Prince Donatus Okonkwo: Philanthropist, Entrepreneur With Outstanding Career in Agro Business

Born 2 May 1968, Prince Donatus Okonkwo a Nigerian entrepreneur, industrialist, and philanthropist has made a remarkable contribution in the agro and food industry, not only in Nigeria but at the global stage.

He is the founder and chairman of Tetrazzini Group of Companies, a conglomerate with interests in food services, real estate, media, construction, agriculture, and energy.

Born in Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, Okonkwo attended Old Court Primary School and All Saints Secondary School in Aba, Abia State.

He later studied at Dean College, London, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Technology, and received honorary doctorate degrees from Carolina University, United States, and Dean College, London. He is also a Fellow of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies.

Okonkwo began his career with Macdonald Food in the United Kingdom, where he rose to the position of supervisor. In 1999, he founded Tetrazzini Foods Plc, a fast-food chain and African restaurant. The company opened its first outlet in Ajao Estate, Lagos, and expanded to 23 locations within its first decade of operation.

He later established the Tetrazzini Group of Companies, which includes subsidiaries such as Tetrazzini Properties Limited, Tetrazzini Farms and Agro-Allied Industry Limited, Tetrazzini Oil and Gas Limited, Zzini Media Concepts Limited, Tetrazzini Construction Company Limited, and Tetrazzini Bureau De Change.

He has also served on the boards of several organizations, including B-Line Communications, Victory Insurance Brokers, Dominion Seeds Investments, and Pinnacle Insurance Brokers.

Okonkwo has held various leadership positions, including serving as a councilor in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State. He was a member of Team Nigeria’s delegation to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the World Youth Assembly. In 2017, he contested in the Anambra State governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okonkwo is known for his philanthropic activities, including the Widows Support Programme initiated in 2008, and a scholarship scheme established in 1999 to support indigent students. He also built the General Library in Ojoto, Anambra State, in 2001. He serves as patron to the Bethesda Child Support Agency and Little Saints Orphanage in Lagos.

He has received several awards for entrepreneurship and leadership, including: Most Outstanding Entrepreneur Gold Meritorious Award (2005), Excellent Leadership Platinum Award (2006), NTA Award of Excellence (2010), Recognition Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership (2012), Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year (2016) and more.

Prince Donatus Okonkwo is married to Princess Rachael Okonkwo, a business development expert and strategic planner.