Career & Net Worth Of Stella Chinyelu Okoli

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Career & Net Worth Of Stella Chinyelu Okoli

Stella Okoli, born Stella Chinyelu Okoli on July 30, 1944, in Kano State, is a renowned Nigerian pharmacist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She is the founder and CEO of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a leading pharmaceutical company in Nigeria. Okoli has made significant contributions to the healthcare sector both in Nigeria and internationally.

Beyond her business success, Stella Okoli has been active in various roles such as a member of the Economic Summit of Nigeria, the Health Matters Advisory Board of Nigeria, and Vice President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. She is also a dedicated philanthropist, having established the Chike Okoli Foundation in 2006 in memory of her late son.

Stella Okoli‘s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Award, the Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Institute of Directors Lifetime Achievement Award.

Early Life & Education

Stella Chinyelu Okoli was born on July 30, 1944, in the vibrant city of Kano, located in the northern region of Nigeria. She hails from the esteemed Nnewi clan in Anambra State, tracing her roots to her parents, Felix Ebelechukwu and Margaret Modebelu.

Stella‘s educational journey began at All Saints Primary School in Onitsha in 1954. She completed her secondary education at Ogidi Girls Secondary School in Ogidi, Anambra State in 1964. She continued her pursuit of knowledge and attended the Federal Science School in Lagos from 1964 to 1966.

Stella Chinyelu Okoli‘s academic ambitions took her to the United Kingdom, where she earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) from the University of Bradford in 1969. She furthered her studies at Chelsea College, University of London, obtaining a Master of Science (MSc) in Bio-Pharmaceuticals in 1971.

Ethnically, Stella is Igbo, a prominent ethnic group native to southeastern Nigeria. While specific details about her religious beliefs and the number of siblings she has are not readily available, her background and education highlight her dedication to personal and professional development.

Career

Stella Chinyelu Okoli, a name synonymous with the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry, has a career as colourful and diverse as the pills she manufactures. Born in Kano State, Northern Nigeria, in 1944, Stella‘s journey began in the bustling city of Onitsha, where she attended All Saints Primary School. From there, she moved on to Ogidi Girls Secondary School and then to Federal Science School in Lagos, showcasing her dynamic academic pursuits.

After her schooling, Stella didn’t stop at becoming a pharmacist; she became a globetrotter, studying at the University of Bradford, UK, and later at the University of London, Chelsea College. She then worked as a ward/clinical pharmacist at Middlesex Hospital in London, proving she could handle the pressures of healthcare like a pro.

Returning to Nigeria, Stella Chinyelu Okoli worked at Massey Children Hospital in Lagos before joining Park Davies Nigeria Ltd (now Pharma-Deko Plc). However, she needed to be more content with working for others; she had the entrepreneurial bug. In 1977, she founded Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited. Starting as a small pharmacy retail shop, Emzor has expanded to have footprints in Liberia and Sierra Leone, establishing Stella as a pharmaceutical queen.

Stella‘s contributions extend beyond the pharmaceutical industry. She has served in various capacities, including as a member of the Economic Summit of Nigeria and the Health Matters Advisory Board of Nigeria. She has also been the Vice President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture.

In 2006, Stella Chinyelu Okoli founded the Chike Okoli Foundation in memory of her late son, aiming to promote healthy lifestyles and entrepreneurial skills among Nigerian youth. The Foundation has established the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, demonstrating Stella’s commitment to philanthropy and youth development.

Personal Life

Stella Chinyelu Okoli was married to the late Barrister Nnaemeka Christopher Ozuomba Okoli, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 71. Despite having a strained relationship since 2000 due to some ‘irreconcilable differences’, she nevertheless looked after him when his health experienced a downward slope in 2004 after he was diagnosed with lung cancer and he had to visit the UK for chemotherapy regularly. Talk about a strong woman!

Stella and Nnaemeka had three children together: Emeka Okoli, Uzoma Okoli, and (Late) Chike Okoli. Unfortunately, Chike Okoli passed away in 2005, leading Stella to start the Chike Okoli Foundation in 2006 in his memory. The Foundation aims to fight against poverty and diseases by raising awareness of cardiovascular diseases.

As for Stella‘s height, it’s not a topic that’s widely discussed in the public domain. However, her achievements and contributions to the health sector in Nigeria are certainly towering!

Net Worth

Stella Chinyelu Okoli, the founder and CEO of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, has amassed a significant net worth of $800 million through her entrepreneurial pursuits.

A substantial portion of her wealth comes from her successful pharmaceutical company. Emzor, which started as a small pharmacy retail shop, has grown into a major player in the industry, manufacturing over 140 products and expanding its reach across Nigeria and beyond.

In addition to her business ventures, Stella‘s contributions to the health sector and her philanthropic efforts through the Chike Okoli Foundation may have also contributed to her overall wealth and reputation.