Despite systemic barriers and decades of discrimination, some women have consistently shattered glass ceilings—leading innovation, championing business excellence, and inspiring future generations. Among them is Dr. Stella Chinyelu Okoli, a pharmacist-turned-entrepreneur whose unwavering commitment to improving lives has positioned her as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.
At 81, many would expect the Nnewi-born business mogul to slow down and enjoy the fruits of her nearly 50-year journey building the Emzor Group into a multi-billion-naira conglomerate. Instead, Dr. Okoli remains unstoppable, forging ahead with ambitious industrial projects. Her latest undertaking is a monumental ₦35 billion Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturing facility, set to open in Sagamu, Ogun State—a landmark investment poised to boost Nigeria’s self-reliance in pharmaceutical production and improve access to essential medicines.
