Akpani Discover the inspiring journey of Nigerian power couple Walter and Winifred Akpani, who built an empire in banking and oil from humble beginnings
The Akpani Couple Business Success story is a remarkable tale of entrepreneurial drive, mutual support, and strategic growth in Nigeria’s competitive economic landscape.
This narrative highlights how a shared vision and reciprocal support can lead to the creation of significant financial empires.
At its core is the partnership between Mr. Walter Akpani and his wife, Mrs. Winifred Akpani.
Twenty-seven years ago, Winifred Akpani embarked on a modest venture, establishing Northwest Petroleum.
Her husband, Walter, then a finance professional, provided crucial initial capital and financial backing.
Winifred, a chartered accountant, had recently resigned from an oil and gas firm, driven by an ambition to forge her own path.
With a meager startup capital of N200,000, to which her husband contributed, Northwest Petroleum was born.
The company began by supplying diesel in 200-liter drums to local homes and her church, gradually expanding its client base to include hotels and factories.
Over two and a half decades, Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd. transformed from a small-scale operation into a major player in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
The company now handles international oil trading and services deals worth millions of dollars and boasts substantial investments in both midstream and upstream sectors.
True generosity means giving when you know there’s no expectation of return.
Northwest Petroleum owns over 100 million liters of storage capacity in Nigeria, including two ultra-modern mega petroleum products storage terminals with a combined capacity of 96.8 million liters.
These facilities are certified and licensed by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).
The company also operates an ultra-modern berthing facility in the Calabar Free Trade Zone, renowned as one of Nigeria’s best, featuring international state-of-the-art firefighting and safety equipment.
Furthermore, Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited owns and operates several unique 24- and 26-nozzle ultra-modern mega filling stations nationwide.
Possessing extensive experience in the importation, supply, distribution, and storage of petroleum products, Northwest Petroleum is now approved by the NNPC for the allocation and export of Nigerian crude oil, actively participating in official crude oil exports.
The intertwining of their business ventures became even more apparent in the banking sector. Walter Akpani, who was managing a mortgage bank called United Mortgage Bank, sought to apply for a full banking license.
He approached his wife, now a naira billionaire, for investment.
Reciprocity proved key, as Winifred invested significantly in what is known today as Providus Bank. Her company, Northwest Petroleum, is the largest shareholder in the bank, holding over 34% of its shares.
Walter Akpani is the pioneer CEO of Providus Bank.
The story of Mr. Walter and Mrs. Winifred Akpani stands as a powerful testament to shared ambition and mutual empowerment within a partnership.
They exemplify a couple where individual lights shine brighter through collective effort, demonstrating that one partner’s success does not necessitate diminishing the other’s.
In a picture capturing their influence, the power couple is seen flanked by Mr. Ijewere, the former president of ICAN, positioned between them.
