As we close out the month, we honor our two Dukes of the Month: Oshoma Zekeri, a Nigerian tech entrepreneur and CEO of Vendoir UK who is reshaping event planning, and Professor Joseph Ezigbo, co-founder of Falcon Corporation and a pioneer in Nigeria’s energy sector. One builds digital bridges, the other powers physical ones. Together, they embody Black excellence, vision, and lasting impact across industries.
From Lecture Halls to Gas Fields: The Remarkable Journey of Professor Joseph Ezigbo
For five decades, Professor Joseph Chukwurah Ezigbo has bestrode two worlds with uncommon grace: the quiet corridors of academia and the high-stakes arena of Nigeria’s energy industry. In January 2026, as he retired after 31 years as pioneer Managing Director of Falcon Corporation Limited, the nation paused to honour a man whose life’s work has powered homes, industries, and a generation of aspiring Nigerians.
Widely described as a “Gas Man to the Core,” Professor Ezigbo’s story is one of intellectual rigour married to entrepreneurial vision. His academic foundation was laid at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. He then crossed the Atlantic to Imperial College London, securing both a Diploma of Imperial College and a Master of Science, before completing his PhD at the University of Salford, Manchester.
This formidable intellectual arsenal would serve him well, first in the lecture halls of his alma mater, where he spent 25 years teaching medical parasitology and mentoring countless students, and later in the boardrooms of corporate Nigeria.
The Academic Who Built an Empire
It was in 1994 that Professor Ezigbo, alongside his wife Audrey, took the audacious step of co-founding Falcon Corporation Limited. What began as a bold venture evolved, under his stewardship, into one of Nigeria’s most respected indigenous gas companies, a force delivering energy solutions that power homes, industries, and businesses across the nation.
His ability to translate complex scientific principles into practical, scalable business solutions set him apart in an industry not always known for its intellectual depth.
The transition from parasitology to petroleum might seem improbable to the casual observer. Yet for Professor Ezigbo, who had conducted groundbreaking research on onchocerciasis (river blindness) and its economic implications, the move represented a natural progression from understanding biological systems to mastering energy systems. Both, after all, are concerned with sustaining life and enabling productivity.
A Legacy Etched in Excellence
The tributes that accompanied his retirement spoke volumes about the man behind the title. At a ceremony held at Jewel Aieda, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, leaders from the oil and gas and banking sectors, academics, former students, family, and friends gathered to celebrate a career defined by academic excellence, visionary leadership, and national impact.
His wife and business partner, Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, now Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Corporation, described his leadership as transformative: a recognition of “the enduring standards he established, standards of excellence, accountability, and people centred leadership.”
Ambassador Ozo Nwobu, a retired Nigerian career diplomat and former Ambassador to Mozambique, perhaps captured the essence of the man most succinctly.
He described Professor Ezigbo as a rare blend of professionalism and genuine connection, adding that his career demonstrates that true leadership is measured by lives touched and relationships built. “Professor Ezigbo exemplifies leadership rooted in service, empathy, and integrity, leaving an imprint that extends far beyond titles and positions,” Ambassador Nwobu observed.
Honours and Enduring Impact
The accolades that have accumulated over the years reflect a life of remarkable achievement. In 2014, he was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for West Africa.
In 2025, he was honoured as Anambra Man of the Year, a recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The organisers noted that Professor Ezigbo had “demystified gas for Nigerians” and was “driving a new wave of industrialisation” through what they described as a gas revolution.
Yet for all his corporate success, Professor Ezigbo has never forgotten the importance of giving back. Through the Joe Ezigbo Foundation, he has provided annual scholarships and humanitarian interventions, creating opportunities for young Nigerians who might otherwise have been left behind.
In March 2026, he unveiled a foundation dedicated to raising awareness about dyslexia in Nigeria, recognising that over 40 million children risk being wasted owing to a lack of adequate awareness and knowledge of how to tackle the challenge.
A Standard for Generations
As Professor Joseph Ezigbo steps back from the daily rigours of corporate leadership, his legacy stands as a lasting testament to leadership, service, and nation building. He has shown that it is possible to excel in the academy and the marketplace, to build a business and build a nation, to pursue profit and pursue purpose.
In an era of narrow specialisation, he has demonstrated the power of breadth, of moving from parasites to pipelines, from lecture halls to gas fields, always with integrity, always with excellence, and always with an eye on the generations yet to come.
His successor, Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, now carries the torch forward. But the standards he established, of excellence, accountability, and people centred leadership, will continue to guide Falcon Corporation for years to come. As one guest at his retirement ceremony observed, his is a legacy that will remain a reference point for leadership within the organisation for generations.
