Stella Okoli

**Stella Chinyelu Okoli: Nigerian Pharmacist, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist** Stella Chinyelu Okoli (MON, OON) (born circa 1944 in Kano State, Nigeria) is a highly respected Nigerian pharmacist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. She is best known as the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Emzor Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company, one of Nigeria's leading pharmaceutical firms. Okoli is recognized as a pioneering figure in the Nigerian healthcare industry, committed to producing high-quality and affordable medicines. **Early Life and Education** Okoli's foundational education began at All Saints Primary School in Onitsha (1954–1959) and Ogidi Girls Secondary School in Ogidi (1959–1964). She then attended Federal Science School in Lagos (1964–1966). She traveled to the United Kingdom for her higher education, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm Hons) from the University of Bradford. She further earned an M.Sc. certificate in Biopharmaceutical in 1971 from the University of London, Chelsea College. Okoli is also an alumnus of prestigious institutions, including the Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, and I.E.S.E Business School in Barcelona, Spain. **Career and Entrepreneurial Venture** Upon returning to Nigeria, Stella Okoli worked in several pharmaceutical firms, including stints at Middlesex Hospital, London, and later as a pharmacist at Massey Amoco in the UK. She founded Emzor Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company in 1977 as a small retail shop for pharmacy products in Lagos. Under her visionary leadership, Emzor grew rapidly, transitioning from drug importation and wholesale to local manufacturing in 1988 with the establishment of its first manufacturing plant. The company has since expanded significantly, becoming one of West Africa's most prominent pharmaceutical manufacturers. Okoli currently serves as the CEO. **Major Achievements and Notable Works** Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Okoli has held influential leadership roles in various industry bodies. She is a current member of the Economic Summit of Nigeria and the Health Matters Advisory Board of Nigeria. She has served as Vice President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and has also chaired the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA). Following the death of her son, Chike Okoli, in 2005, she founded the **Chike Okoli Foundation (COF)** in 2006. This non-profit organization is dedicated to fighting poverty and disease by raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases. She also runs the **Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies** to foster youth enterprise. **Honors and Recognition** In recognition of her extensive contributions to the Nigerian health sector and entrepreneurship, Stella Okoli has received numerous honors. She was bestowed with the national awards of **Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)** and the **Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)**. Other accolades include an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (2011), the Lifetime Achievement Award from CePAT (2014), the Ernst and Young Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), and the Silverbird Lifetime Achievement Award (2018). **Current Status** Dr. Stella Okoli remains highly active in both the business and philanthropic sectors as the CEO of Emzor Pharmaceutical, continuing to drive innovation and quality in the Nigerian healthcare landscape while advancing public health advocacy through the Chike Okoli Foundation.