Allen Onyema, a Nigerian lawyer turned entrepreneur, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest airline. Driven by a passion for job creation and national development, Onyema has become a notable figure in African aviation.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1964 in Mbosi, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Onyema grew up in Benin and Warri. He is the eldest of nine children of Michael and Helen Onyema. While his mother passed away in 1991 due to kidney failure, his father died in 2019.
Onyema attended St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Azia, and later enrolled at the University of Ibadan, graduating with a law degree in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.
Career Journey
Born in 1964 in Mbosi, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Onyema grew up in Benin and Warri. He is the eldest of nine children of Michael and Helen Onyema. While his mother passed away in 1991 due to kidney failure, his father died in 2019.
Onyema attended St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Azia, and later enrolled at the University of Ibadan, graduating with a law degree in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.
Onyema started his legal career in Lagos under the mentorship of Chief Vincent Amobi Nwizugbo. However, he soon ventured into real estate and import-export trade. By 1991, he had established a successful business portfolio and began engaging in philanthropy. Despite his generosity, he realized that offering jobs would be more impactful than giving handouts. Encouraged by his father, he began exploring job-creating ventures.
Founding Air Peace
Motivated to address unemployment, Onyema launched Air Peace in 2013. With guidance from aviation expert Engineer Gbolahan Abatan, he learned the ropes of the aviation industry. He purchased his first aircraft, a Dornier 328 jet, in Monaco. The acquisition was an emotional milestone, representing how far he had come.
Despite early challenges, including a delayed Air Operator’s Certificate in 2014, Air Peace persevered with support from Fidelity Bank. Today, the airline operates over 38 aircraft, including Boeing 737s, and serves both domestic and international routes.
Family and Personal Life
Allen Onyema is married to Alice Ojochide Onyema, the Vice Chairman of Air Peace. They met in Abuja and married in 1993. The couple has four children: Nnenna, Chinonso, Obinna, and Ugochukwu. His daughter, Nnenna, is a lawyer and management trainee at Air Peace and studied at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Onyema has named several of his aircraft after his family members and derives immense satisfaction from watching his planes take off and land, seeing it as a testament to his journey from humble beginnings.
Net Worth
According to estimates, Allen Onyema’s net worth is around $3 billion. His success story stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, proving that passion, determination, and integrity can lead to transformative change.
Post a Comment