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Leo-Stan Ekeh Miracle: Celebrating Digital Icon@63
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Do miracles exist?
The jury is still out on that.
Nevertheless, the life and times of one man, more than ever before, represents a higher level of refinement, an embodiment of that once-in-a-lifetime feeling that bubbles to the surface when we witness a phenomenon that is so rare and uncommon that we find no other explanations for it other than reach for the sublime, the supernatural, a miracle…
Phillip Brooks, renowned author, motivational speaker, clergyman and particularly remembered as lyricist of the Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem probably had this eclectic man in mind when he famously stated: “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle.”
Perhaps, no statement is more fitting in describing the genius that is Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of the Zinox Group and arguably Africa’s biggest digital entrepreneur than the assertion of Nicholas James Vujicic, foremost Australian evangelist and motivational speaker who quipped that: “If you don’t get a miracle, become one.”
Born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs and only one of seven known individuals who are diagnosed with the syndrome, Vujicic certainly knew what he was talking about.
Ekeh started out in life and business seeking a miracle but in the absence of one, he became a miracle.
Born on February 22, 1956 in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government, Imo State to a modest but very disciplined Christian family, Leostan, as he is popularly known, is a devout Catholic, former mass servant and chorister who – through sheer dint of hard work, uncommon vision, Spartan discipline and a restless spirit which he impressively channeled into a disruptive approach to business – has succeeded in re-writing the history of entrepreneurship in the Third World.
A stickler for success, Ekeh has not only built the biggest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Group in Africa with advanced competencies in virtually every sphere of the ecosystem, but is also spearheading an e-Commerce revolution on the continent through the landmark strides and huge value being delivered through Konga, an e-Commerce giant that is currently the beautiful bride of potential investors ahead of a much-anticipated listing of its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
Incidentally, Ekeh pioneered e-Commerce in Africa with the launch of BuyRight Africa over 12 years ago.
An Economics graduate of the University of Punjab, Ekeh’s stay in the Northern Indian city of Chandigarh for his Bachelor’s degree programme was an eye-opener. In addition to the environmental influence on entrepreneurship, the ultra-modern city of Chandigarh exposed him to extreme creative hard work and it was from here that the seeds of Ekeh’s serial entrepreneurship was first planted.
From India on to Cork City University, Ireland in 1983 where he sought a postgraduate degree in Computer Science with a bent for User Interface, Ekeh took his dreams along with him.
The dream?
“Technology is the only profession that can make the son of a poor man the richest man in the world. It is also the only profession in the world that can help the son of a rich man consolidate the wealth of his parents,” disclosed Ekeh in a recent talk delivered to thousands of eager participants at the 2019 Economic Summit of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), one of the many interventions and mentorship sessions he regularly delivers to an army of disparate youths: students, entrepreneurs, women interest groups and youths from all walks of life.
He had always nursed a vision that technology would rule the world in future and despite the prevailing narrative at the time of his scholarship in Europe of Africa being unripe for technology, Ekeh soldiered on with an ambition to put the African continent on the global technology world-map.
Despite seeing his ambition to seek scholarship in technology at Cork City terminated after three months, Ekeh opted for postgraduate studies in Risk Management, effectively settling for a shared course at Nottingham University and City University, London. An inquisitive mind, his foray into pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Law at what is today known as Guildhall University, London in order to understand the laws guiding international business, was also cut short when the lure of returning to his country of birth to begin the process of making a difference, became too strong to ignore.
What followed next is the stuff of which legends and folklores are made…
On the occasion of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary on October 1st 2001, Ekeh was singled out for honour by the then-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as an Icon of Hope for his sustained pioneering efforts in the area of Information Technology and also as a pride to modern Nigeria.
The award, one among a long list of over 85 local and international awards including the national honour of OFR – Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – for his incisive digital entrepreneurship, perhaps do little to unmask the genius and uncommon brilliance of a man whose massive strides, landmark achievements and personal philosophy will find grand placement in the pantheon of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs.
