus on youth, widows and the differently-abled. One of them include the SEOF Blue Ribbon Campaign, dedicated to supporting neurodiversity in children (children with special needs) through awareness, advocacy, and providing funding for programmes and support materials. Another initiative which Dr. Adaora is passionate about is the Touch a Life Initiative, which aims to make a difference by constructing homes for indigent widows and challenging unjust laws and traditions that deprive them of their rights.
The couple have received several recognitions from reputable national and international organizations for their generous contributions to societal development. For instance, the couple are among Nigeria’s highest donors to Rotary International. For this, Sir Dr. Offor was elevated to the status of the Foundation Circle of the Arch C. Klumph Society (AKS) of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. This is as a result of his singular donation of over $1 million to Rotary Foundation spread across the four cardinal endeavours of Rotary, viz; peace and conflict management, maternal and child heatth, basic education and literacy promotion and polio eradication. He is currently Rotary International Polio Ambassador to Nigeria, having given over USD $3.1million towards the eradication of the polio scourge. By the above donations Sir Dr. Offor remains Rotary`s highest donor in the African continent. The Romanian Consulate in Nigeria recently honoured him for his invaluable contribution towards the development and enhancement of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Romania.
On her part, Dr. Adaora, a member of the Rotary Club of Wuse, Abuja, is a Paul Harris Fellow, an individual recognized for contributing, or having contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation, to show appreciation for significant donations supporting Rotary’s various programmes.
In May 2024, she was honoured with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration (Honoris Causa) by Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State. In the same month, she received another honorary Doctorate Degree of Doctor of Social Advocacy from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. She holds several certifications from the Harvard Business School and the KLC School of Design.
Dr. Mrs. Adaora Vivian Offor is a devout and serving member of the Anglican Communion and a minister with the Rebirth Ministries, a women’s evangelical ministry focused on prayer and outreach activities. She serves as the Liaison Officer for charitable works and the Head of the Northern Region of the Ministry.
Sir Dr. Emeka and Dr. Adaora Offor have been selected as one of the Top10 Magazine’s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as inspiration to upcoming couples.
Leo Stan and Chioma Ekeh
Leonard and Chioma Ekeh are, unarguably, the most technology-savvy couple in Nigeria. They eat, sleep, think and dream technology. They are not just technology entrepreneurs, they pioneered the development, usage and growth of indigenous computer technology in Nigeria. They are also in the vanguard of the empowerment of Nigerian youths, especially the women, through information and communication technology (ICT) education and skills acquisition initiatives.
The 69 year-old Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh, better known as Leo Stan, and his wife, Chioma, 61, are the owners of Zinox Group, Nigeria’s pioneer, ground breaking and foremost computer technology group. The first company in the Group, Task Systems Limited, was one of the few which pioneered Desktop Publishing and Computer Graphics in Nigeria. It computerized 95% of the print media, publishing houses and advertising agencies in Nigeria. Task Systems Limited has consistently won outstanding industry awards as Best Partner Award for Compaq, HP, Microsoft, American Power Solution, APC, etc. for 20 years. The Group pioneered IT solutions in West Africa through ITEC Solutions Limited which has delivered the largest IT solutions ever, from an indigenous firm, to the Nigerian corporate market.
The Group also pioneered IT distribution in West Africa through Technology Distributions Limited, (TD Africa), which has emerged the leading ICT distribution company in West Africa. TD Africa has consistently won for ten years the highest industry awards and recognitions for market penetration, revenue, and preferred partner status to become the most decorated ICT distributor in West Africa.
The biggest milestone, perhaps, came in 2001 when Leo Stan scored another first by setting up Zinox Technologies Limited to manufacture Zinox Computers, Nigeria’s first internationally certified branded computers. The Zinox Computer has some innovative features, which include – the Naira sign, and a power supply feature designed to contain the frequent power outages characteristic of electric power in Nigeria. He ensured that at launch Zinox Computers already had the WHQL certification, the first in sub-Saharan Africa, consolidated five years later with the attainment of the NIS ISO 2000: 9001 QMS Certification. In October 2013, the company announced the production of its computer tablet line named Zipad.
