KEY POINTS

• Emmanuel Nuel Ojei died on Saturday night in Issele Uku, Delta State
• He founded and led Nuel Ojei Holdings as chairman and chief executive
• Family members describe him as a mentor and moral compass

Emmanuel Ojei, a prominent Nigerian businessman and founder of Nuel Ojei Holdings Ltd, has died at the age of 74. His death occurred on Saturday night in his hometown of Issele Uku, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The death was confirmed on Sunday by his son, Chuks Ojei, in a statement issued on behalf of the family. He said the loss came as a shock following a brief illness and described it as a deeply personal tragedy.

Ojei, widely known as Nuel Ojei, was a respected figure in Nigeria’s business community, recognised for building enterprises that spanned multiple sectors and for mentoring younger professionals along the way.

A life shaped by enterprise and discipline

In the statement, the family described him as more than a businessman. They said he was a builder of people and institutions whose leadership style combined discipline, resilience and humility. As founder, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Nuel Ojei Holdings, he played a central role in shaping the group’s growth and culture.

Furthermore, those who worked with him often spoke of his insistence on integrity and long term thinking. The family said his businesses were built to create opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development, not just to generate profit.

Beyond boardrooms and strategy meetings, he was remembered at home as a teacher and guide. His son also said his father’s counsel shaped the values of his children and influenced decisions across generations.

Tributes reflect personal and public impact

The family’s statement said that many people saw Ojei as a mentor whose impact went beyond his businesses. People he worked with and friends recognized him as a leader who was both tough and kind and who cared about the people he worked with.

His death, the family said, leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his example and teachings remain. They added that his legacy lives on through the institutions he built and the people he guided over decades.

Ojei is survived by his children, extended family members and also a wide network of friends and associates. The family asked for prayers and support as they mourn and said details of funeral arrangements would be announced later.