News
23 Years After, Obasanjo was Right on Zinox
By Ayodele Adigun
It was a weather-friendly Tuesday morning on October 9, 2001 at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. History was made in Nigeria. Zinox, a wholly indigenous tech brand, was launched with many firsts and unique features. The brainchild of Forbes Best of Africa’s Tech Icon, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, it had the blessings of the then President Olusegun Obasanjo, an African statesman of peerless courage.
The event was attended by dignitaries from both the public and private sectors, diplomats and representatives of multinational computer brands.
The then Vice President Atiku Abubakar was Special Guest of Honour, while President of the Senate at that time, Rt. Hon. Anyim Pius Anyim, was Chairman of the occasion. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then Governor of Lagos State, was chief host. Lagos was on lockdown literally, from the Island to the mainland as many governors, ministers, senators and members of the National Assembly, top corporate moguls, the leadership of the different labour unions, led by Adam Oshiomhole, then President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, were in attendance.
Beyond the razzmatazz of the colourful launch, Zinox more than justified the confidence Obasanjo reposed in Ekeh and the brand. It did not just transform into a formidable African brand, it scored many firsts, a salute to the legendary innovative entrepreneurial skill of Ekeh and his team and a testament to the outstanding leadership clairvoyance of Obasanjo. It is safe to say that in Zinox, Obasanjo saw the future.
After the launch, Obasanjo invited the management to Aso Rock and endorsed the Zinox brand as a national pride. It was no surprise that Obasanjo branded Ekeh: “Icon of Hope,” on October 1, 2002, as a role model to future Nigerian digital entrepreneurs, a fitting cap for an exemplar of the true Nigerian spirit of chutzpah, excellence, innovation, humility and integrity.
True, President Obasanjo achieved a lot in the ICT ecosystem from the introduction of the GSM genre of telephony via one of the most transparent mobile digital auctions administered by Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, to the creation of several indigenous computer assembly plants. But it was obvious that Zinox brand and its promoter, Ekeh, occupied a huge space in the President’s heart. Obasanjo boldly flaunted the Zinox brand, travelling the world with it, not just as a user but as a national brand and pride and was never shy to show it to other world leaders that Nigerians can also produce computers.
In one of his books, Obasanjo is a prolific writer, it has to be said, he celebrated Ekeh as a model for Nigerian youths. He topped the presidential adulation for Ekeh with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, one of the high-ranking honours of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Obasanjo never hid his admiration for Ekeh or his pride in his accomplishments as an indigenous player with global clout. On one occasion when President Obasanjo was hosting the nation’s captains of industry at State House, he singled out Ekeh and openly prayed for him, showering him with presidential blessings and publicly affirming his positive impact on Nigerian youths as a man who is living the Nigerian dream with hard work.
On account of the reliability of the Zinox brand and Obasanjo’s matchless sense of patriotism, he directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to standardise on Zinox and equivalent indigenous brands. This gave a spur to the growth of the Zinox brand and it became the preferred brand in the industry among public and private sector officials.
Zinox at 23 is beyond a celebration of an African brand. It is a celebration of uniqueness, doggedness, resilience and entrepreneurial majesty of an African who dared the digital nerds of the advanced economies and succeeded in creating digital mills in and across Africa. But more significantly, Ekeh singlehandedly turned global attention to Nigeria.
And just by Ekeh’s stroke of genius, Zinox scored many firsts. The first internationally certified indigenous computer brand in West Africa and the first computer brand in the world to incorporate the Naira sign (N) on its keyboard. First Original Equipment Manufacturer in sub-Saharan Africa to receive Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Lab Certification; first Microsoft Prime Production Online Automation Partner in Sub-Saharan Africa with the OA Version 3.0; first Intel Premium Partner; first OEM in West Africa to attain the ISO 9001-2015 Certification; first to acquire the Google Mobile Application Distribution Agreement in West Africa; first OEM in Nigeria to introduce renewable energy and lifestyle products and attaining the status of Intel Platinum Partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
In 23 years, Zinox has become one of a kind, unique in name, quality, global competitiveness and readiness for the market. The high-profile stature of its launch said it all. Zinox is truly like no other indigenous brand.
Atiku, a retired Customs Officer, widely travelled businessman and nationalist, underscored the seriousness of the Zinox brand at the launch. He said: “I have been in both public and private sector. I have travelled widely and have witnessed the launch of products and services across the world but nowhere in the world have I seen a product launch of this magnitude and type. Zinox has just made a huge marketing statement out of Nigeria that would be heard in the rest of Africa and around the globe.”