Every encounter with this iconoclast only serves to reinforce the greatness that exudes from every pore of his body, every speech, gesture, pronouncement and business move. No other entrepreneur on this side of the Atlantic can rival the level of consistent success Ekeh has achieved with every venture he sets his mind and heart on. His is akin to a man with the magic wand!
His legacies are not only numerous and alive, but are certain to out-live him. Such is the enduring quality of the man – Leo Stan Ekeh: mentor to many, leader, business aficionado, serial digital entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Today, Ekeh – a teetotaler who neither drinks nor smokes – can be said to be 99 per cent close to achieving his ambition of building Africa’s most integrated ICT Group.
In addition to pioneering desktop publishing and computer graphics in Nigeria through a 32-year-old Task Systems Ltd., his first company; Ekeh is also responsible for a series of outstanding firsts including pioneering the use of digital dispensing fuel pumps in Nigeria, the launch of the first ICT support company in Nigeria – ITEC Solutions Ltd; pioneer of ICT distribution in West Africa with the launch of Technology Distributions Ltd. which has remained the biggest distributors in the West African sub-region; manufacture of the first internationally certified computer brand in Sub-Saharan Africa: Zinox Computers; deployment of the largest single e-library and wireless cloud roll out in Africa and biometric digital revolution through the sterling work done through Zinox in partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in creating a credible database of voters for Nigeria, among other firsts.
Ekeh’s love for e-Commerce, which he famously pioneered in Africa – has also seen the mega transformation of Konga into an e-Commerce power-house, with bold, ambitious designs which has seen the company’s value appreciate multiple folds since its acquisition from previous majority investors, Naspers and AB Kinnevik and subsequent merger with Yudala.
A global advisor to Microsoft, Ekeh has consistently proven that Africa and Africans have the brain-power, capacity and vision to hold their own on the world stage. It is with this determination that led to Mr. Ekeh visioning, designing and building what is rated as the best digital house in Europe which has become a Mecca of sorts to billionaires, eager to experience the technological, architectural and design marvel.
And through his deep sense of charity and benevolence, many lives have been touched miraculously, even as he continues to live a life of model simplicity and humility.
As the Lord asked, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Ekeh, by his life and times, has boldly answered: “Here am I. Send me!”
Happy Birthday to a digital icon @ 63!
Contributed by an ex-employee of Mr. Ekeh’s.
Patience Okala, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office has urged African countries to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on adding value to its natural resources if it is to fully harness the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
She stated this on Thursday at the Streamsowers & Köhn 20th Anniversary Business Forum, where she stressed that value addition and beneficiation are essential to Africa’s industrialisation and long-term economic growth.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, she said the AfCFTA goes beyond the elimination of tariffs, serving as a framework for industrialisation, value addition, and job creation across the continent.
“AfCFTA is not only about tariffs; it is also about value addition. Africa has to stop exporting raw materials. We need to add value and ensure that beneficiation is done on the continent,” she said.
Okala also said Africa’s economic transformation would depend on the effective implementation of the AfCFTA rather than on the signing of trade agreements alone.
“We have moved beyond negotiations. The success of AfCFTA will be measured by the extent to which businesses can access new markets, trade seamlessly across borders, and benefit from the opportunities created by the agreement,” she said.
She noted that Nigeria had intensified efforts to implement the agreement under the leadership of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, including the development of simplified AfCFTA guides in six languages to help businesses understand and take advantage of opportunities under the trade pact.
Okala called for stronger collaboration among governments, regulators, and the private sector to eliminate barriers to trade and investment and build a truly integrated African market.
“As we move from policy to implementation, our collective responsibility is to ensure that the opportunities created by AfCFTA become practical realities for businesses, particularly MSMEs, women-owned enterprises, and young entrepreneurs across the continent,” she said.
Cisco is exploring artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solutions to support smallholder farmers in Nigeria, as part of efforts to expand digital inclusion and technology adoption.
