Nigeria’s manufacturing sector may not always grab headlines, but it quietly powers a huge chunk of the economy, creating jobs, stabilizing supply chains, and reducing dependence on imports where possible.
And behind many of the country’s most successful made-in-Nigeria products are powerful business families who took the bold step of building factories long before it became fashionable.
These families didn’t just enter manufacturing; they shaped it. From cables to cement, plastics to household goods, they’ve grown small workshops into billion-naira empires, navigated multiple economic cycles, and kept production alive despite harsh operating conditions. Their companies have become household names, their products everyday essentials, and their influence a defining force in Nigeria’s industrial history.
Today, we spotlight the families whose vision and business acumen continue to set the pace in the sector. Here are the Top 10 families behind the factories driving the nation’s industrial backbone.
Business: Ekulo Group( Evans Limited)
The Ekulo Group of Companies traces its roots back to 1980, when Chief Dr. Emma Bishop Okonkwo (OFR) founded E.C. Okonkwo & Brothers in Lagos, trading in electrical appliances and beverages. In 1984, he incorporated the business as Ekulo, named after a steady, ever-flowing stream in his hometown of Ichi, Anambra State—symbolizing the consistency and reliability he envisioned for the company.
By 1985, Ekulo had expanded into the importation of beverages, food items, cosmetics, and stationery. That same year, it introduced Five Alive to the Nigerian market and began representing major global brands such as McVitie’s, Goya, and Tura. From 1989 to 1991, Ekulo became the sole representative of McVitie’s in Nigeria and launched Eva Wine, which has since become a household name in the non-alcoholic wine category. The company also represented premium brands like Moët & Chandon, Rémy Martin, and Johnnie Walker.
In the early 1990s, Ekulo diversified into stockbroking and real estate, leading to the establishment of Evans Industries Limited in 1992—now the manufacturer of leading soap brands such as Eva, Meditol, Hawaii, Unik, Gino, and Blossom Light.
Today, Ekulo remains a major force in importation and local manufacturing. The group is led by its founder and Chairman/CEO, Chief Dr. Emma Bishop Okonkwo, with Mr. Joseph Okonkwo serving as the General Manager/Group Managing Director, continuing a legacy built on consistency and Nigerian industrial growth.
