How ABC Orjiako Made His Billions from the Oil Industry 

Successful entrepreneurs are known for diversifying their assets to cover a wide range of vital industries with great economic value. Dr Ambrose Bryant Chukwuemeka Orijako, popularly known as ABC Orijako is one of them.

He is a medical doctor turned business mogul and billionaire with holdings in a variety of industries, including oil and gas, shipping, banking and insurance, and the pharmaceutical industry. 

His story illustrates that excelling in business requires the same level of focus as conducting surgery on a patient. 

ABC Orjiako’s Childhood and Education

On the 2nd of October 1960, Ambrose Bryant Chukwuemeka Orjiako was born in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, to an Igbo family of late Mr Daniel Obiesie Orjiako and late Mrs Rebecca Orjiako from Umuchima, Uli Anambra State.

He did his primary education in Uli and finished his secondary school as a science student in Anambra State, Nigeria, in 1978.

Dr ABC Orijako was an outstanding student who led his secondary school class. He was accepted into the University of Calabar to study medicine and graduated as one of the top students in 1985.

While as a student, he was the Director of the International Federation of Medical Students, African Region, and the Chairman of the African Medical Students Association’s Standing Committee.

He went on to become an orthopaedic surgeon, specialising in trauma care. He was also named a fellow of the West African College of Medicine and the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College after years of practice.

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Entrepreneurship Journey

After years of practice as an orthopedist and trauma treatment specialist, ABC Orjiako transitioned to business in 1996. Due to his considerable influence and connections with the military state rulers of the time, he began to ascend steadily in the oil and gas sector.

Dr ABC Orjiako became a multi-millionaire soon when oil and gas became Nigeria’s principal sources of revenue. Later on, he expanded into other industries such as construction, shipping, banking, and insurance.

The launch of SEPLAT Petroleum Development 

SEPLAT was co-founded by Dr ABC Orjiako’s company, Shebah Exploration and Production Company, alongside Platform Petroleum Limited. 

Dr ABC Orjiako has been the chairman of SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company since its inception in 2009, this is because of his great leadership and management skills. 

Since then, the company has had significant development in oil and gas production, earning her international acclaim. 

SEPLAT now produces over 8,000 barrels of crude oil per day and owns up to 40% of the offshore block.

The company began trading on the Nigerian and London stock exchanges in 2014. 

In the same year, she was named Best Africa Listing. SEPLAT also received the Oil and Gas Council’s Mid-Cap Company of the Year award in 2014, as well as the World Economic Forum’s Global Growth Company award.

Dr. ABC Orjiako other positions 

Dr ABC Orjiako, a consummate businessman, currently holds many roles and holdings in various firms. 

He is also the chairman of Zebbra Energy Limited, the CEO of Ordec Group, Helko Marine Services, and Shebah Exploration and Production Co. Ltd., in addition to being the chairman of SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company.

Dr. ABC Orjiako has also made investments in the real estate, banking, and pharmaceutical industries.

Dr. ABC Orjiako’s Social Impact

The Daniel Orjiako Memorial Foundation, which was established in honour of his father, annually serves over a hundred people around the country.

SEPLAT has also contributed to the improvement of the national economy by creating thousands of jobs within its realm.

Dr. ABC Orjiako’s Honors and Awards

In appreciation of ABC Orijako’s philanthropy and dedication to humanity, Pope John Paul II awarded him the Knighthood of the Order of St Gregory the Great (KSGG) in 2003.

He also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award and Doctor of Sciences (D.Sc. Honoris Causa) from the University of Calabar in 2001, as well as the Zik Prize, the Platinum Award of the West African College of Surgeons, the African Business Executive of the Year in 2014 by the Oil and Gas Council, and the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2012.

Dr. ABC Orjiako is more than a successful entrepreneur. He has four children and he is married.

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