Christopher Nonyelum Okeke

His Excellency
Christopher Nonyelum Okeke
EducationSt Gregory's College Georgetown University
OccupationsLawyer and businessman
Known forCo-founding Ajumogobia & Okeke
SpouseNneka Okeke
ChildrenChin Okeke (Son)

Christopher Nonyelum Okeke (born 15 January 1952), is a Nigerian businessman and lawyer who served as Nigeria's ambassador to Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. He is best known for co-founding Ajumogobia & Okeke, a leading commercial law firm, alongside Henry Odein Ajumogobia.[1][2]

Education

Okeke holds a bachelor's degree from Xavier University and a Juris Doctor (J.D) from Southern University. He bagged an LLM degree from Georgetown University in 1979 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980.[3][4]

Career

Okeke began his legal career with U.U. Uche & Associates then later Tomisan, Thomas & Co at Western house, Lagos.[5] He co-founded Ajumogobia & Okeke in January 1984, where he was Managing Partner until his retirement in 2009.[6] He has held positions as chairman and director on the boards of some of the major companies in Nigeria, including Seplat, ARM pension managers, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Eleme petrochemicals, Phillip Morris, among others.[7] Okeke has business interests in the agro-allied sector. He owns the Nigerian Starch Mills in Anambra State and the Quarra Rice Farm in Kwara State.[2][8]

Public Service

Okeke was Nigeria's ambassador to Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia between 2017 and 2020.[9] He has served as honorary legal counsel to British high commissioners since 1989. Okeke has also served as the Legal counsel to the embassies of Canada, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands in Nigeria. He has acted as counsel to international agencies including the Department for International Development, the British Council and the International Finance Corporation.[10]

Personal life

Okeke is married to Nneka Okeke, an Oxford trained executive who was head of marketing at Nestle. He is the father of Chin Okeke.[11][12][13]

References

  1. ↑ "The Vindication of a Lawyer and Public Servant – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 https://www.ft.com/andres-schipani, Andres Schipani (22 October 2020). "Nigerian businessman targets Brazil-style farming revolution at home". Financial Times. {{cite news}}: External link in |last= (help)
  3. ↑ "Board Members – Special Olympics Nigeria". specialolympicsnig.org. Archived from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Seplat Appoints 3 Independent Non-Executive Directors". LEADERSHIP Newspapers. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Board and Management". Aliwa. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "History". Ajumogobia & Okeke. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  7. ↑ Nwachukwu, Iheanyi (1 November 2023). "Seplat appoints Udo Udoma, Okeke, Omotowa as independent non-executive directors". Businessday NG. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "CEOAfrica :: 30,000 CAPAPCITY RICE MILL COMMISSIONED IN KWARA STATE :: Africa Online News Portal". www.ceoafrica.com. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  9. ↑ NAN (21 October 2016). "Presidency Releases Names of 46 Ambassadors-Designate". BellaNaija. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Mr. Christopher John Okeke". Seplat Energy. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Nneka Okeke". Canvest Nigeria Limited. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  12. ↑ chinokeke (3 June 2018). "COACHELLA FESTIVALS, AFRICA GIDI CULTURE". Chin Okeke. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Tatler (24 November 2014). "The Nigerians have arrived". Tatler. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
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