Nigerian oil magnate Emeka Offor makes new donation following $30-million book distribution

Omokolade Ajayi -

Nigerian oil magnate Emeka Offor, founder and executive vice chairman of Chrome Group, a conglomerate with interests in oil trading, biofuels, insurance, dredging, and logistics, donated a N100 million ($70,000) endowment fund to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) for development purposes.

The donation came shortly after Offor received an honorary doctorate of business administration degree during UNN’s 52nd convocation ceremony. “I appreciate this great institution for this rare and high honor to me and my group,” Offor said in a statement.

Emeka Offor’s philanthropic legacy expands

The donation adds to Emeka Offor’s extensive philanthropic record. The 65-year-old businessman previously donated books worth $30 million to institutions across 18 African countries in various disciplines like law, computer science, business administration, and political science.

“Discussions with UNN Vice Chancellor Professor Charles Igwe will determine the disbursement method and designated development area for the endowment,” said Emeka Ezeh, Head of Corporate Communications at Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), who represented Offor at the ceremony.

Under Emeka Offor’s leadership, Chrome Group has grown into a dominant player in Nigeria’s oil trading, biofuels, dredging, and logistics sectors, exceeding $1 billion in annual turnover. This success in the energy industry fueled the launch of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation.

Foundation focuses on education and healthcare

A leading champion of education and healthcare initiatives, the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has been a longstanding benefactor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Funded solely by Offor, the foundation awards millions of dollars annually in scholarships to underprivileged Nigerian students.

In addition to its educational efforts, the foundation recently donated 100 fully equipped hospital beds to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, near Enugu, on Offor’s behalf. This follows a 2021 contribution of more than $24 million worth of medicine to support health facilities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.