Onitsha, one of the most bustling and highly populated cities in Nigeria, has emerged as an incubator for numerous billionaires who have risen to prominence in the country’s economy.
With an estimated city population of 1,800,000 people in 2016, Onitsha has experienced a steady rise in population, reaching approximately 2,253,000 as of early 2023. The indigenous people of Onitsha are the Igbos and they primarily speak the Igbo language. The people of Onitsha are commonly referred to as Ndi Onicha.
Through our research, we have discovered numerous billionaires who kick-started their businesses in Onitsha and successfully built powerful brands. While there are over a thousand notable billionaires who started from Onitsha, we will focus on just a few of them here:
1: Godwin Ubaka Okeke
Godwin Ubaka Okeke is the founder of GUO Transport Company Ltd, which was established in 1980. GUO, an acronym for “Godwin Ubaka Okeke,” is a well-known name in the transportation industry and is now one of the largest providers of intercity and interstate transportation in Nigeria. The company serves over 200 destinations in Nigeria and West Africa with its modern and environmentally-friendly fleet. Besides transportation, GUO group also has interests in commerce, hospitality, banking, manufacturing, education, real estate, and remains a prominent brand in Nigeria.
Chief Dr. (Sir) Godwin Ubaka Okeke is a wealthyĀ man, and according to Vanguard, he once offered N1 billion to his abductors who initially sought N100 million for his release. With an estimated net worth of $4.7 billion, he is counted among the richest men in Igboland State.
2: Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi
Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi started his journey as a trader in Onitsha, where he joined his father’s business, which dealt on selling various goods including fishing nets and later expanded to include building materials. He was among the pioneers who imported firecrackers (knockouts) to the Onitsha market. After leaving Onitsha, he founded the Obijackson group in Lagos, which includes Nestoil, Hammakopp Construction Company, and Smile Communications, among others.
The Obijackson Group has emerged as one of the fastest-growing conglomerates in sub-Saharan Africa, with operations in Nigeria, the US, and the UK. The group operates across multiple sectors, including oil and gas exploration and production, pressure vessel fabrication, power generation, dredging and marine logistics, aviation, civil and infrastructural construction, and real estate. With over 1,500 employees, the group has an estimated net worth of $4 billion.
3: Peter Obi
Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and a presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party in the 2023 concluded election, began his entrepreneurial journey as a student by selling kerosene. He later worked in the corporate world before venturing into politics.
During his high school years, he sold eggs in Onitsha and eventually joined his mother’s supermarket and restaurant business. He later transitioned to the distribution of alcoholic beverages and eventually began importing beverages and cosmetics. Today, Peter Obi is a major player in the Nigerian economy, with interests in the banking and financial sector, hypermarkets, and more.
Peter Obi, even before becoming the governor of Anambra State, was already a billionaire with an estimated net worth of about $3 billion.
4: Dan Chukwudozie
Dan Chukwudozie started his business journey in Onitsha with just ā¦ 480. His company, Dozzy Group, was established in 1980 as a small trading company focused on purchasing and selling artifacts from within and outside the country. One of his prominent brands, Dozzy Belts, gained popularity in Nigeria during the 1980s.
Today, Dan Chukwudozie has transformed his company into a national organization with investments across various sectors of the Nigerian economy. Dozzy Group is a major player in the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Although he maintains a low profile in the media, he is considered one of the richest men in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of $3 billion since the 1990s.
5: Tony Ezenna
Tony Ezenna began his entrepreneurial journey as an apprentice in his father’s chemist store called Eastern Chemists in Onitsha. He later established Orange Drugs in 1988 and gradually expanded the business to distribute pharmaceutical and beauty products sourced from countries such as Indonesia, Germany, Italy, and the United States, as well as locally-made products in Nigeria.
In 2006, Orange Drugs Group ventured into local manufacturing and expanded across West Africa. Today, the conglomerate operates in the pharmaceuticals, beverages, personal care, and lighting industries. Notably, their “Soap noodles” factory in Onitsha, Anambra State, manufactures the popular “Delta Soap” brand, widely recognized in many Nigerian households.
Tony Ezenna’s successful journey is attributed to hard work, discipline, and his unwavering commitment to his goals. He capitalized on opportunities and turned them into remarkable achievements. He is believed to have a net worth of over $1 billion.
6: Obiora Okonkwo
Although not widely known, Obiora Okonkwo has notably contributed to the aviation industry in Nigeria. He began his journey in Onitsha, Anambra State, where he received his primary and secondary education while simultaneously engaging in trading with his father at Onitsha’s main market. He initially focused on the fancy line, trading imported clothing materials like scarves and wraps. Later, he transitioned to the supply chain on Sokoto Street in Onitsha. Dr. Obiora Okonkwo is currently the founder of the Dome Entertainment Center in Abuja and United Nigeria Airlines.
Dr. Obiora Okonkwo holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science from the Russian Academy of Science, Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Moscow. With a net worth of $3 billion, he has made significant contributions to various industries.
7: Chidozie Nwankwo
Chidozie Nwankwo initiated his business in Onitsha, where he traded in building materials. He later expanded his business to Lagos, becoming a prominent player in the construction industry. His main franchises in the sector include Wichtech roofing sheets and Betek paints. Additionally, Chidozie Nwankwo has made substantial contributions to the Lagos real estate sector. With an estimated net worth of $2 billion, he is considered among the wealthiest man in Nigeria.
8: Chief Dr. Emma Bishop Okonkwo
Chief Emmanuel Bishop Okonkwo, a native of Ichi in Anambra State, Nigeria, is a self-made businessman. From his humble beginnings in Onitsha, he has established a gigantic business empire focused on importation, manufacturing, and exportation of goods. With a net worth exceeding $3 billion, Chief Dr. Emma Bishop Okonkwo is recognized as a prominent manĀ in the business world.
9: Vincent Amaechi Obianodo
Chief Vincent Obianodo, born in Umueze village, Neni, Anambra State, is known for his smart business acumen. He recognized a significant opportunity in transporting traders from Onitsha to Enugu, which led him to establish the Young Shall Grow Motors. Today, the company has grown into one of the largest luxury bus companies in Nigeria, with a fleet of over 500 buses serving various routes within Nigeria and West African countries such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Benin Republic. Chief Vincent Obianodo’s net worth exceeds $2 billion.
Other notable companies with origins in Onitsha include Tiger Food, Activa Oil, Ibeto, Sea Horse, Juhel, and Cutix Plc, among others. These companies have contributed to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.
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