LAGOS — On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Nigeria’s technology landscape stood still as Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, the visionary Chairman of Zinox Group, celebrated his 70th birthday. Known as Africa’s “Digital Torchbearer,” Ekeh’s milestone was marked not with a lavish gala, but with a characteristically forward-looking ₦10 billion philanthropic gesture aimed at securing Nigeria’s tech independence for the next generation.
From President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to elder statesman Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the continent’s most influential voices converged to honor a man whose 40-year career has been the “Digital Bloodstream” of the Nigerian economy.
The ₦10 Billion “Futuristic” Gift
In lieu of a birthday party, Dr. Ekeh announced a monumental scholarship scheme through the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF):
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The Scale: 1,000 indigent Nigerian “wiz-kids” will receive full university scholarships to study Computer Science in Federal Universities.
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The Objective: To build a “critical mass” of high-end tech talent capable of defending Nigeria’s digital borders and driving e-governance.
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The Mentorship: Every beneficiary will be assigned a world-class tech mentor from Year 1, in partnership with the Computer Society of Nigeria (NCS).
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The Impact: Ekeh emphasized that this is a “spirit-driven” project to repay the country that supported Zinox’s rise since 1987.
A Pan-African Expansion: The Zinox–TD Africa Deal
Coinciding with his 70th year, the Zinox Group announced a transformative partnership that scales Ekeh’s vision across the continent:
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Market Reach: Zinox Technologies and TD Africa have formalized an agreement to distribute Nigerian-made tech products across 43 African markets.
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Product Depth: The deal covers everything from Zinox Smart Boards and hybrid inverters to high-performance laptops and iPower renewable energy systems.
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African Solutions: The partnership is hailed as a “declaration of self-reliance,” proving that technology designed for African power conditions and environmental realities can outperform foreign templates.
“Saint Leo”: Tributes from the Giants
The 70th birthday thanksgiving, held at Ekeh’s Lagos residence, featured an emotional reunion of Nigeria’s leadership:
“Leo Stan Ekeh is a very kind man, an achiever… He is one of the people who made it possible for people to say the good things they say about my period in government.” — Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria.
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President Bola Tinubu: Commended Ekeh as a “dynamic industrialist” and a pace-setter who pioneered indigenous hardware manufacturing when others deemed it impossible.
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Prof. Chris Uwaje: Dubbed him the “Saint Leo of all Stars” and the “Field-Marshall of Anticipators” for his ability to see technological shifts decades before they occur.
