By Rommy Imah
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, as Leo Stan Ekeh climbs the 7th floor, turning 70 and officially becoming a Septuagenarian, I am reminded of the famous quote of Malvolio, a character in William Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night, who said: “…Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Leo Stan Ekeh may not have been born great. He may not have had greatness thrust upon him. But those who know the story of Leo Stan Ekeh can attest to the fact that indeed, this tech enthusiast and promoter, an iconic Nigerian businessman, serial investor and philanthropist, achieved greatness through the dint of hard work and strong belief in God.
I’ve spent over twenty years as a journalist following Chairman (everyone in the industry calls Leo Stan Ekeh that, almost like a nickname only insiders use). Trying to capture what makes this man tick? It’s tough. He’s layered, and every attempt to sum him up feels like you’re leaving something important out.
He’s not just an entrepreneur or a visionary. He’s a mentor, a patriot, and honestly, a man who lives by what he believes. Every stage of his story deserves its own spotlight. Yet, I am not here today to talk about Zinox Technologies(and Zinox Computers), TD Africa, Task System, Konga, KongaHealth, KongaPay, Konga Radio, and a whole lot of others- all businesses owned by Leo Stan Ekeh.
Start anywhere in Leo Stan Ekeh’s story, maybe with his early years in the church, or when Nigeria’s ICT revolution kicked off, or in those boardrooms where he shaped the future. No matter where you begin, you get a story that grabs you. It’s about courage, discipline, faith, and this almost stubborn belief that anything’s possible. It inspires you, plain and simple.
The Boy in the Cassock
Picture a quiet Catholic Church in Ubomiri, a community known for abundant rainfall, in the Mbaitolu Local Government Area of Imo State. There’s this young boy in a crisp cassock, ringing the sanctuary bell, singing in the choir. He’s all in: serving at Mass, singing hymns about grace and destiny, taking every ritual seriously.
Leo Stan Ekeh is not just an entrepreneur or a visionary. He’s a mentor, a patriot, and honestly, a man who lives by what he believes. Every stage of his story deserves its own spotlight.
That boy grew up to be Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Africa’s top digital entrepreneur, a national figure, and someone whose jaw-dropping achievements in tech are rooted in a deep, personal faith.
Now, at 70, it’s easy to list his business wins, the companies he’s built across tech, banking, insurance, oil, real estate—you name it. But honestly, the real story goes deeper than the headlines and awards. At his core, Leo Stan Ekeh is a man shaped by faith, grounded in prayer, and convinced that success is really about serving something bigger than yourself.
“I love God and will never hesitate to do anything in the service of God and humanity,” he once said. And he means it. His faith isn’t just something he talks about—it’s how he lives, how he gives, and how he leads.
From the Altar to the Marketplace
Leo Stan never forgets where he came from. His grandfather was a reverend, and his dad sang solos in that same church. For his family, faith wasn’t just for Sundays—it was woven into daily life.
In a world that loves to chalk up success to hustle or genius, Leo is pretty open about what drives him. “God is the author of my success,” he’s said more than once. “I’ve made plans, I’ve worked late nights, but without God’s mercy and grace, none of it would have worked.”
But honestly, the real story goes deeper than the headlines and awards. At his core, Leo Stan Ekeh is a man shaped by faith, grounded in prayer, and convinced that success is really about serving something bigger than yourself.
That belief shapes everything. He doesn’t drink or smoke—discipline isn’t a burden for him, it’s how he gets ready for what matters. He’s called himself a “miracle child,” and you can tell he really feels he owes it all to God’s mercy.
“I live my life as if I am the only child of my parents,” he once said. “It drives me.” And you can see that drive in everything he does.
A Builder of Faith and Futures
A few years back, he went home to Ubomiri. Not just for a visit—he wanted to give something real to the place where he once knelt as an altar boy. So, he built a church. Not just the church, but a rectory too. This wasn’t some corporate move. It was personal. A way to say thank you.
At the church dedication, he put it simply: “God has managed me.” He talked about all the temptations and pressure that came with his success, and how he never faced them alone. “He gave me a proactive personality and filled the gaps in my life.”
You can see his faith in the way he gives. He doesn’t just write cheques, he gets involved. Over the years, he’s set up modern tech hubs at universities across Nigeria, giving young people a real shot at digital skills. With scholarships, here and abroad, he’s opened doors for people who would’ve missed out otherwise.
He’s big on the idea that capitalism needs a heart. “Wealth is a responsibility,” he told a group of young entrepreneurs. And he means it. One year, instead of throwing himself a huge birthday bash, he sent the money to charity. For him, celebration feels right when it lifts someone else up.
The Awards and the Recognition
All this work hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s a Fellow and past Personality of the Year at the Nigerian Computer Society, and a Fellow of the Nigerian Law School. Forbes even named him one of Africa’s top tech leaders.
He picked up the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) honour in 2004. Back in 2001, President Obasanjo called him an Icon of Hope for his groundbreaking work in African IT. In 2019, President Buhari gave him the National Productivity Order of Merit Award.
Over the years, he’s set up modern tech hubs at universities across Nigeria, giving young people a real shot at digital skills. With scholarships, here and abroad, he’s opened doors for people who would’ve missed out otherwise.
He’s got honorary doctorates from a long list of schools: University of Jos, Imo State University, Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi, Federal University of Technology in Owerri, and Federal University Birnin Kebbi, just to name a few.
On the academic side, he earned a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Economics from Punjab University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Risk Management from the University of Nottingham.
But honestly? The people who know him best don’t go on about his awards or his “digital giant” reputation. To them, his real legacy is simple: he’s a man of God.
The Human Angle
Leo Stan Ekeh stands out (you notice it right away). He’s got this mix of ambition and humility that just feels rare. He wants big things for Nigeria, but he’s always gentle and genuine when you meet him. I’ve reached out to him a few times when I ran into issues with his media team. Every time, he got back to me fast, straight to the point.
That kind of response makes you see what kind of person he is—just plain humble, through and through. Yet, you’ll see him mentoring young entrepreneurs, running training sessions, and giving his time. Not just money, he actually shows up.
He says it all the time: “The most important thing is realising where you’re coming from and who you want to be. Always remember that every effort depends on God. Work harder, work smarter, and have faith.”
That’s not just talk for him. He believes failure has less to do with lack of opportunities and more to do with your attitude and how much you really want it. His advice for young Nigerians? Don’t treat faith lightly. Don’t settle for average. Go all in.
Leo Stan Ekeh stands out (you notice it right away). He’s got this mix of ambition and humility that just feels rare. He wants big things for Nigeria, but he’s always gentle and genuine when you meet him.
At 70, Ekeh lives out the idea that the Nigerian dream isn’t just a slogan. He’s still right there, proof that it’s real. He loves his country, and he’s convinced Nigeria’s full of opportunities for anyone willing to work and believe. He doesn’t let things like ethnicity or background box him in. He just sees possibilities.
Meet him, and you’ll see a man who brings his faith with him to the office. For him, business is a calling. Wealth means responsibility. He pays tithes for all his companies, not because he has to, but because he believes in it, right down to his bones.
From quiet moments in the pews at Ubomiri to the top of Africa’s digital world, his journey isn’t just a story of making it big. It’s a story built on faith.
At 70, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh isn’t just marking another birthday. He’s celebrating grace. And when Nigeria celebrates him, it’s really celebrating that mix of faith and vision, the kind that doesn’t just wait for the future, but actually goes out and builds it.
Happy 70th birthday, Chairman.