Leo Stan Ekeh: Why I have stayed away from party politics

*Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Africa’s foremost serial digital entrepreneur, reveals ‘politics is not my calling’ but acknowledges that ‘I support progressive, ideas-driven politicians across the country’ (Nigeria)

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Africa’s foremost serial digital entrepreneur, has disclosed reasons for his staying away from party politics even when he had an opportunity to make a success of it.

Ekeh, who stated this while responding to questions during a forum of select mentees of young entrepreneurs which ended late Thursday, February 12, 2026, expressed overflowing gratitude to Nigeria, a West African country, he said had “boosted and blessed me.”

Electricity Bills: IKEDC warns consumers against failure to submit tax ID details by February 20

On whether he would consider joining party politics after a successful run in entrepreneurship in the Nigerian economy for decades, the Founder and Chairman of Zinox Group further submitted: “Me, politics? No. I would have been governor of my state long, long ago, but politics is not my calling.

“However, I support progressive, ideas-driven politicians across the country.”

READ ALSO: NITDA, Trust Stamp Partner To Advance Digital Trust And Innovation In Nigeria

UK−Nigeria Cybersecurity Partnership Concludes Training Project

Nigeria Secures Permanent Seat On Board Of African Central Bank At AU Summit

Speaking at the forum, Ekeh as well recalled his early beginning in the country’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) marketplace after returning to Nigeria from the United Kingdom (UK).

The Zinox Chief, who turns 70 February 22 this year, took the mentees down memory lane.

The boardroom technocrat equally, related how he introduced Desktop Publishing, and switched Nigeria’s publishing landscape from analogue to digital while scaling his business into what has become a conglomerate today.

Ekeh stated: “I returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom after quitting my post-graduate programme because I believed so much in this country and the opportunities it presents.

“Though the country has blessed and bruised me, my dream was unambiguous: to propagate what I called ‘digital democracy’ in a country that in those days was wholly analogue.”

He also said: “Today, I will say to a large extent that Nigeria has helped me to actualise my dream, though there is still work to be done.

“Once we were done with digitising the media, we moved strongly into oil and gas, financial sector, and public sector where we impacted heavily e-governance.”

The Chairman of Zinox Group related: “Our ambitious Computerise Nigeria initiative ensured that homes, educational institutions, and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which had no access to computers had access. “We did not just dump computers on the people.”

He further said: “We ensured they were skilled-up to effectively use the systems for enhanced productivity. Nigeria offered me the opportunity to do all this for which I am grateful.”

Ekeh, an Imo State indigene, was in Owerri at the weekend with other dignitaries including Vice-President Kashim Shettima and several governors, politicians and captains of industry at the grand finale of the Imo at 50 celebrations.

He was honoured with the Distinguished Star of Imo State (DSI) Award at the event.

Commendation for Tinubu for courage to ignite far-reaching reforms

Responding to questions on the state of the Nigerian economy, Ekeh commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the courage to start the reforms from May 29, 2023, the day he assumed office.

Why key multinationals invest more in Nigeria’s ICT sector, by Ekeh

The ICT icon contended that any delay on the part of the leadership would have shrunk the economy further, and completely wiped out investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy.

He referenced the recent verdicts from the World Bank and the Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as evidence that what indigenous entrepreneurs have been saying about President Tinubu administration’s reforms as “truly progressive” is not a farce.

He averred: “As a major player in Africa’s ICT ecosystem, I can assure you that major multinationals in this sector are not only investing more in Nigeria, they are collaborating with indigenous players and this is evident in the contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP.

“You will recall that the World Bank Managing Director, Anna Bjerde, who was in Nigeria recently, said Nigeria is now frequently cited globally as an example of steady, credible reform leadership.”

Ekeh further submitted: “That says a lot about what entrepreneurs and employers of labour like me have continued to say about the Tinubu government.

“Sentiments aside, President Tinubu is a well exposed visionary leader. He is investment-friendly, he is courageous and he is a good team player.”

The leading ICT sector stakeholder stated: “This has impacted the brave decisions he has taken, and I am happy that global bodies like the World Bank, and the WTO are talking about it.

“I have known the President for many years and he has remained consistent to his commitment to national development.”

Ekeh noted: “I speak here as an entrepreneur, not a politician. I don’t play politics. I am not a politician and I will not be one.

“I play in the digital space which is the enabler of development, and I am happy doing what I’m doing.”

He recalled Tinubu’s role when he launched the Zinox range of digital products in 2001 when Tinubu was governor of Lagos State.

The Chairman of Zinox Group emphasised that he has no reason not to support Tinubu the way he also supports the governor of Imo State.

Recalling what Tinubu administration did in Lagos at the time, Ekeh said: “As host governor, he took over the show, owned it and drove it.

“And that’s because he was futuristic and driven by the vision of a digitally-driven economy. Tinubu is driven by pragmatism.”

The Chairman, therefore, charged the mentees to stay focused on their track and be intentional in their commitment to keep forging ahead even when the tide seems against them.

He asserted that “entrepreneurship anywhere in the world is tough, but with patience, perseverance and commitment, you will push through the veil.”

Kindly Share This Story