Zinox founder rules out politics, backs Tinubu’s reform agenda

Leo Stan Ekeh, founder and chairman of Zinox Group, has ruled out any future in partisan politics, declaring that public office is not his calling even as he threw his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform agenda.

Ekeh, who disclosed this at a forum of select mentees of young entrepreneurs in Owerri, said he could have pursued a governorship position in his home state but deliberately chose to remain in the private sector.

“Me, politics? No. I would have been governor of my state long, long ago, but politics is not my calling. However, I support progressive, ideas-driven politicians across the country,” he said.

Ekeh, who turns 70 on February 22, said his mission has always been to deepen Nigeria’s digital transformation rather than seek elective office.

“I speak here as an entrepreneur, not a politician. I don’t play politics. I am not a politician and I will not be one. I play in the digital space which is the enabler of development,” he added.

Reform endorsement

Beyond distancing himself from politics, Ekeh offered a strong endorsement of Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that the administration acted decisively at a critical moment.

According to him, delaying tough policy decisions would have further weakened investor confidence and shrunk the economy.

“Sentiments aside, President Tinubu is a well exposed visionary leader. He is investment-friendly, he is courageous and he is a good team player,” Ekeh said.

He pointed to recent positive commentary from global institutions, including the World Bank and the World Trade Organization led by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as validation that Nigeria’s reform direction is gaining international recognition.

“As a major player in Africa’s ICT ecosystem, I can assure you that major multinationals in this sector are not only investing more in Nigeria, they are collaborating with indigenous players,” he said, citing the growing contribution of the ICT sector to GDP.

Ekeh also recalled Tinubu’s role in 2001 when, as governor of Lagos state, he supported the launch of Zinox’s digital product line, describing the president as pragmatic and forward-looking.

“As host governor, he took over the show, owned it and drove it. And that is because he was futuristic and driven by the vision of a digitally-driven economy,” he said.

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Digital democracy vision

Ekeh used the opportunity to reflect on his early return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, where he abandoned a post-graduate programme to pursue opportunities in what was then a largely analogue economy.

His goal, he said, was to propagate what he called digital democracy, expanding access to computing technology across homes, schools and government institutions.

Through initiatives such as Computerise Nigeria, Ekeh said his companies did not merely distribute computers but ensured users were trained to deploy the technology productively.

“Nigeria has blessed and bruised me, but it has also given me the platform to actualise my dream,” he said.

Ekeh was recently honoured with the Distinguished Star of Imo State award during the grand finale of the state’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Owerri, attended by Kashim Shettima, vice president and other dignitaries.

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Message to entrepreneurs

Addressing his mentees, Ekeh urged young Nigerians to stay focused and resilient amid economic headwinds.

“Entrepreneurship anywhere in the world is tough, but with patience, perseverance and commitment, you will push through the veil,” he said.

For Ekeh, influence lies not in occupying political office but in building institutions and enabling economic transformation, a path he says he remains committed to as he enters his eighth decade.