Early Life
From the great town of Oba, in Idemili South Local Government area of Anambra State, Nigeria, emerged an Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and People Developer- Obinna Tochuukwu Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana), Chairman of Cubana Group, who was born on Saturday, the 12th day of April, 1975 into a family of scholars. His father, Chief Sir Alex Iyiegbu (Late), was a former Principal while his mother Mrs. Ezinne Uche Iyiegbu (late), was a Headmistress.
He attended Central Primary School, Oba, Anambra State, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. From there, he proceeded to Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha to acquire his West Africa Secondary School Certificate. Obi Cubana graduated with a Second Class Honours; Upper division from the department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Early Career
From 1999-2000, he served his country Nigeria under the compulsory One-year National Youth Service Scheme. He was among the first set of corpers to serve in the National Assembly. In 2001, Obi started his entrepreneurship journey from the streets of Abuja as a real estate agent. He continued hustling until he ran into his schoolmate, Nwafor Orizu Onwa (NOO), who had a parcel of garden in Area 8, Abuja. Together, they opened NOO Garden, Abuja, a blend of African and Intercontinental.
Despite its challenges, NOO GARDEN was gradually becoming a success story until the government put a ban on gardens in Abuja and demolished it. Noo travelled abroad to further his education, while ObiCubana went on to open IBIZA Night Club, Area 11, Garki in 2006 with his new partners Maxwell and Ben. Ibiza was a hit.
Cubana Launch
In 2009, he created CUBANA, Wuse II, Abuja which became a big bang following a big party from day one, until insurgency struck, hitting night life and social gatherings below the belt. Like the water of life that keeps moving and never relents, Obi Cubana moved to Port Hacourt and together with his partners, opened CUBANA LOUNGE, Port Harcourt. However, he never lost sight of Abuja.
From Port Harcourt, he moved on to open OPIUM Cubana Owerri. While this was going on, he opened CALEDONIA SUITES in Abuja. A month later, CUBANA SUITES was birthed.
Nightlife King
In 2012, he established Liquor Empire Limited, Abuja. Thereafter, built Grand Cubana Hotel, Jabi, Abuja in 2016. The King of nightlife progressed to Lagos to establish PABLO Cubana in 2017 which became like a national explosion. In 2018, he created Cubana Signature, Jabi, Abuja. A year later, MONTANA by Cubana, Ikeja, Lagos was born. After two days, GUSTAVO Cubana in Enugu came into being. Then, he came back to Abuja in February 2021 to create HUSTLE and BUSTLE with his partners – Uyi and Ayo. He is planning on establishing CUBANA LONDON.
Beyond hospitality, Obi Cubana also has interests in real estate. He is the owner of Casa Cubana Real estate Limited in Abuja, Lagos and will soon be in the eastern part of Nigeria.
Diversification
In 2022, his drive for entrepreneurship led him to a factory, where he birthed Odogwu bitters, a globally celebrated alcoholic drink, which has now become the most luxurious king of all bitters.
His partnership also cuts across famous brands like Laurent-Perrier, a top-of-the-mind brand for champagne lovers; Sageitude Wines, makers of Varna and Alexander the Great and producers of the best Bulgarian wines and Spirits.
amongst others, he is proficient in Leadership, Entrepreneurship, business Development, Problem Solving, Negotiation, Management, and Portfolio diversification.
Multi Award winner
He has won several awards like Outstanding Public Servant, Man of the Year, Achievers award, Personality Icon of the year, Leadership Excellence Award, Democracy Entrepreneur of the year. Inspiring Personality Award, Peace Builder of the year, as Icon Award, and Young Entrepreneur of the year.
When he is not attending to business or receiving awards, Obi Cubana is attending to family. HE HOLDS HIS FAMILY IN HIGH ESTEEM. He is married to his permanent girlfriend of 18 years, Ebele Iyiegbu, aka Lush Eby, a lawyer by profession and CEO, Kiek Foundation. Together, they are blessed with five children, four biological and I adopted, whom at a tender age are already CEOs of their own businesses. As a family, they all love to Chill and Grill.
