Top oil merchant, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, is the brain behind Nestoil Group, one of the biggest indigenous oil and gas servicing companies in Nigeria. You cannot mention great business minds in Nigeria without mentioning his name. In fact, the trajectory of the man, fondly called ObiJackson, is worthy of a blockbuster biopic.
The billionaire and shrewd businessman is always driven by a strong passion to expand his business empire, a development that has enabled him to give jobs to thousands of people across the country.
He has nurtured the conglomerate into a versatile indigenous entity, with interests in various sectors of the economy, including telecommunications and power generation.
His Nestoil Tower, an architectural masterpiece that straddles both Akin Adesola and Saka Tinubu Streets in Victoria Island, Lagos, illuminates the skyline of that swanky neighbourhood. Despite these phenomenal runs, not many are aware that Azudialu-Obiejesi started as a humble petty trader.
He learnt the rudiment of business early enough while managing his father’s business. It was that experience that prepared him for the volatile business climate in Nigeria when he set up Obijackson West Africa Limited in 1982. That little mustard seed has now grown to become a business octopus of sorts. And growing from that little beginning to become one of the biggest oil and gas CEOs today is laudable.
As Nestoil boss and a player in Nigeria’s oil industry, Azudialu-Obiejesi basked in luxury accruable from his investment. Wealthy and influential, he has always dazzled his competitors and delighted his admirers. No doubt, his success story is such that it will make anyone green with envy. He works hard for his money, so he spares nothing to spoil himself with the good things in life.
He developed a taste for expensive luxury from vintage cars to private jets. He recently increased his fleet to accommodate an additional gulf stream, thereby bringing the number of his private jets to four. The new Gulfstream G-700 was acquired at a whopping cost of N60 billion.
Azudialu-Obiejesi is revered by his kinsmen in Okija for transforming the town into a mini-cosmopolitan city with dozens of eye-popping properties. The 63-year-old tycoon has spent and is still spending billions of naira of his money to build quality infrastructures including roads, a hospital , School and a mini stadium.
His Obijackson Foundation has dispensed scores of scholarships and grants to indigent students and skilled people. The Obijackson Women and Children Hospital is another initiative of his that has quickly become the place to be for those seeking medical attention in Igboland.
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