Leo Stan Ekeh
The name Leonard Stanley Nnamdi Ekeh also known as Leo Stan Ekeh is synonymous with honesty, selflessness, shrewdness and astuteness
Although he is reputed as one of Africa’s foremost serial digital entrepreneurs, having literally conquered the digital technology sector, his commercial sagacity and determination to diversify culminated in his enlarged business success.
Ekeh has flawlessly taken his conglomerate to the pinnacle and is reputed to be one of Nigeria’s billionaires with untainted and unblemished pedigree
To all fond admirers of Ekeh, it is an extraordinary moment of inestimable ecstasy to see an icon of this magnitude clock the ripe age of 70 on February 22, 2026.
This is a period to soak ourselves in unadulterated joy as we commemorate an exceptional national asset and digital technology guru.
That this writer has not embellished or exaggerated in describing Ekeh as a modest man who has consistently adhered to strong moral and ethical principles, acting honestly and reliably in all situations, even when no one is watching is
evident in the torrents of encomiums poured on him by social critics recently.
A colleague of mine, Chris Nwandu, had casually crafted a content online, describing Ekeh as a multi-billionaire who basically does clean deals, he postulated that many people don’t know him because he’s never flamboyant but was startled that virtually all those who commented unanimously described Ekeh as man of high integrity.
Ayodele Ojeniyi wrote: “Many people know him oooooo. He is the owner of Zinox Computer, Konga, he used to have a bank run by one Chika. Recently, Stan Ekeh lost $28m in a failed Robotics Business and he is still strong.”
Alvan Chinaka wrote: “Clean in all aspects and from his intellect unlike most Nigerian billionaires. He also survived the filthy competition that sought to run his burgeoning business down in Lagos by a competitor trying to crudely exploit tribal sentiments. He is a perfect example for young people and indeed every Nigerian to emulate.
Godswill Tommy wrote: “Leo Stan from a very humble beginning. In the ’90s he would carry his computer on okada dealing. He lived in two rooms he rented from Jakande’s son, he used the sitting room as an office. He is a fighter.”
Victor Onyeka Ben wrote: “Clean in all aspects and from his intellect unlike most Nigerian billionaires. He also survived the filthy competition that sought to run down his burgeoning business in Lagos by a competitor trying to crudely exploit tribal sentiments. He is a perfect example for young people and indeed every Nigerian to emulate.
Alvan Chinaka wrote: “Leo Stan Eke – a clean man. His products are great too. I bought his generator (Itec), 5 years ago. I’ve not changed the plug or called a generator mechanic since then.”
Joshua Iriah Mohammed Adams wrote: “Real billionaires are noiseless. Money na water people, na dem they make noise!”
Oba Adedokun Omoinyi Obalarin wrote: “Neat , cerebral, innovative and always ready to learn. May the good Lord continue to bless him.”
“Ibukun Allen Obituwanse wrote: “I worked for him for two years on secondment to Total E & P Nigeria, as Contract Manager, he pays me an equivalent of what my previous multinational company pays, he is a good man.”
Charles Obi-Obasi wrote: ‘Leo Stan Ekeh, my senior in Holy Ghost College, Owerri. Silent operator. No cho Cho cho. He built and equipped an ICT centre in Imosu.”
Allwell Ndubuaku wrote: ‘He never stood on anyone’s mandate! Never shows off in rented private jets!! Doesn’t brag about Rolls Royce etc but employs thousands of people.”
Kelechi Roland Nwigbe wrote: “Wow! I use ITEC Electric Kettle and it is good!”
For Ekeh, clocking 70 is not just a celebration of age. It basically revolves around giving back to the society which he has done in large quantum.
Ekeh may not exactly be an Alan Turing or a Steve Job, but he embodies their spirits and vision for his people. He is not just a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, he’s actually a Nigerian original.
As he turns 70, it is necessary to reflect on the exemplary life and trajectory of this great avatar of digital age in order to situate his greatness in the pantheon of Nigeria’s great minds.
A man of Nostradamus vision, decades before technology was envisioned as the new oil, the enterprising spirit of a mogul in him had already seen it coming. And he bought into it. In an age and era when the computers were beyond the reach of average Nigerians, Ekeh envisioned a future were it would become a tool in the hands of every household in the country to power governance, education, commerce, and democracy itself. Decades later, that vision has not only materialised – it has helped shape Nigeria’s ICT landscape.