As a child, Leo Stan who was born to a middleclass family in UbomiriMbaitoli, Imo State, dreamed of owning the biggest transport company in Nigeria. But his admission to Punjab University, India, where he bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, changed all that. Studying in India, he recalls, was “a great turning point in my life because I found the economy of India a realistic economy.” It was during his student days in India that Ekeh met Chioma, a mathematics student also at Punjab University, who was to become his wife. From India, both of them relocated to the United Kingdom for further studies at different institutions.
Ekeh returned to Nigeria to start business after earning a Masters degree in Risk Management from Nottingham University, UK. Chioma, on her part, joined the exalted league of Chartered Accountants in UK, having bagged an MBA at the reputable Heriot Watts University. In 1987, she joined Sterling Deveraux as an Investment Analyst, engaging in research and analyzing assets, such as stocks, bonds, currencies and commodities. Her acumen and exceptional skills were growing in demand and before long, she left Sterling Deveraux for the London Borough of Lewisham as an accountant in 1988. Between then and 1991, Chioma, by dint of hard work, rose swiftly through the ranks of Senior Auditor, and then to Financial Auditor. In spite of the bright prospects of her rising to the topmost position at the London Borough of Lewisham or taking up other elevated roles at other organizations Chioma chose to return to Nigeria. Apparently, she was compelled by the combined love of motherland and the call of her husband – Leo Stan Ekeh – to come and build a technology legacy for Nigeria and Africa.
Back in Nigeria, Chioma Ekeh joined her husband’s company, Task Systems Ltd., where she was assigned the position of Financial Controller. She spent six achievement-filled years before taking charge as the Chief Executive Officer of Technology Distributions Limited (TD Africa), another company founded by her husband, where she has been driving the vision of technology distribution in Nigeria and West Africa. Founded in 1999, TD Africa is Africa’s leading distributor of technology and lifestyle products, boasting an unmatched and growing network of partnership with global brands like HP, Microsoft, Apple, Starlink, IBM, Dell Technologies, Ring (by Amazon), Cisco, Lenovo, APC by Schneider Electric, Samsung, Bosch, Phillips, Logitech, Vivo, among several others. Under Chioma’s leadership, the company has achieved numerous milestones, earned a long list of local and international awards/accolades and ensured Nigeria and, indeed, Africa are reckoned with in the technology sphere globally.
After over 30 years of building a successful technology empire with her husband, Chioma has been described as the integral analytics —the brilliant backbone behind the phenomenal success of Zinox Group.
A quiet, unassuming tech icon, Chioma Ekeh has acquired a well-deserved status as unarguably one of Nigeria’s top three leading Women-in-Tech, a female technology business leader with extensive years of proven capacity in building high-performing teams and transforming businesses beyond stakeholders’ expectations.
In partnership with her husband, Chioma Ekeh has played immense roles in growing and nurturing partner businesses, launching several thriving new businesses and successfully closing some of the biggest acquisitions in the technology space in Nigeria.
As the wife of Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, the famous billionaire tech entrepreneur, Chioma, has proven to all that money doesn’t always change you. Like her billionaire husband, she believes that wealth without impact is often seen as a form of greed or a lack of contribution to society. In view of this, Chioma has developed a unique breathtaking philanthropic interest that has impacted several lives across the length and breadth of Africa. In November 2024, Chioma floated TecHERdemy, an initiative aimed at equipping 400 young Nigerian women with essential digital skills to succeed in today’s technology-driven world. For six months, participants were introduced to the core courses which include Cybersecurity, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Software Development. But what happened over those six months went beyond just skills; it sparked a movement.
At their graduation ceremony at the Yudala Heights, Victoria Island, Lagos, the visibly excited Chioma urged the young women to let their values guide them as they navigate their careers. Fifteen exceptional participants were also honoured for their outstanding performance and leadership qualities during the programme.