Atiku gushed as he addressed the enraptured and sufficiently excited audience. An elated Atiku spoke glowingly about the Zinox project, describing it as a perfect example of backward integration which sits well with the Federal Government policy of looking inward to boost the nation’s primary sector. He saluted Ekeh and his team for their ingenuity and tech-savvy showmanship.
An excited Oshiomhole, who launched the “Computerise Nigeria Project”, a social project at the event by Zinox meant to democratise the ownership of computers to the unreached and under-reached, described Ekeh as a “digital militant”.
A good 23 years after, Atiku deserves to be called a master of clairvoyance. As he predicted 23 years ago, Zinox’s influence has spread across Africa and beyond.
The public presentation of Zinox range of products was beyond a product launch. It was a loud statement on the sovereignty of Nigeria. In the 21st century, no nation is truly sovereign without her home-grown tech identity and sufficiency. Ekeh sings this as his abiding song: the need to create a truly Nigerian IT identity.
Ekeh is a serial digital disruptor, an incurable challenger of status quo. And Zinox is a product of both personal determination and patriotism. It was born to break protocol and discard stereotype. It answered the question: Can anything good come out of Nigeria?
Ekeh says with a sense of national pride and self-satisfaction: “We showed that in Nigeria, it’s possible to create technology that is smart, competitive and stands shoulder to shoulder with any of its kind across the globe. We went a step further in domesticating the technology behind Zinox. We conceptualised and built into the systems stabilizers and surge protectors to take care of our peculiar challenges of irregular electricity supply and the problems associated with switching from Alternating Current (AC – national grid) to Direct Current (DC-generators). What gives me joy above monetary reward is that today when our children hear about Zinox, they have a sense of self-belief because they have been to our plant and they now know there’s nothing so special about the computer and the technology behind it.”
So far, Zinox has proven both competence and capacity at home and other parts of Africa. It was the preferred technology that powered several mega projects including the 8th All Africa Games codenamed COJA 2003; the 18th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Nigeria in 2003; All-Africa University Games held in Bauchi in 2004; and 7th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Africa Union held in The Gambia in 2006. It has also undertaken critical interventions by transforming the Nigeria and Guinea Bissau electoral systems from analogue to digital. The conduct of Nigeria general elections in 2007 and 2011 is a good example. Zinox has also fully provided the technology for the postponed national census.
A quintessential family man, Ekeh has stayed deep-rooted in the ICT space. His wife, Lady Chioma Ekeh, a mathematician and chartered accountant, oversees the biggest tech distribution company in sub-Sahara Africa, TD Africa. His first son, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, aka The Prince of Konga, with MBA from Oxford, leads Konga, the ecommerce giant, which he acquired through his company, Yudala, in one of the most ambitious and seamless acquisitions in Africa’s tech history.
His first daughter, Gozy Ajogun, nee Ekeh, an alumnus of London School of Economics, oversees Task Systems, an ICT solutions firm under the Zinox Group. T second daughter, Chidalu Ekeh, with Masters in Digital Marketing from Imperial College, London, is a Fintech whiz, while his other two younger sons also play in the tech space.
Ekeh has built a digital family rooted in ICT. He has added digital value to Africa, but the best of them all is the gift of Zinox, for which the nation is grateful.
. Adigun, an Associate Professor of Mechatronics, writes from Lagos.
The Senate on Tuesday deplored what it described as violations of the principles of federal character in the appointments, recruitments and promotions in some key federal institutions and agencies.
Specifically, the upper legislative chamber fingered the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Pension Commission (PENCOM), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and several other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as culprits.
The matter was a subject of debate at plenary as Senator Osita Ngwu called the Senate’s attention to the alleged violations through a motion.
Ngwu’s motion, entitled “Urgent Need to Address Systemic Abuse and Ineffective Implementation of the Federal Character Principle in Nigeria’s Public Sector,” got the attention of the lawmakers.
Ngwu, who led the debate, cited Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which explicitly prohibit the dominance of individuals from a few states or ethnic groups in federal institutions.
He observed that while recruitment opportunities are limited, promotions are often based solely on years of service rather than merit, leading to the continued marginalisation of certain regions.
According to him, the lack of accountability in enforcing federal character principles has compromised fairness in the public sector, with senior-level recruitments often influenced by cronyism instead of competence.
Ngwu further observed that while the federal capital principle aims to balance merit with equitable state representation, its poor implementation has negatively affected discipline, morale, and institutional efficiency.
According to him, “The federal character principle, entrenched in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, mandates fair representation in federal appointments to reflect the linguistic, ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity of the nation.”
