5 Things President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Said About Leo Stan Ekeh at 70

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Founder and Chairman of Zinox Group, on his 70th birthday (February 22), describing him as “one of Nigeria’s pioneering innovators in the information technology sector.”

The President paid glowing tribute to the tech icon’s legacy, recalling landmark moments that shaped Nigeria’s digital and manufacturing landscape.

Here are five key things President Tinubu said about Leo Stan Ekeh at 70:

1. “One of Nigeria’s Pioneering Innovators in IT”

President Tinubu described Ekeh as a trailblazer who helped lay the foundation for Nigeria’s indigenous technology revolution. By championing local computer manufacturing at a time when Nigeria was heavily import-dependent, Ekeh positioned himself as a visionary in the country’s IT evolution.

2. The 2001 Zinox Launch Was Groundbreaking

The President recalled the launch of the Zinox range of indigenous computer products and accessories in 2001, describing it as “a groundbreaking moment for indigenous technology production.”

At the time, Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State and played a prominent role in the historic unveiling at Eko Hotel, Lagos. The event was widely regarded as Nigeria’s biggest tech launch at the time, drawing national and international attention to the possibilities of local tech manufacturing.

3. A Pace-Setter in Nigeria’s Manufacturing Ecosystem

According to the presidential statement, Tinubu acknowledged Ekeh’s enduring contributions to Nigeria’s manufacturing and information technology ecosystem.

He commended him as a “pace-setter and dynamic industrialist” whose investments helped deepen local capacity, create jobs, and stimulate value-chain development across the tech sector.

4. A Champion of the Nigerian Brand

The President also praised Ekeh’s consistent commitment to promoting the Nigerian brand. Through indigenous production, enterprise development, and youth-focused opportunities, Ekeh has demonstrated that Nigerian companies can compete credibly on a global scale.

Tinubu specifically highlighted his role in creating opportunities for young Nigerians—particularly in technology, distribution, and digital commerce.

5. A Legacy Worth Celebrating

As Ekeh marked his Platinum Jubilee, President Tinubu wished him good health and many more years of “groundbreaking accomplishments.”

The President’s tribute underscores not only personal admiration but also national recognition of Ekeh’s role in shaping Nigeria’s digital economy.

The 2001 Zinox launch drew an extraordinary assembly of Nigeria’s political and economic leadership. Among the dignitaries present were then Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim; and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was serving as Governor of Lagos State at the time. They were joined by state governors, federal ministers, captains of industry, and prominent labour leaders, including Adams Oshiomhole, then President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The gathering underscored the national significance of the event, widely regarded as a defining milestone in Nigeria’s indigenous technology history.

Today, Leo Stan Ekeh presides over Zinox Group, which includes Zinox Technologies, TD Africa, Konga, Task Systems, and TD Mobile—entities that collectively define one of Africa’s most formidable technology conglomerates.

At 70, Leo Stan Ekeh’s journey reflects not just entrepreneurial success, but a defining chapter in Nigeria’s technology history—one publicly affirmed at the highest level of national leadership.