A beacon of leadership rises right in the pulsing heart of Africa, where ambition meets opportunity. A luminous figure stands tall, guiding the continent toward economic prosperity. His name is Okechukwu Benedict Oramah, a professor and proud alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, whose extraordinary ascent from the vibrant campus of Great Ife to the presidency of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) embodies the transformative power of education, vision, and unalloyed resolve.  This is not merely the story of one man’s triumph—it is a celebration of OAU’s indelible mark on leadership, a legacy that continues to shape Nigeria, Africa, and the world.

Born in the serene town of Ahoada, Rivers State, Nigeria, Professor Oramah’s journey began with a spark of intellectual curiosity. His early academic pursuit led him elsewhere for a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics.  But it was at the Great Ife Campus that his destiny took shape. As the saying goes, ‘behind every great leader lies a foundation’ -for Professor Oramah, that bedrock is OAU. Founded on June 8, 1961, Great Ife has long been a crucible for brilliance, producing trailblazers who leave their mark on history. From human rights titan Femi Falana to Fatou Bensouda, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, OAU’s alumni roster reads like a who’s who of global influence.

Professor Oramah’s story fits seamlessly into this tapestry, a shining example of how the University’s blend of academic rigor and intellectual freedom prepares its graduates to lead. Between 1987 and 1991, he immersed himself in the University’s rigorous academic environment, securing both a Master’s and a Doctorate in Agricultural Economics. At OAU, amid its sprawling hills and vibrant culture of social responsibility, Oramah’s intellect sharpened, and his leadership potential blossomed. Great Ife did not just educate him—it transformed him into a visionary leader ready to conquer global challenges.

Professor Oramah’s career is a masterclass in determination and innovation. In 1994, he stepped into Afreximbank as a Chief Analyst, a role that marked the beginning of an illustrious climb. By 2007, he was Senior Director of Planning and Business Development; a year later, he became Executive Vice- President. Then, in 2015, the pinnacle: he was appointed President and Chairman of the Board. Under his stewardship, Afreximbank has soared to unprecedented heights. When he took the helm, the bank’s assets stood at approximately US$6 billion. By December 2023, that figure had ballooned to a staggering US$37.3 billion—a reflection of his strategic brilliance. But numbers only tell part of the story.

Oramah’s leadership has been a catalyst for transformative change across Africa. He has championed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), a groundbreaking pact set to redefine the continent’s economic landscape. His brainchildren—the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the Trade Information Platform—have revolutionized cross-border trade, making it faster, smarter, and more accessible. These innovations are not just tools; they are lifelines for African businesses, breathing life into the dream of a unified, prosperous continent. The world has taken notice.

Professor Oramah’s mantle is adorned with accolades: the 2024 Mohammed S. Barkindo Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2024 Financial Leadership Award from the Africa Prosperity Network, and the 2023 Forbes Africa Person of the Year title. Twice named African Banker of the Year (2017 and 2022) by African Bankers’ Magazine, he has also been a fixture on New African Magazine and Jeune Afrique’s lists of the 100 most influential Africans since 2017. These honors reflect a truth Africa knows well: Oramah is a giant among leaders.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire puts it eloquently: “Professor Oramah’s rise to the presidency of Afreximbank is proof of the intellectual rigor and leadership ethos we instil at OAU. His achievements reflect our university’s enduring legacy and commitment to producing leaders who shape Africa’s destiny, fulfilling the vision of our founders.

We celebrate him as a fantastic advertisement of Great Ife’s products, inspiring future generations to dream and achieve.” These words resonate deeply, highlighting OAU’s role as a launchpad for greatness. As OAU hit its 64th anniversary in 2025, it stands prouder than ever, with alumni like Professor Oramah lighting the way. His journey—from the lecture halls of Great Ife to the helm of Afreximbank—is a clarion call to dreamers everywhere: greatness begins with a solid foundation, and OAU provides just that.

More than a personal victory, Oramah’s story is a beacon of hope for Africa—a promise that with vision, education, and courage, the continent’s future can shine brighter than ever before. In the chronicles of African progress, Professor Okechukwu Benedict Oramah will be etched in golden ink, sourced from the depth of the soil of OAU and stretching across borders to uplift a continent.

His legacy, like Great Ife’s, is one of inspiration, proving that the path to prosperity is paved by those bold enough to walk it.