Smith Ezenagu
Chairman, Esso Group
Nigerian entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist
Raising industry giants, transforming nations. Dr. Smith Ezenagu is not just building businesses; he’s shaping the future of Africa through purpose-driven leadership and unstoppable influence
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Who is smith ezenagu?
Dr. Smith Ezenagu is a distinguished business executive, visionary entrepreneur, and transformational leader with over 17 years of experience driving growth, innovation, and impact across multiple industries. As Chairman of Esso Group, a $100 million conglomerate with diverse business expressions and interests in education, real estate, finance, and media,
Dr. Smith has led the organization to become a powerhouse of influence and excellence across Africa.
A highly sought-after startup coach and marketplace ambassador, Dr. Smith has mentored over 200 small business founders, equipping them with the tools and mindset to build successful, sustainable ventures. As a prolific author, he has published three best-selling books on leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth that have become essential reading for emerging and established leaders alike.
Dr. Smith is the founder of The Influence Nation (T.I.N.), a marketplace ministry designed to activate and equip industry giants across the 7 Mountains of Influence, and provide both spiritual and strategic mentorship to marketplace leaders empowering them to transform their industries and represent God with excellence at the highest levels.
He is also the convener of the Realtors Millionaire Summit, Nigeria’s largest real estate event, and the publisher of Nigeria’s most-read small business newsletter called “Dear Founders”, which provides insights to a fast-growing audience of entrepreneurs and leaders.
Despite his demanding schedule, Dr. Smith is a happy family man who deeply values time with his loved ones. His ability to balance global influence with grounded, intentional family life has inspired many to redefine the true meaning of success.
As a life coach, Dr. Smith helps individuals clarify their goals, overcome obstacles, and unlock their full potential, empowering them to live with purpose, excellence, and impact.
His mission is clear, to empower individuals to influence culture, transform industries, and create enduring impact through excellence, integrity, and vision.
Dr. Smith Ezenagu shines as a beacon of visionary leadership across the African continent and beyond.
ESSOBIS: BUILDING PURPOSEFUL PATHWAYS IN REAL ESTATE, BUSINESS, AND INVESTMENT
The Esso Business & Investment Summit (ESSOBIS) is a platform that brings together voices and minds across real estate, small business, and finance. The purpose is to create a space where entrepreneurs, investors, and enthusiasts can gain clarity, deepen their capacity, and build the confidence to thrive in today’s evolving economy.
At ESSOBIS, every session and conversation is anchored in one question, how do we build enterprises, investments, and innovations that last?
In real estate, the focus is on understanding housing and infrastructure not only as assets, but as tools for economic stability and generational wealth. For small business owners and startups, ESSOBIS provides strategies for scaling, financing, and positioning in competitive markets. And for the wider world of finance and investment, it is about unlocking sustainable models, disciplined wealth-building, and practical pathways to financial freedom.
What makes ESSOBIS unique is its vision of integration. Too often, these three worlds, real estate, business, and finance are discussed in isolation. Yet in reality, they are deeply connected. ESSOBIS is where those connections are made visible, actionable, and profitable.
This summit creates a community of thinkers, builders, and investors committed to creating enterprises that go beyond profit, to making a real impact in the society. That vision is what will continue to drive ESSOBIS into the future.
ROME BUSINESS SCHOOL: TURNING INTERVIEWS INTO LEADERSHIP SHOWCASES
At the Rome Business School’s Career Acceleration Workshop, Dr. Smith Ezenagu presented a three-step framework designed to help professionals transform panel interviews into platforms of leadership and influence. The aim was not simply to prepare participants for questions, but to equip them with a method of communication that projects clarity, conviction, and purpose.
The formula he introduced, Hook, Highlight, Result provides a structured pathway for telling stories that resonate.
By beginning with a vivid snapshot of a challenge, candidates draw their audience into the reality of the problem at hand. From there, the focus shifts to the decisive action taken, whether that means convening cross-functional teams, reallocating resources, or instituting systems to clear roadblocks. The final step is to reveal the outcome in measurable terms, demonstrating both impact and transferable value to the organization.
What distinguishes this approach is its emphasis on transformation. An interview is reframed from being a routine exchange into a leadership showcase. Candidates are encouraged to go beyond listing tasks or achievements, and instead connect their story to broader themes of problem-solving, resilience, and vision.
By adopting this framework, professionals can ensure that every interview becomes an opportunity to communicate values, demonstrate purpose, and leave an impression that extends beyond the room.
This contribution to the Career Acceleration Workshop reflects Dr. Smith Ezenagu’s wider commitment to equipping individuals not only with technical skills, but also with the confidence and clarity to lead in the spaces they enter.
Real Estate Portfolio Management Course
The Real Estate Portfolio Management Course is an executive learning event curated by Dr. Smith Ezenagu to redefine what it means to be a real estate consultant in today’s evolving market.
This most recent edition brought together a carefully selected group of consultants, each chosen for their track record, commitment, and active engagement within the Esso ecosystem.
Over the course of the program, participants were immersed in sessions designed to elevate them from transactional agents to trusted portfolio managers. They gained clarity on:
- Market Trends & Analysis: Understanding cycles, data, and economic shifts that drive real estate decisions.
- Investor Risk Profiling: Learning how to structure opportunities based on client psychology and wealth goals.
- Negotiation Mastery: Applying Dr. Smith’s proven frameworks through real-world simulations.
- Brand Positioning & Team Expansion: Equipping consultants to scale into reputable firms capable of managing significant investor trust.
Why It Stands Out
Unlike traditional workshops, it is built like a summit-style course, blending masterclasses, interactive clinics, and peer-driven exchanges. This mix ensures that every participant leaves with both the knowledge and the confidence to immediately implement new strategies in their business.
The Bigger Picture
This is a career-defining event. It signals a consultant’s readiness to move from chasing commissions to building legacy wealth for themselves and their clients.
Each edition raises the bar, and this last one was no different, producing consultants who are now actively restructuring investor portfolios, closing high-value deals, and positioning themselves as thought leaders in their markets.
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