The Tech Experience Centre – Africa’s first technology experience centre – located at Yudala Heights, a sprawling edifice in the heart of Victoria Island – is another project that has Chioma Ekeh’s indelible signature on it. The launch of the Tech Experience Centre in October 2020 received high praise from the Nigerian government and representatives of global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
Under her guidance, Celebrating You, an annual showpiece celebratory event hosted by TD Africa has become unarguably the biggest year-end event in the Nigerian technology industry calendar for over a decade. Chioma has also spearheaded several Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, including The Herwakening – an empowerment programme for female entrepreneurs – and Girls in ICT – a project targeted at encouraging young girls to take up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) disciplines and considering careers in technology.
Leo Stan and Chioma Ekeh have been honoured as one of the Top10 Magazine’s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as inspiration to upcoming couples.
Dr. Gabriel and Godrey Ogbechie
The overwhelming success story of RainOil Group, one of the leading players in the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, is attributable to not just the entrepreneurial acumen of its founder and Group Managing Director, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie. It is also an eloquent testament to the power of understanding and genuine partnership between husband and wife. Together, Dr. Gabriel and Godrey Ogbechie have nursed RainOil from just a concept 28 years ago to a multi-billion Naira conglomerate with many subsidiaries playing at the top end of various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Both Gabriel and Godrey started their working life, not as entrepreneurs but as employees with reputable companies. The former, a Production Engineering graduate of University of Benin, began his career in PriceWaterhouseCoopers, an accounting firm, before switching to an oil and gas company in the early 1990s as the Sales Operations Manager. That move opened the Delta State-born young man’s eyes to opportunities that existed in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry, leading to the formation of RainOil Limited in 1997.
Although a co-founder of RainOil his wife, Godrey, a 1988 graduate of Agricultural Economics and Extension, and a holder of Master’s Degree in Business Administration, did not work for the family company until 12 years later. She was pursuing a banking career with Universal Trust Bank and Fidelity Bank. By the time Mrs. Ogbechie joined RainOil in 2009 as an Executive Director, she had logged 19 years of experience in the banking industry, the last years being at the managerial level in Human Resource Management, which she deployed to the service of RainOil. In her position as Executive Director, a role she occupies to date, Mrs. Ogbechie oversees Corporate Support Services functions, including Human Resources, Information Technology, Brand and Corporate Communications, Admin and Facilities Management.
Amongst several of her other crucial accomplishments at RainOil Mrs. Ogbechie established robust systems and controls across the Group’s operations. Under her supervision as Group Executive Director, and a key member of the Executive Leadership, RainOil Limited has thrived and achieved significant expansion with respect to the growth of the Group’s business operations across the entire downstream value chain, foraged into the upstream business and has several other investments including investments in agriculture, shipping and real estate.
Following RainOil’s foray into Real Estate, Agriculture and Hospitality, Mrs. Ogbechie was appointed the Managing Director of Norsworthy Investments Limited in 2022 to oversee the group’s investments in non–fuel businesses. She has performed in this role for the last three years in addition to her duties as Group ED responsible for shared services. She seats as Director on the Board of Eterna Plc, an aviation fuel company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX), in which her husband’s Preline Limited holds controlling shares. On his part, apart from being the Group Managing Director of RainOil Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie serves as the Chairman of Eterna Plc and holds a directorship position at Globus Bank. He sits on the boards of several other companies in the agro-allied and real estate sectors.
Together, in sustained marital and business partnership, Dr. Gabriel and Godrey Ogbechie have overseen the phenomenal growth of the RainOilGroup’s business operations across the entire downstream value chain, including investment in agriculture & real estate. The company’s strategic assets include three ultra-modern petroleum product storage depots with a combined capacity of 150 million litres, an 8,000 metric tonne LPG bulk storage facility in Ijegun, Lagos State; over 200 retail petrol stations strategically spread throughout the country, over 40 LPG retail outlets, a fleet of over 400 petroleum product tank trucks for efficient delivery of products to its network of stations and customers across the country.
