Obi Cubana: The Biography of the Anambra born and hospitality business icon by Kunle Olajuyin


The Biography of Obinna Iyiegbu

Obi Cubana is a well-known name in the Nigerian hospitality and entertainment industries. He started his hospitality and entertainment busines career by establishing a nightclub before launching the Cubana Group.

Obinna Iyiegbu's Cubana brand is one of the most ecstatic hospitality brands in Nigeria and African continent as a whole. The Cubana Group has business presence accross the length and breadth of Nigeria, from Imo state, to Lagos State and FCT Abuja among other locations. He has since emerge as one of the most affluent business man in Nigeria from the Igbo extraction. 

Origin of Obi Cubana

The Cubana Group boss hails from Abaji Village in Oba, a town in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, in South-Eastern part of Nigeria. He was born on 12th April, 1975 to Sir Alex Nnaemeka Iyiegbu who was Chief of Akaeze Oba of Abaji Village, and his mother, Ezinne Uche Iyiegbu, who died in 2020. Obinna has four siblings, (two brothers and two sisters). His two elder brothers are Chu and Ike Iyiegbu. While is elder sister's name is Adaeze Moore, his younger sister bears the name, Brinky. He is the fourth child of his parents. The Akaeze family is a well-known happy and big family.

His Education Background

He started his primary education in Oba, where he attended Central Primary School. He later proceeded to Dennis Memorial Grammer School in Onitsha where he obtained his West Africa Senior School Certificate (WASSCE). Thereafter, he gained admission into the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. Obinna Iyiegbu later started his business career in the hospitality and entertainment industries, because he believes that, "entertainment is life and a way of relieving people from day-to-day stress." 

His Business and Rise to Fame

It all started in the year 2006, when he established his first nightclub called Ibiza Club in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Three years later, he added to his feather when he launched the Cubana Group. The Cubana brand is famous today for providing quality service for nightlife lovers and fun-seekers accross Nigeria. Opium, which is the first branch, established in the heart of Owerri, in Imo State is one of the other branches located in Lagos and Enugu States, where the Cubana Group has restaurants, bars and Nightclubs. Obi Cubana has Pablo, Montana and Grind in different parts of Lagos State. The Grind is a rooftop restaurant and Lounge, while Montana and Pablo are dance and nightclubs that offers world-class cuisines and grills. 

Moreover, in Abuja, Obinna has three Cubana hotels: Grans Cubana Hotels, Caledonian Suites, and Cubana Signatures. Also, he has a restaurant called Puzzo and Crave Cubana, a nightclub in Wuse 2. Another of his dance and Nightclubs in Abuja is Hustle and Bustle at No 80, Aminu Kano Crescent in Wuse 2.

In Enugu State, he has established Gustavo Cubana, a dance and Night Club that offers world-class Cuisines and live band activities. He is presently working on having branches in other parts of the globe. Some of the projects he's working on include Cubana Dubai and Cubana Real Estate among others. 

One of those who has work with him is Paschal Okechukwu, aka, Cubana Chief Priest who was the General Manager of Opium Cubana in Owerri for many years before he parted ways with Cubana Group in September, 2020. He now owns his own dance and Nightclub in Owerri; Xhrine and De Angels Bar and Grill. 

Obi Cubana as a Philanthropist 

Obinna Iyiegbu's family owns the KIEK Foundation. An NGO that provides vulnerable children education, quality Healthcare and food supply. His target is to raise one thousand kids with quality education through the foundation. He has lifted many children off the street, through the KIEK Foundation and setting them on the path to access to quality livelihood. 

Recognitions and Awards 

Since his adventure into the entrepreneurial world, Obinna Iyiegbu has receieved several awards and recognitions. Among his numerous awards is the Honour he receieved from RightVille School, Leadership Awards in May, 2017 and also, in 2018 he receieved the Democracy Heroes Award for the Entrepreneur of the Year. Other awards received include;

- Young Entrepreneur of the Year, 2016

- Inspiring Personality Award by Ghana-Nigeria Achievers Award, 2017

- Icon Award from Nigeria Film Corporation Entertainment, 2017 and, 

- Northern Nigeria Peace Builder of the Year Award at the 2017 Northern Nigeria Peace Summit/Awards. 

He his happily married with 4 children. 



Post a Comment

0 Comments