Draft:Nonso Okpala
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Nonso Okpala (born December 20, 1979) is a Nigerian investor and fintech entrepreneur, serving as the Group Managing Director and founder of VFD Group Plc,[1] [2] an investment firm listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and the United Kingdom. He is also the co-founder of ARTSPLIT, a fintech company, offering lease auctions and co-owning possibilities for African works of art.[3]
In 2023 and 2024, Okpala was appointed as a Non-Executive Director at the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX)and the Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS)[4][5][6] respectively. In 2022, he received the Anambra Most Inspiring Man of the Year award.[7][8] Beyond his business roles, he is engaged in philanthropy, supporting education and healthcare in Nigeria through the Chude and Ego Foundation[9]
| Name | In use: Nonso Okpala | Given: Nonso Okpala Michael Okpala |
| Born: December 20, 1979 (Age 45) | Birth Location: Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State (South-East Nigeria) | Nationality: Nigerian |
| Education: Primary: Lydia Primary School, Benin City, Edo State | Secondary: Merit Brothers Juniorate, Uturu, Okigwe, Abia State | Tertiary: University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu |
| Occupation Category: Investor, Fintech, Innovator | Job: Group Managing Director, VFD Group Plc. | Additional: Founder, Chude and Ego Foundation |
| Years Active: 2004 – present | Known for: VFD Group Plc. |
Early Life and Education
[edit]Nonso Okpala was born in Uga,Aguata Anambra State, Nigeria. He grew up in a Catholic household influenced by his parents' work ethic and commitment to community service. His father, Chude Okpala, was a banker, and his mother, Ego Okpala, worked in education and entrepreneurship. Okpala attended Lydia Primary School in Benin City and Marist Brothers Juniorate in Abia State before earning a degree in Marketing from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His training at KPMG and his qualifications from ICAN and CAIA provided a strong foundation in finance and accounting.
Career
[edit]After graduating, he joined KPMG Professional Services, advancing from Auditor to Senior Auditor. In 2008, he moved to BGL Plc in corporate finance, then later held a finance director role at Heirs Holdings
In 2016, Okpala took on the role of Group Managing Director at VFD Group Plc, a company he co-founded in 2009.[10] Originally intended as a banking venture, VFD Group expanded into an ecosystem of over 20 companies across various industries, with a portfolio valued at over ₦240 billion.[11] Key subsidiaries include VFD Microfinance Bank,[12] Abbey Mortgage Bank,[13] and Anchoria Asset Management.[14]
The Nigerian Stock Exchange
[edit]In 2019 VFD Group under his leadership, debuted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange [15] later earning the "Listed Company of the Year" award at the 2023 Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Made of Africa Awards.[16][17] In 2022, Okpala co-founded ARTSPLIT,[18] a platform facilitating shared ownership of non-traditional assets like art, music, and real estate with the aim to democratize access to these assets.
Philanthropy and Cultural Engagement
[edit]Okpala supports healthcare in Nigeria through the Chude and Ego Foundation, including the OSNON Academy, a co-boarding school for providing free education to underserved communities [19][20]
References
[edit]- ^ "meet-nonso-okpala-gmd-ceo-of-vfd-group". nairametrics.
- ^ "Nonso Okpala". bloomberg.
- ^ "ARTSPLIT, an African Art-Tech Platform, Launches an Art Co-Ownership and Lease Auction". thesoleadventurer.
- ^ https://www.cscs.ng/
- ^ "VFD Group's Nonso Okpala Joins NGX Group Board". Businesspost.
- ^ "Nonso Okpala Joins Board Of CSCS". businesstodayng.
- ^ "VFD Group boss, Nonso Okpala emerges Anambra's Most inspiring Man of the Year". vanguardngr.
- ^ "Man of The Year Award: Nonso Okpala, Anambra's Rising Star – Africa's Oracle of Omaha". anambrapeople.
- ^ "Chude & Ego Foundation launched to transform low-income communities". businessday.ng.
- ^ "A Business Revolution Dream Being Fulfilled". thisdaylive.
- ^ "VFD Group: From penny stock to high value investment firm". businessday.
- ^ https://vbank.ng/
- ^ https://www.abbeymortgagebank.com/
- ^ https://anchoriaam.com/
- ^ "NASD WELCOMES VFD GROUP PLC TO TRADE". nasdng.
- ^ "vfd-group-wins-equity-listing-of-the-year-at-ngx-made-of-africa-awards". thisdaylive.
- ^ "VFD Group Wins Award At NGX Made Of Africa Awards". nationaleconomy.
- ^ https://weareopensa.artsplit.com/
- ^ "osnon-academy-opens-its-doors-to-bright-futures". businessafricaonline.
- ^ "Chude & Ego Foundation's Osnon Academy Opens Doors To Indigent Students". independent.ng.