ACPN Award: Profile of Dr. Stella C. Okoli, Founder and Group MD of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries

Dr. Stella C. Okoli, OON is the Founder and Group Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries, an indigenous group she more than 37 years ago, which has remarkably grown to have footprints across West Africa and India. Born in Kano, Northern Nigeria to the family of Chief Felix Ebelechukwu and Princess Margaret Modebelu of Nnewi, in Anambra State, she attended All Saints Primary School, Onitisha from 1954 – 1959 and Ogidi Girls’ Secondary School from 1959 – 1964. She later proceeded to University of Bradford in the United Kingdom from where she obtained a Bachelors degree in Pharmacy. This academic achievement was followed by an MSc in Biopharmaceutics which she obtained from University of London, Chelsea College in 1971. Dr. Okoli’s post-graduation work experience is quite impressive. Her experience in the Pharmaceutical field is well consolidated. She initially worked in Middlesex Hospital as a Ward/Clinical Pharmacist, followed in succession by her brief stint as a Pharmacist at Boots Chemist London. Her return home to Nigeria, saw her work at Massey Children Hospital Lagos before she joined a pharmaceutical manufacturing company Park Davies Nigeria Ltd (now Pharma-Deko Plc) as a Medical Representative and later as a Sales Manager. By 1981, her entrepreneurial drive led her into the Pharmaceutical Importation business. She imported both Ethical and Over The Counter (OTC) drugs to meet the health needs of Nigerians for quality drugs and by 1984 incorporated Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries, which has since grown to become Nigeria’s largest indigenous pharmaceutical company with more than 120 high quality products. Dr. Okoli is on top of leadership challenges and is in tune with current management trends. She has attended wide ranging courses across the world, to broaden her knowledge and sharpen her leadership skills. Some of these, include The Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School Boston (1997 – 1999) The Implementing Strategic and Organisational Change at I.E.S.E. Business School, Barcelona Spain (1996). Management Course 2002 in Insead in Switzerland and the Chief Executive Programme of the Lagos Business School. She is also a director of the Harvard Business School Nigeria Beyond her quest for knowledge, she has consistently served in finding practical solutions to the perennial problems in the pharmaceutical sector. She served as the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN) she is an active member of many local and international professional organizations such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, British Chamber of Commerce, Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association as well as Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce. She received the Bullion Award for her outstanding contribution to Industry and Manufacturing. She was Vice President of Manufactures Association of Nigeria (MAN) and has also served as the Vice president of NACCIMA. A great Philanthropist and a Change Agent, she has awarded many Scholarships to students in Secondary and Tertiary Institutions and donated generously to the less privileged in the society and consistently supported several non-profit organizations. Mrs Okoli is the Founder of Chike Okoli Foundation. The foundation was set up in 2006 to raise awareness on cardiovascular disease and promote entrepreneurship. To date, the Foundation’s has set up the Chike Okoli Centre For Entrepreneurial Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has trained and empowered more than 5000 students in the science and spirit of entrepreneurship. It has also reached over 12 million people across Nigeria on lifestyle interventions and healthy living. Dr. Okoli’s great entrepreneurial strides and philanthropy has won her many awards and accolades. She is a recipient of the MON and OON awards from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, among others from several local and international distinguished groups, including the Ernst and Young Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Okoli is proudly Nigerian and a distinguished daughter of Africa. Her doggedness, dynamism and unparalleled energy and passion in the face of daunting odds, have made her a remarkable role model for women and all classes of entrepreneurs across Africa. Her guiding philosophy is rooted in hard work, integrity and ethical leadership. She spends her spare time on charitable work and service to humanity.