Ifeanyi Ubah is a Nigerian entrepreneur, business mogul, and philanthropist. He is the chief executive of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, one of the major players in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria operating in downstream operations. Ifeanyi Ubah is also, the owner of Ifeanyi Ubah F.C., a Nigerian football club.
Background of Ifeanyi Ubah
Ifeanyi Ubah was born the first son of seven children on the 3rd of September, 1971 in Anambra to the family of Alphonsus and Patty Ubah who were school teachers. He hails from Umuanuka village in Otolo town of Nnewi, the highly industrialised city of Anambra State.
He dropped out of school at a tender age to learn trade. Ifeanyi has since gone on many business courses and conferences which has helped in sharpening his entrepreneurial pursuits. He also studied Owner/President Management Program at Harvard University, Massachusetts, USA.
Ifeanyi is married to Uchenna Ubah, an Executive Director at Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited. Uchenna holds a bachelors of science B.Sc (Hons) degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Ahmadu Bello University. They are blessed with five children.
Entrepreneurial Journey
Upon the completion of his apprenticeship, Ifeanyi started trading in auto spare parts and later diversified into tyre supplies. Barely 3years into this business, he began exporting tyres from Nigeria to Ghana and later expanded to Sierra Leone and Liberia.
At this point, business was booming and life was good for young Ifeanyi so he decided to settle in Liberia. Unfortunately, the civil war in Liberia affected his business and made him moved back to his fatherland.
Back to Naija
Back in Nigeria, Ifeanyi Ubah expanded his auto spare parts business and started supplying to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In DR of Congo, his business thrived making him one of the major importers of auto spare parts. He later expanded his business to other part of the world including South Africa, Dubai, Belgium.
Key to success
One key success factor for Ifeanyi is that he continued to pursue knowledge in his chosen field by attending international workshops and business exhibitions including Automechanika in Messe, Germany, world’s leading trade fair for the automotive service industry.
Having built the needed connections, Ifeanyi ventured into oil and gas business by establishing Capital Oil SPRL in DRC, through which he imported oil and gas from Ibeto Petrochemicals Nigeria. His major customers were transporters and industrial establishments.
He faced a similar Liberian experience in DRC and returned to Nigeria. Thanks to his mentor, Ibeto Cletus who provided the necessary support needed for him to start his business operations in Nigeria.
Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited
Capital Oil is a growing operator in the downstream sector of petroleum industry. With rapid business growth, the company extended into haulage, transportation and petroleum products retail. By 2011, the company had the largest depot facility in Nigeria.
Within few years into the business, Ifeanyi led his company to a vantage position of becoming a dominant leader in downstream sector of oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Today, Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited is metamorphosing into a conglomerate to South Africa, Belgium, Dubai and UK.
Other Business Interest of Ifeanyi Ubah
Ifeanyi Ubah founded The Authority Newspaper on the 19th of 0ctober, 2015. The Authority is a Nigerian daily newspaper published by The Authority Media and Publications Limited. It is a multicultural community paper that covers national and international news.
He also founded Ifeanyi Ubah F.C., a Nigerian football club in 2015. This he did following the acquisition of Gabros International Football Club. In 2016, his football club became the first Nigerian club to sign Brazilian footballers and trainers. The club also partnered with an European club, West Ham United FC of England and within one year of its acquisition Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. won Nigeria FA Cup.
West Ham, FC Ifeanyi Ubah/Capital Oil in historic partnership deal
Philanthropy
Driven by the desire to give back to the society, Ifeanyi established Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation. Through his foundation, Ifeanyi gives scholarships to students, drills bore holes for communities, repairs and constructs roads in Anambra State.
As part of his humanitarian services, he built and donated a student’s hostel at Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa and an ICT Centre for the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna. His foundation also donated Anglican Bishop’s Court to Akwa Diocese, built catholic cathedral in Otolo-Nnewi and donated 150M to Anambra State Football Association.
In 2018, his foundation partnered with Tin Foundation to give free legal services to some inmates at the Nnewi prison.
Boards where Ifeanyi Ubah Serves
Dr. Ubah sits on board of several other companies including Knoll and Hachfer Engineering Co Ltd, Chevron Oronite & Chemical Co Ltd and Hero Communications Ltd. He also serves on the board of The Authority Media and Publications, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Capital Group Congo and Oil Force Nigeria.
Ifeanyi Ubah is a member of Rotary Club, Rotary District 9140, Environment and Safety Management Institutes.
Recognitions and Awards
Honorary Doctorate of Management Technology by FUTO 2013
Merit Award by FCT Football Association 2015
Outstanding Personality at Consumersng Awards 2016
Grand Commander by Apex Igbo Socio-group 2017
Prestigious Fellow Award by Institutes of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators 2017
Reputation Award from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Anambra State Chapter 2017
SOURCE: entrepreneurs.ng
