With a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Chemical Engineering obtained from the
prestigious California State University, California, USA in 1978, and appointment as Chancellor, Azman University, Kano, Nigeria on 12th July, 2023, Prince Arthur I. Eze is a Nigerian businessman, oil mogul, philanthropist, politician and the CEO of “Atlas Oranto Petroleum”, the largest privately owned petroleum exploration and production Group in Nigeria. The Igbos call him, the ‘Ozoigbondu’ of Igboland and he is said to be one of the wealthiest men in Africa”.
Undoubtedly the largest holder of oil exploration blocks in Africa, and Nigeria’s largest privately held, Africa-focused exploration and production Group, Atlas Oranto Oil prides itself as an oil and gas exploration company with 22 oil and gas licences in 12
jurisdictions across the African continent with oil and gas assets in Gambia, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and Liberia, amongst others. Atlas Oranto has regional offices and representatives across core investment locations in West Africa with its technical base in Lagos while its corporate headquarters is located in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.
He has been the recipient of several awards and recognitions including the following:
- Patron of Ndigbo Lagos’ and adoption into the Ndigbo Lagos Patron Hall of
Fame on his 70th; - Chancellor of Ebonyi State University;
- Conferment with the distinguished award of the ‘Officer of the Federal Republic
(OFR)’ in recognition of his contribution towards the development of the nation’s
economy and humanitarian gesture to the Nigerian people; - “Outstanding Citizen of the World” Award by the Enugu City Centre Rotary
District 9142; - The Zik Prize for Leadership Award in the business; and
- The Africa Value Award’ by Value Reorientation and Developmental Initiative
Africa (VARDIAFRICA).
His philanthropic activities include without limitation the following:
- Donation of N200Million to Azman University during the Inauguration of the
Maiden Board of Trustees [BOT] and Governing Council; - Donation of $12 million for the construction of St. Stephen’s Anglican Deanery
and Youth Development Centre in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria; - Donation of $800,000 for the construction of two primary schools in Yirol and
Rumbek communities in central South Sudan; - N10 million Naira donated to the elderly people of the Ukpo community;
- The donation of the sum of N5 million for a standard sickle cell clinic at the
Ukpo, Dunukofia Council Area of Anambra State to the Association of People
Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD); - Donation of the sum of $800,000 to the relief needs of the victims of Boko
Haram insurgencies at a fundraiser in Abuja; - Donation of N25 million Naira of the total funds raised for the ‘Russia 2018’
FIFA World Cup in 2018; - Donation of $6.3 million to the flood relief efforts in Nigeria;
- Contribution of N20 million Naira for musical instruments and renovations for a
church in Abagana community; - Prince Arthur singlehandedly built a medical research unit for the Nnamdi
Azikiwe University; - He modernised the local market near the Ukpo palace and also created road
networks linking the Dunukofia clan with neighbouring towns like Abba,
Awkuzu, Ifite-Dunu, and Abagana; and - The construction of the overhead bridge in Ebonyi State.
- Etc.
He is married and blessed with children.