Chief Ikenna Okafor, the dynamic CEO of Keves Global Leasing Limited, has unveiled an ambitious vision to position Nigeria as one of Africa's premier golfing destinations. His remarkable journey into the world of golf began unexpectedly during the COVID-19 pandemic, transforming from a tennis enthusiast to one of Nigeria's most prominent golf sponsors.
From Tennis Courts to Golf Greens
Before the global health crisis, Okafor's primary sporting passion was tennis. When lockdowns forced everyone indoors, he continued playing tennis with friends at the Army Barracks courts. A friend's persistent invitation to try golf initially met with resistance, as Okafor perceived golf as a sport for elderly retirees.
"I declined initially because I saw it as a sport for old men," Okafor recalled. "When he insisted, I decided to give it a try. That first experience completely changed my perspective - after nearly four-and-a-half hours on the course, my speedometer showed over 70,000 steps. I was sweating, tired, and realized this game wasn't as simple as I thought."
The Rise of CIO Golf Classic
That transformative experience inspired Okafor to sponsor golf through a birthday competition that evolved into the prestigious CIO Golf Classic. What began as a modest tournament has grown into a major sporting event attracting both amateur and professional players from across Africa.
The tournament's growth has been remarkable: players from over 14 countries now participate in each edition, while the prize money has skyrocketed from N20 million to the current N75 million ($50,000). The upcoming November 2026 edition will feature an increased purse of $70,000 (N100 million).
Okafor's long-term ambition is even more impressive: he aims to elevate the prize purse to $1 million within ten years, positioning the CIO Classic as a must-attend tournament for Africa's best players and international competitors.
"We want to grow the competition into a destination of choice for the best players," Okafor emphasized. "That's why we're part of the Safari Tour."
Golf's Economic Potential for Nigeria
Beyond the tournament itself, Okafor sees enormous economic potential in developing Nigeria's golf industry. He highlighted that each additional player in his tournament receives approximately N200,000 worth of entertainment, accommodation, feeding, and other benefits, creating substantial economic ripple effects.
"Golf is an employer of labour, especially if you start playing early as a professional," Okafor explained. "A well-run golf course can bring in significant revenue. Unlike other sports where athletes retire between 35-40, golfers can continue playing indefinitely."
Okafor pointed to the underdeveloped state of Nigeria's golf industry, noting that Nigerians are yet to recognize the substantial investment potential in golf tourism. He advocated following the examples of Kenya and South Africa, which have successfully leveraged golf for tourism development.
"If we develop good golf courses in every state across all zones, the volume of business and money generated would be amazing," Okafor stated. "Imagine a golfer winning $2-3 million annually - the economic impact on their home region is enormous."
He detailed the comprehensive employment opportunities created by golf courses, including course workers, maintenance staff, bar and kitchen personnel, and associated hotel operations. "There's always a booming business environment wherever a golf course is located," Okafor added.
Philanthropic Philosophy and Multi-Sport Involvement
Okafor's commitment extends beyond golf into broader philanthropy and sports development. Recently awarded the Papal Knighthood of Saint Sylvester in 2017 for his contributions, he follows a simple but powerful giving philosophy.
"My joy comes from giving," Okafor shared. "As a staunch Catholic, I believe if I have two caps, I should give one to another person since I can't wear both simultaneously. We try to give generously, especially to our host communities in Rivers State, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Unlike some philanthropists who establish foundations after accumulating wealth, Okafor believes in giving concurrently with wealth creation. "My cardinal principle is that whatever we have, we're only custodians, not owners. I always pray to be a helping hand to someone new every day."
His sporting involvement is equally diverse, with active roles in tennis, football, swimming, table tennis, and polo. "Our first love is tennis," Okafor noted. "We've organized the only swimming competition in Rivers State in eight or nine years at my house. We've conducted secondary school table tennis competitions annually for seven years and sponsor the Rivers State amateur football league."
Through his multifaceted approach combining sports development, economic vision, and philanthropic commitment, Okafor is positioning Nigeria to become a significant player in Africa's growing golf tourism industry while creating lasting social impact.