In the end, Professor Joseph Ezigbo’s story is not merely one of personal success. It is a story of what is possible when intellect meets industry, when vision meets perseverance, and when a life is lived in service to something greater than oneself. It is, in every sense, a Nigerian story, and one well worth telling.
Oshoma Zekeri: Building Bridges, Booking Vendors, and Redefining African Enterprise
A Nigerian-born technology entrepreneur, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vendoir UK, Oshoma Zekeri has been honoured as one of the 100 Most Notable Peace Icons in Africa at the prestigious 100 Most Notable Africans Leadership and Business Summit 2026, held in Marrakech, Morocco.
The globally recognised award celebrates exceptional African trailblazers who are rewriting the continent’s narrative through groundbreaking innovation, visionary corporate leadership, and a commitment to socio-economic empowerment.
The Making of a Visionary
Zekeri’s journey to the summit of technology leadership began with a solid academic and professional foundation. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Bowen University (2005–2009), followed by a Master of Science (MSc) in Safety Health and Environmental Management from the University of South Wales (2011–2012).
He further cemented his business credentials with an Executive MBA with distinction from the prestigious Aston Business School (2019–2021), alongside a Level 7 Senior Leadership qualification from the Chartered Management Institute.
His professional career spans over a decade of leadership roles across consulting, real estate, banking, events, and telecommunications. Zekeri has worked for prominent companies including Barclays, Refinitiv, Thomson Reuters, and CBRE.
At Barclays, he served as Safety and Compliance Manager for the UK and CEME regions from 2017 to 2018, and later became Global QHSE Director on the Tetra Pak account at CBRE. He also co-founded and directed LOG Property Limited, a real estate investment company.
From Wedding Frustration to Tech Revolution
The idea for Vendoir was born not in a boardroom but out of personal frustration. In 2016, Zekeri was planning his wedding and discovered that finding reliable vendors – DJs, photographers, videographers, and caterers, was a nightmare. He had long lists of phone numbers but no way to judge quality or fair pricing. He searched for an app that could help, found none, and was left with the expensive alternative of hiring an events organiser.
That experience planted a seed. For years he sat on the idea. Then, in early 2020, he decided to act. He reached out to his network for a chief technical officer and was connected with Charles Ofoegbu, a developer who instantly loved the concept. Soon afterwards he met Yoma James Kukor, a former colleague who was running an events promotion business in London and faced the same frustrations daily. The trio founded Vendoir in October 2020.
What Vendoir offers is a marketplace where event organisers can discover and book vetted vendors based on location, budget, event type, or experience, in just a few taps. The company serves the events industry with a comprehensive platform that simplifies event planning, streamlines the booking process, and provides robust vendor management features.
Under Zekeri’s leadership, Vendoir has transformed how cultural and corporate events are planned, integrating cutting-edge AI and seamless supplier matching. The platform has gained traction, securing partnerships and backing from crowd investors.
Building Bridges Across Continents
Beyond his leadership in the technology sector, Zekeri is a formidable force in the global investment landscape. As an astute real estate investor, he has built a highly successful portfolio of property assets spanning the United Kingdom and is now strategically expanding his investment footprint directly into Africa.
He is also a prolific angel investor who has backed more than 40 startup companies globally, dedicating both capital and executive mentorship to scaling the next generation of disruptive businesses. His investment interests span Agtech, clean-tech, and transport tech.
Redefining African Enterprise
Perhaps most excitingly for the continent, Zekeri is currently spearheading Vendoir’s highly anticipated expansion into the Nigerian market in the fourth quarter of 2026. The move will bring world-class event infrastructure and economic opportunities to local vendors and SMEs. According to company officials, preparations are underway for Vendoir’s planned entry into the Nigerian market as part of its business expansion strategy.
Reflecting on his recognition in Morocco, Zekeri described the award as a profound milestone and a reminder of the work still left to do on the continent. “I am deeply humbled to be recognised among the 100 Most Notable Peace Icons in Africa,” he stated during the summit. “This award is a reflection of the power of the people at the event and enterprise to bridge gaps and build prosperous, peaceful communities in Africa.”
He further dedicated the international honour to his core motivation: his family. “Everything I build is anchored by the unwavering support of my family. I dedicate this award to them, and to my fellow notable icons who are pushing boundaries, shifting global paradigms, and redefining Africa’s footprint on the world stage.”
As Vendoir prepares to officially launch its products and services in Nigeria later this year, this recognition places Oshoma Zekeri firmly among a distinguished vanguard of diasporan leaders who are not just succeeding globally, but actively investing their expertise, capital, and vision back into the African continent.
