Sam Iwuajoku: The Billionaire King Of Private Jet Business In Nigeria

By Babajide Omojuwa, The Witness

For Sam Iwuajoku, the billionaire chairman and chief executive officer of Quits Aviation Services Limited, operators and hosts of ExecuJet facility in Nigeria, it has been a story of success after success.

According to the Russian ballet dancer, Anna Pavlova, “Success depends in a very large measure upon individual initiative and exertion, and cannot be achieved except by dint of hard work”. While many seem to believe that much of the success attained by the great and accomplished is merely opportunity meeting preparation, several of the great and accomplished themselves have shown how hard work can create opportunity where there is none. When talent is involved in the equation, it is like the fantastic juggernaut who is simply and literally unstoppable.

Mr. Iwuajoku’s business model sits on a portal striding in aviation, hospitality, steel and real estate on the very broadside. These business exposures have continued to create jobs and redistribute wealth in such a powerful way that the keen observer cannot help but marvel.

In the last couple of years, Iwuajoku has quietly built a reputation for himself in the aviation world, particularly with a special attention on private jet business. His many years of hard work has paid off and he has become the symbol of excellence in his line of business earning the title, ‘the king of private jet business in Nigeria.

Described as a quiet personality who is result-oriented, Iwuajoku has continued to reinvent his business to stay up-to-date with international standards. He has not got carried away with his business accomplishments.

No doubt, he is an inspiration and a role model to many. Arising from his modest beginnings, Sam Iwuajoku has ascended the pinnacle of an entrepreneur in Nigeria.

He has a Midas touch having run his conglomerate successfully for over five decades recording tremendous successes.

No doubt he is a businessman who has continued to make significant strides in his endeavours. Iwuajoku is admired and adored by many so much that his fame as an industrialist, billionaire businessman, philanthropist, a socialite has continued to grow and many have tagged him a rare gem.

Without a doubt, his act of generosity continues to aim for the sky. He loves giving back to his society without blinking an eyelid.

However, he loathes people singing his praise over such acts of humaneness. He is not your kind of billionaire who calls for publicity over donations he makes.

Iwuajoku has become an unputdownable book filled with exciting pages of riveting plots. Fabulously rich, extravagantly wealthy, he excites the minds and hearts of people. The glint in his eyes, the warmth of his countenance and the peace in his voice say it all.

Over the years, he has sailed untroubled in the entrepreneurial ocean, navigating numerous business boats with the grace and nous of a veteran captain. He has blossomed into a man of affluence and integrity.

Born in Nigeria on April 1956, he a obtained a degree in chemical engineering from the University of California.

Iwuajoku’s ExecuJet planes are second to none and this is why top Nigerians, the rich and famous in the society have continued to patronize its services.

With ExecuJet, customers choose when they want to leave, where they want to fly to, and even how quickly they want to get there.

ExecuJet’s facility located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa that exudes class, style and opulent splendour that differentiate men of means from boys rising. With state-of-the-art facilities to boot and an ambience of class, style, comfort, it is a run-away from the hustle and bustle of the main international terminal of the airport.

Unknown to many, ExecuJet, is a member of the Luxembourg-based Luxaviation Group, the second largest operator of corporate aircraft in the world. Luxaviation manages more than 235 aircraft and currently employs more than 1,300 employees worldwide.

ExecuJet also offers a diverse range of services including aircraft management for private and commercial registered aircraft, aircraft charter, aircraft maintenance, aircraft completions management and fixed base operations.

With operations in six regions – Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, embracing a workforce of more than 750 experienced staff, ExecuJet manages 133 business jets worldwide under the most stringent safety standards.

Its commercial fleet is operated under the regulatory umbrella of 7 regional civil aviation-issued air operating certificates (AOCs). ExecuJet operates 26 world-class FBO facilities worldwide. It has an authorised maintenance facilitiy in Lagos, Nigeria, certified to work on most business jets.

Given his interest and passion, his company, Quits Aviations Service was given the approval in December 2017 to operate as the only terminal for business aviation in Lagos. The approval was issued after meeting international standards for business aviation services.

In a recent chat with a national newspaper, Iwuajoku said Execujet provides excellent and special services for distinguished customers who use the private terminal

“We provide unparalleled service here in a highly secure environment and the kind of service provided here is similar to what you obtain in VIP and private jet terminals all over the world.

“Global leaders who have visited this facility have commended the service provided by Execujet. We offer exotic service to customers and you have to note that here is a free trade zone with high security apparatus,” Iwuajoku said.

The business mogul said his private terminal is one of the best in Africa, only compared with similar facility in South Africa and it has Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) certification for business jets. It is also registered with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other Civil Aviation Authorities in the world.

In November 2018, Iwuajoku added a stylish 5-star Legend Hotel Lagos Airport, a Curio Collection by Hilton, to the opulent terminal to offer world-class check-ins with its extensive amenities and facilities. The 54-room hotel, situated within the precinct of the Lagos International Airport, is the first of its kind offering exclusive services to billionaire flyers.

According to Forbes, Iwuajoku made his fortune from the importation of rice and steel rods from his company, Steelman Nigeria Limited, which he has run for over 40 years, before he ventured into aviation services. He is worth over $1 billion.