In a country littered with examples of poor leadership and crunching unemployment, very few young people hit it big early in life. One of the young entrepreneurial success stories is that of Stanley Uzochukwu, CEO of Stanel Oil and Gas.

Here are a few facts to note about the entrepreneur:

Stanley was born July 30, 1982, into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew Uzochukwu in Calabar, Cross River State. He is a native of Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He attended Calvary Science School, St. Murumba College and Emmanuel International College before he proceeded to the University of Jos where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Botany.

His first venture into the business world was with the sale of diesel and petroleum which he supplied to corporate organizations until Stanel Oil was registered in 2012. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Stanel Group which according to its corporate profile is an energy company specialized in marketing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), AGO (Diesel) and DPK (Kerosine). Over the years, however, Stanel Group has expanded its tentacles into the production and sales of automobile parts, vehicle consumables amongst others for domestic and industrial use.

Uzochukwu is known for being patriotic following his continuous interest in making huge investments in his home country, Nigeria. Recently in 2017, Mr. Uzochukwu through his business interests acquired the Chicken Republic franchise covering the entire South East region. This arm of his enterprise employs over 700 youths.

In July 2017, The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano commissioned Stanel Group ultra-modern luxury mega centre (Stanel World) in Awka, Anambra State. The facility boasts an impressive farmers’ market with standby home delivery vehicles, French bakery, pharmacy store, automated car maintenance centre, car wash, 1000 sitting capacity chapel, warehouse, supermarket, staff quarters, laundry, spa and mega-event centre. This a replica of what he already has in Jos.

His N1.5 billion capacity mega gas plant commissioned in July 2017, is strategically located between the state-owned university, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Anambra State Women Development Centre along 9th Mile – Awka expressway. While commissioning the mega gas station, the young entrepreneur used the opportunity to touch the lives of over 1000 widows with cash and material gifts before the commissioning. Among the products he sells include, STANEL tyres, STANEL engine oil, STANEL gas cylinders.

Uzochukwu is a well-known philanthropist in Anambra State. At the end of every year, he distributes cash and material gifts to widows and orphans.

In 2017, the Nigerian business magnate and philanthropist won the Forbes 2017 African Achievers Awards for his outstanding achievements in the areas of job creation, reaching out to widows, orphans, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Prison inmates and people with disabilities. He was also awarded for his contribution to child education in his home country, Nigeria.

Stanley Uzochukwu credits his early success in business to the mentorship of Tony Elumelu, a Nigerian entrepreneur and investor who owns Transcorp, a publicly traded Nigerian conglomerate with interests in hospitality, agriculture, oil production and power generation. The duo met in 2013 when Stanley was just starting out as an entrepreneur. He gained much encouragement from Tony to keep pushing and not give up on his dream.

Congratulating the young billionaire on his impressive achievements, Elumelu once said: “Stanley, I like your humility. You are humble and I am proud to be your mentor as you have proudly identified with me as my young mentee. You started very young and you have gone this far because you are focused, passionate, disciplined and determined.”

Uzochukwu is married to a Nigerian socialite, Irene who has four kids for him. Irene is the daughter of Pauline Tallen, the former Deputy Governor of Plateau state. Their first delivered triplets and another baby later on. Rumour has it that the businessman, Stanley Uzochukwu is romantically involved with Nollywood actress Ini Edo. In 2016, the Nollywood diva was seen flaunting an engagement ring allegedly given to her by the married Oil Magnet, Stanley Uzochukwu.

Recently, Stanley Uzochukwu endorsed three Nigerian celebrities, Chief Chiwetalu Agu, Chioma Chukwuka and Uti Nwachukwu have been named brand ambassadors of Stanel Group. He received a Special Recognition Award from Naval War College Nigeria. He was awarded so during a security tour to some selected facilities in his office at Stanel World, Awka, Anambra State