Even for the most private of persons, wealth and success in business have the resultant effect of casting a spotlight on you.
Celebrating an individual’s success in business is not peculiar to our part of the world but when one considers that Nigeria has not earned a reputation for being an easy place to do business, it puts things into clearer perspective. At present, Nigeria ranks 146 on the Global Ease of Doing Business Index.
In a nation of several thousand entrepreneurs, Oritsedere Samuel Otubu stands heads and shoulders above the rest.
Born in Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government, Delta State, Dere –as he’s popularly called – is one of Nigeria’s most accomplished entrepreneurs.
With a diversified portfolio of investments in Banking, Insurance, Power, Property Development, Oil and Gas, and Fast Food, Dere Otubu is a highly accomplished and self-motivated entrepreneur with natural leadership ability and a 25-year history of successfully developing and building businesses.
Reputed to be one of the earliest board members of Zenith bank, Dere Otubu’s investment in Nigeria’s banking sector includes a ten-year stretch as a Director of Access Bank.
He also boasts of business experience in Nigeria’s insurance sector having served as the Chairman of insurance giants, STACO Insurance before going on to found SENFORCE insurance.
Perhaps his willingness to invest across various sectors belies his natural inclination to try while maintaining his personal principles of impact.
With a background in Accounting and Finance across his Bachelors and Master’s degree from the Houston Baptist University, Texas, Dere Otubu is an advocate of lifelong learning.
Over the years, he has taken and completed Executive programs at Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School as well as INSEAD.
As an investor, Mr Dere Otubu has distinguished himself by making perfectly timed strategic investments in key sectors of the economy notably in banking as an investor in Access Bank prior to bank consolidation and in the Power Sector Privatization as a foundation core investor in Eko Disco amongst others.
He plays a strong leadership role in the direction and governance of several companies where he holds significant interests. He is a Director in EKO Electricity Distribution Company (EkoDisco) and also a Director in Food Emporium; owners of Barcelos.
Known for his boundless energy and flawless execution, Mr. Otubu personally mentors budding entrepreneurs and donates his time and money to several philanthropic causes.
It’s not all work and no play with Dere as he’s an avid sportsman and a member of the renowned Ikoyi Club, Polo Club, Lagos Lawn Tennis club and Past Chairman of Delta Football Association.