He started Zinox Technologies Limited in 2001 to manufacture computers. He ensured that at launch, Zinox Computers already had the WHQL certification, the first in sub-Saharan Africa, consolidated five years later with the attainment of the NIS ISO 2000: 9001 QMS Certification. In October 2013, the company announced the production of its computer tablet line named Zipad. In February 2018, Ekeh’s company Zinox acquired Konga.com from its owners, buying 99% of the total company shares.
The unique feature of Zinox computers was that they were built within local context and embedded with local realities in mind, including epileptic power supply—an innovation typified by the iconic naira symbols on its systems. Aside hardware, the Company delivered large-scale ICT integration projects, including solutions that revolutionised electoral processes in Nigeria and other African countries such as The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Today, Zinox stands as the only local OEM partner of Microsoft and Intel in Nigeria and has been ranked by International Data Corporation (IDC) as the country’s number one computer brand by sales.
Ekeh’s business acumen and restless entrepreneurial spirit reaches out further in a field. Through Buyright Africa Dotcom Limited, established in 2008, he solved the financing gap that stifled ICT adoption across Africa, offering equipment leasing, project funding, and consultancy services long before e-payments became mainstream. He also founded Technology Distribution (TD Africa), Task Direct, and ITEC Solutions, building one of West Africa’s strongest networks for ICT distribution and solutions.
In 2018, Zinox acquired a controlling stake in Konga, one of Nigeria’s largest e-commerce platforms, stabilising the company and later merging it with Zinox’s retail brand, Yudala. The move reinforced Ekeh’s reputation as a strategic builder—one who steps in not just to acquire, but to restore and reposition.
Yet, for all his business success, Ekeh’s legacy is equally defined by impact. Through the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation and flagship initiatives such as the Computerise Nigeria Project and CANi Scheme, he has consistently championed digital inclusion. His recent Computerise Nigeria Initiative, unveiled at GITEX Nigeria 2025, aims to equip one million students with laptops, internet connectivity, power solutions, and training—tackling infrastructure gaps that have long undermined educational technology programmes.
He has been honoured with numerous honours—including the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), ICON of Hope Award, and multiple honorary doctorates—Ekeh remains driven by the future. He has even called for a national “Tech Independence Day,” confident that Nigeria will soon produce tech billionaires capable of rivalling global icons. Before laptops became commonplace and before digital literacy entered policy debates, Leo Stan Ekeh was already at work—quietly wiring Nigeria for the future. And decades on, he is still building.
Ekeh has given reason why he is not keen on marking his 70th birthday with a mega party, rather electing to offer university scholarships to 1000 Nigerian indigent wiz-kids to study Computer Science in federal universities in order that the country’s private and public sectors could produce a new generation of tech wiz-kids to support the growth of the economy.
According to him, the benefitting students will not be bonded, and they will be equipped to disrupt global wealth equation in favour of Nigeria and defend the country’s tech independence. Selection shall be based on a minimum Intelligent Quotient and age nationwide, and they shall be schooled and exposed beyond tech to become global Tech Citizens.
Widely seen as a self -effacing, humble and private person, who is not given to lavish birthday celebration. On this occasion, he said that rather than a lavish birthday party to celebrate his attainment of septuagenarian club, he has chosen with his Group’s Management to provide world-class tech human capital to support growth of the nation’s economy.
Ekeh, who was once decorated by President Olusegun Obasanjo as ‘Icon of Hope’ on Nigerian Independence Day in 2003, for his tech-driven transformative impact on Nigerian economy and the youths was born in Ubomiri Mbaitoli, Imo State to a middle-class family with three brothers and two sisters. His mother was a dietitian, and his father was a nurse.
He attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri for his secondary education. During his early years, he wanted to own the biggest transport company in Nigeria.
He later went to India for his university education, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Punjab University. Ekeh believes that studying in India was “a great turning point in my life because I found the economy of India a realistic economy”.Ekeh also earned an MSc in Risk Management from the University of Nottingham.
As Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh joins the septuagenarian rank, I thank God for his life and for the millions of lives he has touched, directly and indirectly, all over the world.
May the LORD, continue to uphold him and may he continue to be a blessing to the world for many years to come.
Happy birthday to an indefatigable fortune-maker
Jimmy Enyeh, is a Journalist and Publisher of NATIONAL WAVES Newspaper & Magazine
www.nationalwaves-ng.com writes from Abuja
