Peter Obi is no small boy when it comes to business in Nigeria. Is it the banking sector you want to talk about? Or is it fintech, agriculture, or the energy industry? The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate has companies that have made a major impact in the country and overseas. Let me now let you see the list of Peter Obi companies, especially in Nigeria.
List of Peter Obi Companies
If you are a Nigerian, you’ll understand me better when I say Ibo man and business na 5 and 6. In short, Ibo man and money…let me leave it there.
And as Peter Obi is a proper Anambra man from the Eastern part of Nigeria, AKA Ibo, then you should know that his flair for business wouldn’t be any different.
The young man (is he young?…at 64? anyway, back to the issue) has been in the entrepreneurial arena for a long time and has made a noticeable mark on Nigeria’s business environment. Expectedly, the companies owned by Peter Obi are into different kinds of deals.
Below, I have highlighted some of his major ventures and how he has been managing them all.
Next International Nigeria Ltd
This is Obi’s baptism into business.
That is not to say he wasn’t doing any business before now, but when it comes to business on a very large scale, then Next International Nigeria Ltd was Obi’s first.
He founded this business in 1988, and at that time, the company focused mainly on import and export services.
However, when Obi blowed (as we would say in our local parlance), he did what we call expansion and went global. He even opened an office in the UK as far back as 1995. It was from this expansion that Obi became internationally known when it came to trading, thus setting the foundation for future ventures.
And that was how Next International became an essential part of Peter Obi’s business portfolio.
Fidelity Bank Plc
I know many of you have been asking if Peter Obi is the owner of Fidelity Bank. Well, there have been conflicting reports and even denials from the man. So it remains unclear if he actually owns the bank or not. However, rumour has it that he does, but just fronts others. If you want my opinion on this, I will say just let sleeping dogs lie.
But since I am here to list Peter Obi’s companies, Fidelity Bank Plc will still stand out as one of them. Not just because he served as chairman of the bank in 1994 at the age of 34, which makes him the youngest to hold such a position in Nigerian banking, but because what links him to the bank are just too numerous to mention.
Now, let’s put the bank ownership aside.
Did you know that under Obi’s chairmanship, Fidelity Bank grew substantially to become a major player in the Nigerian banking sector? Yes, that’s Obi for you. That feat is even one of the reasons he is seen as a leading figure when it comes to finance. You now get why you see him quoting figures as a politician?
Chams Plc
If they ever ask you about the first non-bank institution that was licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide POS services, just know that that company is owned by Peter Obi. That company is Chams Plc. That’s right. They specializes in identity management and fintech solutions.
Chams owns, among others, Paymaster Nigeria Ltd. This is the company Obi has used to modernize Nigeria’s payment system. In other words, Obi is one of those who have helped streamline financial transactions across the country.
Fantastic, right?
Guardian Express Bank Plc
You’re probably wondering if he owns this bank, too?
First of all, Guardian Express Bank Plc is no longer in existence. They are one of the banks in Nigeria that merged to form SPRING BANK (also defunct) with Citizens, ACB, Omega, Fountain Trust, and Trans International Bank. In short, all those banks are ghosts of themselves. Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) took them over and managed them all as one entity under Enterprise Bank Limited, but today, Heritage Bank Plc have acquired it.
Let me not bore you with all that history. What you need to know for now is that this Guardian Express Bank is another business where Obi made a significant impact when he served as chairman and shareholder.
It was during his tenure that the bank launched Guardian Express Mortgage Bank, where affordable home loans were given to Nigerians. And of course, many Nigerians got home ownership. This act alone addressed the crucial gap in the housing sector. Also, it made more Nigerians start banking, increasing financial inclusion across different income levels.
Future View Securities Ltd
The stock market, which is where most big boys make their money from, is another business Obi expanded into through Future View Securities Ltd.
Obi used this private equity and stock brokerage firm to become a major player in finance and investment, and in Nigeria’s equity market.
This company kind of helped strengthen the country’s investment sector.
Data Corp Ltd
This company is into data analytics and processing. Their services are offered to industries such as finance, technology, and more.
Working with Data Corp Ltd shows the role Obi plays in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Data Corp has become a critical player in Nigeria’s growing data-driven business environment.
Card Centre Nigeria Ltd
Another company that can be added to Peter Obi’s portfolio is Card Centre Nigeria Ltd. Obi tried venturing into the manufacturing of SIM cards, ATM cards, and other identity cards using this company.
Of course, you know how crucial these products are to Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, especially in telecommunications and banking.
Obi gave a good show of leadership in this company, and he has become an important player in these sectors. And today, Obi’s contribution has, in a way, helped expand Nigeria’s digital sector.
Sure-Peters Limited
It is with this company that Peter Obi makes investments in the energy sector. Sure-Peters Limited focuses on producing and distributing oil and gas products, and by so doing, addresses the growing concern of the energy demands in Nigeria.
From this investment, you obviously can see another business strategy of diversifying Obi uses for his portfolio.
Of course, when it comes to long-term, Sure-Peters has got Peter Obi’s back.
Integrated Produce City Ltd
This man doesn’t seem to want to slow down at all. Obi, as expected of any sensible businessman in Nigeria, also has investments in Agriculture. Integrated Produce City Ltd has just one aim: to create a world-class farming center that will boost agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
And you know what the best part is? This project is expected to keep enhancing food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices, which, as you know, are vital to Nigeria’s long-term development.
In other words, this particular venture Obi entered will most likely help transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector and provide long-lasting benefits to the economy.
Gabriella Investments Limited
How else can we be told that Obi is a typical family man? As part of his international business strategy, Obi founded Gabriella Investments Limited in 2010 and named it after his daughter.
This company, which is based in the British Virgin Islands, is what Obi uses to explore investment opportunities outside Nigeria. You know that if an Ibo man has not done business with an Oyinbo, he is never counted as an international businessman. And they cherish that title no be small.
List of Peter Obi Investments
Like I’ve been saying, Peter Obi has investments in several sectors. One of the businesses he invested in includes International Breweries, where he put in about $12.24 million (that will give you roughly ₦1.96 billion at that time) during his tenure as governor. This investment later became a 10% stake in the company following a merger. By June 2022, the investment was valued at $5.38 million due to operational costs and exchange rate issues.
Obi’s family owns businesses that include a supermarket chain in cities like Lagos, Anambra, and Abuja. They also have connections with international brands such as Ovaltine and Heinz.
The list of Peter Obi investments is almost endless…and so I must stop here.
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