The Ogbechies are unarguably a force in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The names Ogbechie and RainOilhave become synonymous with success in the energy sector. The couple have ensured that they translate their success into a pillar of support for the rest of society through the implementation of various corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropic schemes. They are passionate about people development, especially childhood education. Using the Gabriel Ogbechie Foundation as a vehicle for empowerment, they have built and donated blocks of classrooms to schools in communities, and empowered private teaching support for staff and students in underserved communities. The foundation also provides scholarships to undergraduates, community healthcare services, and other forms of youth employment opportunities. In sports, one of their major initiatives is the sponsorship, since 2017, of the annual RainOilTennis Open in partnership with the Nigerian Tennis Federation with the objective of paving the way for an international tournament that would see Tennis stars from various parts of the world come to play in Nigeria.
The contributions of the Ogbechies to the development and growth of the RainOilGroup, entrepreneurship, the country’s economy, and society at large have been widely acknowledged and recognized. For instance, Dr. Ogbechie was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by President Mohammadu Buhari in 2022. Earlier in 2016, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (D.Sc.) in Technology Management by Novena University, Ogume, Delta State. He and RainOilhave since received several other awards such as the Downstream Company of the Year Award at the 2020 Business Day Nigerian Business Leadership Awards, the Downstream Man of the Year Award at the 2018 Oil Trading & Logistics Conference, Finalist at the 2014 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and The Most Peaceful Oil Personality in Nigeria.
The selection of Dr. Gabriel and Mrs. Godrey Ogbechie as one of the Top10 Magazine’s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria is in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as inspiration to upcoming couples.
Azubuike and Ekeoma Ezeibe
Azubuike and Esther EkeomaEzeibe represent a very good example of a couple leveraging their similar family, professional and career backgrounds to build a flourishing business partnership for themselves. Both Azubuike and Ekeoma were born into royal families and both are lawyers who pursued independent careers in the insurance industry before getting married. The product of the fusion of their family values, perspectives, professional expertise, and career experiences is what you see and know today as Crystal Trust Group of Companies, with investments in insurance, real estate, oil and gas, fast food chain, etc.
Born to the royal family of Nze na Ozo Cyril Eromnini Obi of Emekuku, Owerri, Imo State, Ekeoma studied law (LL. B) at Imo State University (now Abia State University) and University of Lagos (LL. M) and was called to the Nigerian Bar 32 years ago. She started her insurance career during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1988 with the Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation (Nigeria Re) and got retained as a full-time staff thereafter. She worked there for several years, acquiring a lot of training and experience until she left in August 1991.
The following month, she joined Liberty Assurance Company Limited as their Company Secretary/Legal Adviser and also the Head of Claims Department. She later joined Industrial & General Insurance Company Limited (IGI) in September of 1992 as their pioneer Company Secretary/Legal Adviser until December 1995 when she resigned to start Crystal Trust Insurance Brokers Limited (CTIB) along with her husband and other distinguished Nigerians. She was the founding Managing Director/CEO, a position she occupies till date.
Mr. Ezeibe, like his wife, was born into a royal family and also qualified as a lawyer. And just like Ekeoma’s entry into insurance business was not pre-planned (it happened through her chance NYSC posting to an insurance company), her husband’s journey into the insurance world was also providential. During a visit to the United States of America, Mr. Ezeibe met General David Jemibewon (rtd) whom he used to call his father, a mentor and a friend. At that time Ekeoma, his prospective wife, had joined Industrial and General Insurance Company as the pioneer Company Secretary and Legal Adviser. But it was General Jemibewon (rtd) who introduced Mr. Ezeibe to a company called Asset and Liability Insurance Company and persuaded him to buy some of their shares.
