In Nigeria, Allen Ifechukwu Onyema is a successful businessman, lawyer, and well-known philanthropist.
He was born in 1964 in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and later relocated to the west to pursue his passion.
He founded Air Peace and serves as Chairman of the Nigerian Foundation For Ethnic Harmony (FEHN). In 2019, he made headlines when he offered to fly Nigerians to South Africa during the Xenophobia attacks.
| Full Name: | Allen Ifechukwu Onyema |
| Born: | 28 March 1964 (age 25 years old) |
| Birth Place: | Mbosi |
| State Of Origin: | Anambra State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Wife • Spouse: | Alice Ojochide Onyema |
| Occupation: | Entrepreneur • Lawyer |
| Net Worth: | $300,000,000-$500,000,000 |
Early Life
Allen Onyema was born in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region on March 28, 1964.
He is from the Igbo-speaking region of the country, in a town called Mbosi in Anambra State’s Ihiala Local Government Area.
He was raised alongside his eight brothers and sisters and was also the firstborn.
Allen Onyema’s mother died of kidney failure in 1991. He spent his formative years in the Benin-Warri axis before moving west for education and greener pastures.
Education
Allen Onyema received his primary education before enrolling in St. Anthony’s Secondary School in Azia and Urhobo College in Effurun. He was also a student at Ughelli’s Government College.
After graduating from Government College with a Higher School Certificate in 1984, he was admitted directly to the University of Ibadan to study law. He enrolled in the Nigerian Law School three years later and was admitted to the bar a year later.
Additionally, he holds a University of Rhode Island level-three certification in nonviolence education.
Career
After completing his undergraduate studies, Allen Onyema relocated to Lagos in 1990. His parents, on the other hand, were never supportive of his decision to travel west, while his uncle, Capt. J.O.W. Onyema, a master marina, desired that he work for Shell, an oil and gas company.
In his early years as a lawyer, he squatted in Oshodi, Lagos State, and commuted to Lagos Island via rail. He eventually met late Chief Vincent Amobi Nwizugbo, who hired him to work at his Martins Street, Lagos Island, chambers.
Allen Onyema was rewarded with a monthly salary of N500 after winning his first case in court.
A few years later, he entered the real estate business and prospered to the point where he decided to abandon several of his other ventures, including the law firm where he was highly regarded.
Philanthropism
Allen Onyema traveled to Zaria with nine other students during his time at the University of Ibadan to resolve a religious and ethnic riot.
He later founded the Eminent Friends’ Group with the express purpose of promoting unity among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities and eradicating violence in the country.
This set the stage for a series of subsequent humanitarian actions taken by Allen Onyema.
Currently known as the Foundation For Ethnic Harmony In Nigeria (FEHN), the organization is led by Allen Onyema.
Air Peace Airline Services
Allen Onyema founded Air Peace in 2013, following his resignation from a law firm and the establishment of his own firm and import trading company, Continental Business Links Ltd.
Allen Onyema was financially secure in the years preceding the airline’s establishment.
He eventually purchased planes and hired qualified personnel to run Air Peace, which is now one of Nigeria’s most successful airlines.
Allen Onyema recently made headlines after offering to send an airplane to transport Nigerians to South Africa during the months-long Xenophobia attacks.
Private Life
Allen Onyema married his betrothed in 1993, when he was 25 years old. His wife is from Kogi State’s Igala-speaking region. Alice Ojochide Onyema is Allen Onyema’s wife.
Their union bears three sons and a daughter.