The initiative focuses on improving agricultural productivity through accessible, data-driven tools.
The move aligns with growing collaboration between Nigeria and the United States under the Commercial and Investment Partnership, which prioritises the digital economy, agriculture and infrastructure.
Speaking at the 2026 World Business Chicago, Brian Tippens, chief social impact and inclusion Officer at Cisco, said the company is assessing practical AI applications to help farmers combine local knowledge with data insights.
He said Cisco is exploring tools such as AI-enabled WhatsApp communities, geospatial mapping and weather intelligence to support day-to-day farming decisions.
The approach reflects a shift towards low-cost, mobile-first solutions suited to rural environments.
Tippens added that the Cisco Foundation is investing in early-stage startups developing technologies for local agricultural challenges.
Industry analysts note that AI adoption in emerging markets depends on locally relevant solutions, rather than large-scale enterprise deployments alone.
Beyond agriculture, Cisco plans to expand digital skills development in Nigeria through programmes such as the Cisco Networking Academy’s One Million Learners initiative.
Tippens said the programme also supports partnerships with organisations working with persons with disabilities, including those developing tools for people with visual impairments.
He added that Cisco’s social impact strategy aims to improve access to technology and promote inclusion, including in conflict-affected regions such as Borno State.
Cisco’s initiatives form part of broader efforts to link digital skills, connectivity and AI adoption to economic development in Nigeria.
Federal Government has launched a nationwide Artificial Intelligence (AI) capacity-building programme for teachers in Federal Unity Colleges, with about 11,700 educators set to acquire digital skills aimed at improving classroom instruction and preparing students for a technology-driven future.
The initiative advanced with the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) between the Federal Ministry of Education and ICEDT Consult Limited, paving the way for the nationwide implementation of the AI Teacher Capacity Development Programme.
The programme, to be implemented through the ministry’s Education Support Services Department, is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise Nigeria’s education sector, strengthen teacher professionalism and equip students with skills required in the digital economy under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Director of the Education Support Services Department, Gabriel Amudipe, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s teaching workforce and the future of education.
He said the nationwide rollout followed the successful completion of a pilot phase conducted in selected Federal Unity Colleges.
According to him, the implementation model developed by ICEDT Consult Limited will ensure effective coordination and quality delivery of the programme across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Amudipe urged officials responsible for monitoring the project to ensure strict compliance with the implementation guidelines and maintain the standards achieved during the pilot phase.
“The ministry remains committed to supporting innovative initiatives that strengthen teacher professionalism, improve learning outcomes and promote the responsible integration of emerging technologies into education,” he said.
Earlier, the Deputy Director of the Education Support Services Department, Oladele Fapohunda, described the programme as a strategic intervention designed to deepen digital innovation across Federal Unity Colleges.
He stressed that collaboration among all stakeholders would be essential to achieving the objectives of the initiative nationwide.
Also speaking, the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Learning Scientist at ICEDT Consult Limited, Dr Abdulrahman Orosanya, said the Federal Government approved the national rollout after the successful pilot implementation in six Federal Unity Colleges representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to Orosanya, the pilot demonstrated the potential of Artificial Intelligence to improve lesson planning, classroom delivery, assessment methods and teachers’ productivity.
He said the nationwide implementation would strengthen teachers’ digital competencies, improve instructional delivery and support the government’s vision of building a technology-driven education system capable of producing globally competitive graduates equipped with 21st-century skills.
The ceremony ended with the formal signing of the Terms of Reference by officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and ICEDT Consult Limited, signalling the commencement of preparations for full implementation across all Federal Unity Colleges.
The ministry said the programme would directly train about 11,700 teachers, while thousands of students across the country’s Federal Unity Colleges are expected to benefit through improved classroom instruction, increased digital innovation and the responsible application of Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning.
It reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to modernise Nigeria’s education system, improve teacher quality and deliver inclusive, equitable and future-ready education nationwide.
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