He continued, “Section 14(3) and (4) of the Constitution unequivocally stipulate that ‘no predominance of persons from a few states or a few ethnic or sectional groups’ should exist within the federal government or its agencies.”
Ngwu listed the NNPCL and its subsidiaries, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), PENCOM, NDIC, the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) as non comliant entities.
He accused them of consistently failing to adhere to federal character Mandates, and often bypassing regulations in their recruitment exercises.
Ngwu warned that unchecked violations of federal character laws would continue to erode the effectiveness of key legislative provisions.
He listed the affected legislative provions to include Section 14(d) & (e) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017, Part I(1)-(2) of the Subsidiary Legislation 23 of 1997, and Section 11(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
He also raised concerns about the lack of independence of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
Ngwu observed that despite the Commission’s constitutional mandate, it remains weakened by underfunding, political interference, and a lack of enforcement power.
While approving the probe of the affected entities, the Senate directed its Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs to conduct investigative hearings into their activities.
The committee is expected to submit its findings within four weeks.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four bank employees over their alleged involvement in a sophisticated fraud and money laundering scheme that diverted over £138,924 (more than ₦270 million) from international airline accounts.
CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, command’s spokesperson, disclosed the arrests on Monday during a press briefing at the state police headquarters in Ikeja.
According to CSP Hundeyin, “The suspects conspired to siphon funds from domiciliary accounts into personal accounts before redistributing them to multiple destinations.
“The fraud was uncovered when the affected bank detected unauthorized transactions and alerted the police.”
Explaining further, the spokesperson said: “Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the following suspects: Oluwatobiloba Olaleye, male, aged 27, was arrested on March 12, 2025, in Ogun State. A Toyota Camry 2012/2013, suspected to be a proceed of the crime, was recovered from him.
Oladunjoye Adegoke, male, aged 33, was arrested on March 13, 2025, in Victoria Island, Lagos. A Toyota Camry (Pencil Light), suspected to be another proceed of the stolen funds, was also recovered.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Austin Alfred, male, aged 38, the Supervisor of the Trade Services Department, and Jude Uzobuaku, male, aged 36, a processor in the same department. Both facilitated the illegal transfer of funds to foreign accounts.”
Police investigations revealed that the stolen funds were initially funneled into an account belonging to one of the suspects before being transferred to multiple other accounts, making it harder to trace. Authorities are now working to track down additional accomplices and recover the remaining funds.
“The suspects are in custody and will face prosecution as the investigation continues,” CSP Hundeyin stated.
Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has announced a $15 million grant to support 3,000 budding entrepreneurs from 52 African countries.
Tony Elumelu, founder, TEF, made this known on Sunday in Abuja during the unveiling of the 2025 cohort of the foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme.
He stated that each beneficiary would receive a $5,000 seed grant to kick-start their businesses.
Elumelu, who is also chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), reaffirmed his commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs and transforming the continent’s economic landscape.
According to Elumelu, the foundation aims to democratise opportunity across the continent, fostering economic growth and providing young Africans with access to funding and mentorship.
“We had a vision that started in 2010; one that envisions a self-sustaining Africa, driven by the energy, vision, and resilience of young entrepreneurs.
“We understand the challenges they face in contributing to Africa’s economic transformation.
“If empowered and encouraged, these young Africans can drive meaningful change,” he said.
He noted that capital alone was not enough, highlighting the importance of business education, mentorship, and training in building successful entrepreneurs.
The entrepreneurship programme, which began in 2015, originally set out to economically empower 10,000 young Africans over 10 years, each receiving $5,000 in seed capital.
“This year marks the 15th anniversary of the foundation, and we have made a considerable impact across all 54 African countries.
“In the 21st century, Africa does not need aid; what it needs is investment in its youth,” Elumelu said.
Somachi Chris-Asoluka, chief executive officer (CEO), TEF, noted that since the programme’s launch in 2015, the foundation had.disbursed over $100 million to more than 21,000 young entrepreneurs across Africa.
According to Chris-Asoluka, these businesses have collectively created 1.5 million enterprises, and generated $4.5 billion in revenue.
“Our entrepreneurs have demonstrated that ideas are the lifeblood of the African continent.
“For the 2025 cohort, we received over 200,000 applications, and from this pool, 3,000 entrepreneurs from 52 African countries will receive $15 million in funding.
“Each entrepreneur will receive a $5,000 non-refundable seed grant; this is neither a loan nor equity,” she stated.
She further assured that the foundation had a monitoring and evaluation platform in place to track progress after disbursement, ensuring that beneficiaries adhered to their approved business plans.
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