Valentine Ozigbo

Valentine Chineto "Val" Ozigbo (born July 20, 1970) is a Nigerian business executive. He is currently the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria-based hospitality company, Transcorp Hotels Plc. Transcorp Hotels is the hospitality subsidiary of Nigerian conglomerate, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria plc (Transcorp plc).^[1] He was appointed to the position in 2011.

Previously, Ozigbo worked in the banking sector, gaining over 17 years of experience with NAL Merchant Bank, Diamond Bank, Continental Trust Bank, FSB International Bank, Standard Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa and Bank PHB.^[2]

Early life and education

Ozigbo hails from Anambra State in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria. He attended Christ the Redeemer College, a secondary school in Amesi, Anambra State, where he was an outstanding student, having represented the college in various quiz competitions. He later taught Physics and Mathematics at this institution while awaiting University admission.

He studied Accounting at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka graduating with the class of 1994 with the best result in both Accounting and Business Administration.

He obtained his MBA in Banking and Finance from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2000 and an MSc in finance with distinction from the Lancaster University, United Kingdom in 2004.

Ozigbo has professional qualifications in accounting (The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) which he obtained in 1998, Taxation (The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria) gotten in 2000 and Credit Administration (Institute of Credit Administration) which he bagged in 2015.^[3] He is a fellow of all these three institutions.

Career

Previously, Ozigbo worked in the banking sector, raking up over 17 years in experience with NAL Merchant Bank, Diamond Bank, Continental Trust Bank, FSB International Bank, Standard Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa and Bank PHB.^[2]

As CEO of Transcorp Hotels, he has overseen the hotel's expansion to other cities across Nigeria and a consolidation of its status as the leading hotel in the country.^[4] Under him, the company announced an N8 billion initial public offering (IPO) in 2014, which was oversubscribed.^[5]

Transcorp Hotels Plc

Ozigbo has been Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Hotels Plc. since October 2011. He provides strategic direction and drives the execution of key strategic goals of the company and its projects under management which include business expansion, merger and acquisition opportunities, business improvements, upgrade and renovations.

He is also responsible for developing five new projects worth over $500 million including two hotels in Lagos and Port Harcourt, a 5000-capacity conference facility, luxury apartments and the upgrade of existing hotels with additional retail facilities.

Honours

Ozigbo was a British Chevening Scholar in 2003–04.

He has also participated in many international conferences including: the World Economic Forum at Davos (WEF) and the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) in Nigeria; the African Development Bank annual meetings in China; the World Bank/ International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings in Washington DC; Euromoney and Economist Conferences in London; Euromoney debates on Capital Flows to Africa in London; and SIBOS 2009.

In September 21, 2018 He conferred the award of a Distinguished Alumni of the Lancaster University. The award was conferred on him at a special convocation ceremony of the university held at its Ghana Campus.

Awards

Personal life

Ozigbo is the last child of Mr. Andrew Ozigbo (a retired school headmaster) and Christiana Ozigbo (a small businesswoman). He is married to Mary-Callista Ojiugo Ozigbo with whom he has three sons (Mario Obioma Ugochukwu, Chimdi Angello and Mitchel Chima) and one daughter (Valerie Chioma).

References