When Barr. Ezeibe returned to Nigeria around 1992 and it was discovered that Asset and Liability Insurance Company in which he invested was not doing well, General Jemibewon drafted him to go and do the magic of turning the company around and that was how he joined the insurance industry. He became the Company Secretary/Head of Human Resources and Legal Adviser. Azubuike under-studied the then Managing Director, Mr. Joe Marienah for about 11 to 12 months before the mantle fell on him as the Acting Managing Director. By then he had re-linked with Ekeoma who was then his friend and school mate. “So, most technical issues that cropped up l will refer them to my wife even though we had not gotten married then but were courting,” Barr. Ezeibe recollects.
He was there for 18 months, during which he stabilized Asset and Liability Insurance Company and got married to Barr. Ekeoma. He resigned and moved on to establish a law firm; Ezeibe and Ezeibe (Legal Practitioners and Consultants). “I subsequently told her that we have seen the prospects in insurance business and should establish our own organization. A short while after, Crystal Trust Insurance Brokers was born. Mrs. Ezeibe, by then already a thorough-bred and dedicated insurance professional, became the Managing Director/CEO of Crystal Trust Insurance Brokers Limited,” Barr. Azubuike explained. “So, when you talk about how we moved from one level to another level, MrsEkeomaEzeibe was very instrumental to this. So, as I was running our chambers as a legal practitioner and consultant, as a Director, I was equally working as the chief marketing officer of Crystal Trust Insurance Brokers and luckily, the network that I had built over the years helped our growth. So, I tell young people today; please maximize your contacts. This same General Jemibewon that I talked about; we met at the Nigerian Law School as classmates and we became friends at my very tender age and I have continued to tap from such high network till today.”
Commenting on his business partnership with his wife, Barr. Ezeibe said: “I have a wife who I have known for about 40 years, married to for about 30 years and has been my business partner for 27 years. She has been very instrumental to many of the successes that the group of companies have recorded so far. My job as the Chairman is basically that of policy formulation and the hiring of good hands.”
Mrs. Ezeibe who is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (AIIN) has become a towering figure as leader, resource person and administrator in Nigeria’s insurance industry and beyond. She is a Governing Board member for the eighth year running of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), the 57-year-old umbrella body of all registered insurance brokers in Nigeria set up by an Act of parliament. She has equally served over the years in different Committees of the Council, some of which she has chaired, including the Legal and Help Desk Committees which she currently chairs. She has served two times as the NCRIB nominee to the National Insurance Conference Planning Committee of the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC) and was in the 2019 Committee as one of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN)’s nominee. She was the Honorary Treasurer of the NCRIB for two consecutive terms. She is also one of the recipients of the recognition of Female Trailblazer in the African Insurance Industry at the 46th Conference of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) in Johannesburg, South Africa in June, 2019.
For so many years Mrs. Ezeibe has been one of the Facilitators at the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) where she lectures executives on different topics in Marine Insurance. She equally facilitates courses and seminars for the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) and the Insurance Industry Consultative Council (IICC). She is a Partner and Consultant to the law firm of Ezeibe&Ezeibe.
On the social scene, Mrs. Ezeibe who is widely traveled has been a source of strength, inspiration and blessing to almost all the individuals that have come in contact with her.
The Ezeibes attribute their success to God’s benevolence. According to Mr. Ezeibe, it was an act of God for him to be born into a privileged royal family and that’s why serving and giving to humanity means everything to him. “When I reflect during my quiet moments and I note that the same God who put me in a royal household of Ezeibe could have put me in another family where I will be begging for food.Any time that I stop doing good, it means that the humanity in me has gone. l will not stop the work of philanthropy. I will not stop helping the less privileged. I will not stop paying the school fees on behalf of those who I know could not pay the school fees of their children. I will not stop playing my role in the (Anglican) church. Anytime that I stop doing the good things that l does, it means that I have become poor.”
One thing that gives Mr. Ezeibe joy is to put smiles on the faces of people that he comes in contact with. “There is nothing that God gave you that is for only you. God gave you so that you can in turn give to so many other people.”
Mr. Azubuike and Esther Ekeoma have been accorded the honour as the Top10 Magazine’s 10 Most Impactful Power Couples in Nigeria in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as inspiration to upcoming couples.
