Yesterday, Monday, December 15th, 2025, the headquarters of an indigenous Nigerian Oil company, Nestoil, founded by Ernest Azudialu aka Obi-Jackson, was sealed off following a ruling by the court of Appeal.
The act follows legal action by a consortium of lenders against an alleged debtor whose debt exceeds $1 billion.
The man in the eye of the storm seems unfazed about the issue and could be seen dancing to ogene music in several TikTok videos. Obi-Jackson, as he is fondly called, is an astute businessman who built his empire brick by brick and seems accustomed to the pitfalls and hassles of business deals.
On today’s Facts with Infoeast, we look into the story of Obi-Jackson and how he climbed the steep ladders of business success in a harsh Nigerian business climate.
Our Fact story covers his journey from birth to the Nigerian business terrain, combining historical facts with current ones.
Obi-Jackson’s Birth, Origin, and Age
Ernest Nnaemeka Azudialu-Obiejesi, popularly known as Obi Jackson, was born on April 17, 1960, in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria, into a devout Christian Igbo family.
His official birth date puts him at 65 years old, two years younger than Ahlaji Aliko Dangote. Ihiala is a border town between Anambra and Imo state and shares similarities with Nnewi, another Anambra town known for birthing men with business acumen. Obi-Jackson is reported to be a Nigerian billionaire, which is plausible given that Nigeria’s oil sector is dollar-denominated. The businessman has other businesses in different industries, but Nestoil remains his major cash cow.
Introduction to Business
Obi-Jackson started his business by joining his father’s trading firm, DA Ifeanyi & Brothers, where he gained hands-on experience in commerce and entrepreneurship across West Africa.
He founded Obijackson West Africa Limited in 1983, initially focusing on general trading and distribution of goods throughout the West African sub-region. Many years in the trading and commerce sector drilled him in the rudiments of business and served as a launchpad for his dive into the corporate world.
In an interview, Obi Jackson revealed that he contemplated entering the men’s underwear business after seeing the figures and the massive market. It is not clear today whether he is still actively involved in trading.
Oil and Gas Entry
In 1991, he established Nestoil Limited, which has grown into Nigeria’s largest indigenous Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning (EPCC) company in the oil and gas industry.
The oil company announced its presence with a sprawling headquarters at 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. Despite recent troubles with lenders and financiers, Nestoil remains one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous oil companies.
Running Nestoil
Obi-Jackson plays a flagship role at Nestoil, currently serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nestoil Group and the overarching Obijackson Group, a diversified conglomerate spanning multiple sectors.
On the side, he runs an exploration venture. He serves as Chairman of Neconde Energy Limited, where he oversees oil and gas asset exploration, production, and development, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s energy sector.
Obi-Jackson’s capacity comes from a well-rounded education and practical experience, which he nurtured over the years, starting from an apprentice in his father’s business to starting his own business.
Obi-Jackson Education
Obi-Jackson earned a BSc in Accounting and an MBA from the University of Benin, and further honed his skills as an alumnus of Harvard Business School. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in business administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2009, in recognition of his outstanding entrepreneurial achievements.
In 2012, he was named West African Entrepreneur of the Year and has received numerous accolades within the oil and gas industry for innovation and leadership. As stated earlier, Obi-Jackson combines formal education with practical experience, getting the best of both worlds, making him more grounded in business practice and execution.
Philanthropy and Foundation
Obi-Jackson is an accomplished philanthropist, giving back to the community through the Obijackson Foundation. he drives initiatives in education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and preservation of Igbo cultural heritage across communities.
Additionally, he also champions a series of Healthcare Initiatives. He built and operates the state-of-the-art Obijackson Women and Children’s Hospital in Okija, providing specialised maternal, neonatal, and pediatric healthcare services to underserved populations.
His foundation organises an annual Igbo cultural event, which celebrates achievements, cultural heritage, and tradition.
National Honor and Awards
He was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian government for his contributions to economic development.
In the business world, Obi-Jackson has racked up various awards. They include
- Businessman of the Year 2024 — New Telegraph Newspaper
- West African Entrepreneur of the Year — All Africa Business Leaders Award (AABLA) by CNBC Africa, Forbes Africa, and ABN (2012)
- Oil and Gas Man of the Year — Nigeria Advancement Award (2013)
- Industry Achievement Award — Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) (2014)
- Businessman of the Year — The Sun Newspaper (2015)
- Nigerian Business Person of the Year — Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (2012)
- Businessman of the Year — Mode Men of the Year Awards (2012)
Dr Ernest Azudialu, aka Obi-Jackson, has cemented his name in the Nigerian Business world despite current travails. The Okija-born entrepreneur has diversified into various sectors, including aviation, Communications, the internet, and real estate.
His philanthropic efforts are felt in his hometown of Okija and across other Igbo communities, especially in areas of health and education. Obi-Jackson, as he is fondly called, remains a Nigerian business Icon and an icon in eastern Nigeria.
His inclusion and documentation on our fact list stem from his massive contributions to Nigeria’s business climate and philanthropic efforts in his hometown of Okija.
