Chief Sir Joseph Ebere Ezeokafor Snr., the founder and chairman of the Jezco Group, is the father of Nigerian socialite Jowizaza. His net worth is widely reported online at about $2 billion, though the figure has not been independently verified. Ezeokafor built his fortune primarily through the oil and gas business, establishing Jezco Oil and Lubricants in 1980 and expanding into petroleum marketing, lubricants, and plastics manufacturing over more than four decades.
Early Life and Family Roots
Chief Ezeokafor was born on April 30, 1952, in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. He holds the traditional title Nwachinemelu Ekwulobia. While his son, Joseph Ezeokafor Jr. (Jowi Zaza), is a familiar face on social media, the elder Ezeokafor has largely stayed out of the spotlight, focusing on his businesses, philanthropy, and community work.
He is married to Lady Veronica Ezeokafor, and they have seven children: two sons, Jowi Zaza and Emeka, and five daughters, including Ada and Ifeoma Ezeokafor. His public profile has been shaped by his business achievements and his contributions to the Catholic Church and his hometown.
The Rise of Jezco Oil and Diversification
Ezeokafor established Jezco Oil and Lubricants in 1980 and secured its operational licence as an independent petroleum marketer and oil service company in the early 1980s. The business initially operated in Northern Nigeria, primarily around Adamawa State, before expanding southward during a period of insecurity in the region. Over four decades, Jezco grew from simple fuel distribution into a major network of retail filling stations, petroleum bulk storage, cooking gas plants, and specialised industrial lubricant production.
His wealth did not come from petroleum alone. Ezeokafor expanded into plastic manufacturing and industrial packaging through Jezco Plastics. His businesses also supply petrol, kerosene, diesel, industrial gas, and medical oxygen. This diversification has made his business interests broader than the traditional oil marketing company. In 2025, The Sun honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to industrial growth, wealth creation, and economic development in Nigeria.
Faith, Philanthropy, and Community Ties
Ezeokafor is a devout Catholic. While building his business interests in northern Nigeria, he reportedly served as chairman of the Catholic Charismatic Prayer Movement in Yola, Adamawa State. He donated land in Damilu, Adamawa State, towards a Catholic church and supported the construction of the church and a residence for priests. He also reportedly donated land for a primary school, which was handed over to the Bishop of Yola Diocese. His support for Catholic causes has also been linked to his role as a patron of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), led by Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka.
His connection to Ekwulobia remains strong. He was born there in 1952 and began his education at St Joseph Catholic Primary School. He has supported community projects and received public recognition. Following reports of his recent abduction, the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia, His Royal Majesty Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the town's historic annual New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji). The palace announced that the community could not host celebrations while one of its most prominent benefactors remained in captivity.
Net Worth and Legacy in Education and Sports
Several Nigerian websites estimate Joseph Ezeokafor Snr.'s net worth at about $2 billion, but that figure has not been independently verified through a Forbes profile, audited accounts, or another authoritative public financial disclosure. Less disputed is the scale and longevity of his business career, with Jezco operating for more than 40 years in the downstream oil and manufacturing sectors.
Ezeokafor was one of the early supporters who helped provide financial backing for Madonna University, with campuses in Elele, Rivers State, and Okija, Anambra State. He is also credited with funding and constructing a stadium for St Peter's University in Achina/Amaechi, Anambra State. His educational background was considerably more modest, but he later earned an honorary doctorate in Business Administration, according to biographical accounts. He was officially decorated as a Patron of Rangers International FC when the club's leadership visited his country home to present their league trophy, honouring his continued financial backing for sports development and youth scouting in Anambra State.
In August 2026, the Anambra-born businessman was reportedly abducted after leaving his home for a prayer ground in Awka. His abductors have since reportedly increased their ransom demand from ₦700 million to ₦1.5 billion. Today, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor's name is connected to two very different things: the flashy lifestyle that made his son famous and the quieter, decades-long business journey that helped create the wealth behind the family name. At its core, his story is the story of an entrepreneur who started Jezco in 1980 and spent more than 40 years building a business around Nigeria's oil and gas industry.
