A titan forged in humility and destined for leadership, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo’s rise to the top is not just another success story—it’s a masterclass in how valiant, brilliance, integrity, and compassion can elevate someone to the pinnacle of their career.
From the arenaceous childhood life in Amesi, a town in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, to the boardrooms of multinational corporations, Val, as fondly called by admirers, has shattered ceilings, rewritten rules, and set new standards of excellence, proving that one’s background can be a source of great motivation rather an hindrance.
Now, as Ndi Anambra stands at a crossroads, almost beaten into submission by years of unfulfilled promises but hungry for transformational leadership, Ozigbo emerges as the beacon of hope, a knight in shining armour who is ever-prepared to combine his rare vision and experience to steer the state into its golden era.
The Making of a Prodigy: From Amesi to the World Stage
The boy who taught his teachers
Born in Umuomaku, Orumba South LGA, Ozigbo was a precocious child whose genius became evident at a very early age. The top inspirational politician exhibited exceptional intellectual prowess, a trait that would define his academic and professional journey later in life.
After breezing through his elementary education, Ozigbo found himself within the four walls of the Christ the Redeemer College in Amesi, where his academic brilliance became more noticeable.
The renowned author’s remarkable records attracted the interest of his principal, who hired him to teach Physics and Mathematics while awaiting university admission. This unheard-of feat foreshadowed his leadership destiny.
The scholar who conquered academia
Ozigbo continued his academic journey at the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he studied Accounting and graduated with flying colours in 1994. He emerged as the best student in both the Department of Accounting and the Faculty of Business Administration and took home six awards for his exceptional performance.
The frontrunner in the 2025 race for Anambra governorship later returned to UNN to obtain an MBA in Banking and Finance, highlighting his thirst for knowledge and commitment to personal development.
Ozigbo wasn’t done yet. In 2003, his unquenchable knack for academic excellence earned him the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to study for a Master’s in Science at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. This afforded him the opportunity to prove his mettle on the global stage, as he graduated with distinction in 2004.
Ozigbo’s academic resume isn’t just proof of brilliance and competence; it’s also an important lesson to Ndi Anambra: a leader who values education will prioritise it.
The Corporate Colossus Who Revolutionised Nigerian Businesses
The multiple award-winning global CEO’s journey in the corporate world began in the banking sector, where he had a successful 17-year stint across different entities and held different roles. His first experience came at NAL Merchant Bank, a job he secured due to his outstanding performance in a course at UNN.
He went on to strut his stuff at Diamond Bank, Continental Trust Bank, Standard Trust Bank, Bank PHB, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), excelling in the key positions he found himself and proving that his academic prowess was never a fluke.
Ozigbo served as UBA’s Divisional Head of International Banking, overseeing the bank’s expansion beyond Nigeria. Due to his leadership skills and strategic vision, he earned recognition as one of the industry’s brightest minds. At Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank), the respected business leader rose to the position of General Manager.
The hospitality game-changer
In 2011, Ozigbo made a bold move, switching career lanes from banking to the hospitality industry. He took on the role of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The astute businessman supervised a $100 million renovation of the hotel, which transformed it into Africa’s leading business hotel and a prime destination for world leaders visiting Nigeria.
His tenure is replete with numerous accolades, including multiple World Travel Awards for Africa’s Leading Business Hotel and Nigeria’s Leading MICE Hotel. Ozigbo’s success was so phenomenal that he was appointed as the President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc in January 2019.
In this role, the founder of VCO Foundation oversaw the conglomerate’s holdings in power, hospitality, and oil and gas, including Transcorp Power, Transcorp Hotels, and Transcorp Energy.
The Philantropist with a Warrior’s Heart
Beyond his corporate achievements, Val is globally known for his philanthropic efforts and commitment to community development through his Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) Foundation. The foundation has embarked on a plethora of initiatives aimed at empowering young people, promoting sports, and preserving cultural heritage.
One of his standout projects is the Unusual Entrepreneur initiative, started under the Unusual Praise program. This initiative provides funding, business training, and mentorship to Nigerian entrepreneurs and is designed to empower young business owners with the skills and resources needed to succeed in a competitive market.
The immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc has a burning passion for youth development, which is evident in his support for freestyle football. Ozigbo is Africa’s biggest promoter of the growing sport and, as Chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, he used the self-organised Nigerian and African Freestyle Football Championships as platforms to showcase African talent on a global stage.
The trailblazing international sports developer’s philanthropic work extends to the arts and culture, with prominent support for Nollywood, where he executively produced one of the industry’s biggest blockbuster movies, Merry Men 2.
Through his foundation, Ozigbo has continued to promote the Igbo cultural heritage with initiatives such as the Ogene Competition and the Mbem & Oja Voice Melody Contest, which celebrate traditional Igbo music.
The Political Phoenix: From Business to Service
The gentleman politician
Ozigbo left his role as the President of Transcorp Plc in 2020 to dedicate the next chapter of his life to public service. His first foray into politics was driven by a desire to translate his corporate success into tangible development for his darling Anambra State.
As a first-time candidate in 2021, the nation builder achieved a remarkable second-place finish in an election, despite the irregularities, cheating and manipulation by the declared winner. This feat, by no means small for a supposed neophyte, was a testament to Ozigbo’s focus, integrity and focus on substantive issues during his campaign, which resonated with the people.
His ability to connect with voters on the basis of ideas rather than relying on traditional political tactics or personal attacks set him apart and earned him significant support.
The visionary man Anambra desperately needs
By emphasising a clear and compelling vision for Ndi Anambra, Ozigbo managed to overcome established political figures who had dominated the scene for years.
Ozigbo anchored his vision on the tripod of integrity, inclusivity, and excellence. He envisioned a state where every citizen had access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. His empathetic and people-centred leadership style has earned him widespread admiration and support.
Despite being a newcomer to politics, Ozigbo’s strong showing in 2021 demonstrated his potential as a future leader. His growing popularity shows that voters are increasingly interested in candidates who prioritise meaningful policy discussions over partisan rhetoric.
During his first governorship bid, Val led several initiatives, such as “#Walk4Peace and #Walk4Health,” that aimed to unite and create awareness for the health of Ndi Anambra.
The Unifier of All Interests
As his popularity continues to grow and his drive for good governance resonates beyond party lines, Ozigbo has positioned himself as the right choice to bring all political interests to the table for the growth of Anambra.
With his starring role in the Obidient movement of 2023, coupled with strong ties to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the peace advocate’s entry into the All Progressives Congress (APC) seems destined to unite all the political families in the state into one progressive unit.
Val’s negotiation skills, consensus-building approach and ability to convince everyone are important considerations that can’t be cheaply ignored. Ozigbo is more than a successful businessman or a philanthropist; he’s an embodiment of what is possible when talent, hard work, and a genuine desire to serve others converge.
As Anambra stands on the cusp of an important decision that will shape the future of the state, Val brings to the table the assurances of his experience, power of vision, integrity, and service to humanity, presenting a golden opportunity to open a new but more inspiring chapter for the state.
Dr. Tony Offiah is a business professional, seasoned politician and a public affairs analyst. He holds a Ph.D. in public administration with research interest in public administration and political economy.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
