Who Is Obi Cubana? – Biography and Early Life of The Lagos Big Boy

Obi Cubana (Real Name: Obinna Iyiegbu, born April 12th, 1975) is a Nigerian entrepreneur and businessman best known as the Chief Executive Officer of Cubana Group.

Obi Cubana has become a well-known name in the Nigerian hospitality and entertainment industries. He started his career by establishing a nightclub before launching the Cubana Group. Today, the innovative and luxurious hospitality brand is considered one of the most palatial ecstatic hospitality brands in the African continent. The savvy businessman has, over the years, launched many Cubana brands across Nigeria and has plans of spreading his tentacles across the borders of the country.

Working as an entertainer, Obi has been making impressive waves in the Nigerian entertainment industry. He is close friends with A-list Nigerian music artists who often perform at his clubs and hotels. Following his successful efforts in the hospitality industry and entertainment industry, Obi Cubana has emerged as one of the most affluent businessmen in Nigeria.

Obi Cubana's Biography Summary

  • Full Name: Obinna Iyiegbu
  • Nickname: Obi Cubana
  • State of Origin: Anambra State
  • Ethnicity: Igbo
  • Date of Birth: April 12th, 1975
  • Age: 49 Years Old
  • Education: University of Nigeria Nsukka (Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science)
  • Occupation/Title: CEO Cubana Group and Ibiza Club
  • Marital Status: Married
  • Spouse: Ebele Iyiegbu (m. 2008)
  • Children: 4

Obi Cubana Is From Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria

The chief executive officer of the Cubana Group is a native of Aboji village in Oba, a town in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State located in South-Eastern Nigeria. His father was Sir Alex Nnaemeka Iyiegbu (Chief Akaeze Oba of Aboji Village), and his mother, Ezinne Uche Iyiegbu, kicked the bucket in December 2020, after celebrating her 78th birthday in July 2020. She is survived by five children, including Obi Cubana, three daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, and twenty-one grandchildren.

Obi Cubana has four siblings; two elder brothers named Chu and Ike Iyiegbu. His elder sister is Adaeze Moore, while his younger sister is called Binky. What his siblings do for a living is still under wraps. However, the entrepreneur seems to share a very close bond with them, as he often celebrates them on social media platforms during their birthdays. The Akaeze Oba family is well-known as one big happy family.

The 49-Year Old Entrepreneur is a Graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka

The eminent businessman and philanthropist was born on April 12th, 1975, and is currently 49 years old. He grew up in Oba, where he attended Central Primary School. He then moved to Onitsha, and there, he acquired his West Africa Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) from Dennis Memorial Grammar School. Following his high school graduation, Obi Cubana gained admission into one of the prestigious federal universities in Nigeria, the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), in 1998.

He graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Afterward, he kickstarted his business career in the hospitality and entertainment industries as he feels the need to get people entertained daily. According to Cubana, entertainment is life and a way of relieving people from day-to-day stress.

A Look at Obi Cubana’s Business Ventures And Rise to Fame

In 2006, Obi Cubana launched his first nightclub known as Ibiza Club in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He then cemented his status as the king of the nightclub by establishing the Cubana Group three years later. Today, the hospitality brand is known for providing all-around entertainment to nightlife lovers and fun-seekers. The group opened its first branch called Opium by Cubana in Owerri, Imo State capital, before spreading across other states in Nigeria, including Lagos, Enugu, and Abuja, where the conglomerate currently has restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

Opium, a rocking nightclub situated at World Bank Road in Owerri, has world-famous DJs, a high-end restaurant, and a bush bar. It also offers live band activities with world-class cuisine. Obi Cubana has brought renowned music artists, including Cardi B and Davido, to perform at the nightclub. Also, in Lagos State, the Cubana Group established Pablo by Cubana, Montana by Cubana, and The Grind by Cubana. While the latter is a rooftop restaurant and lounge, Montana and Pablo are dance and nightclubs that offer world-class cuisines and grills.

Also dominating in Abuja, Obi Cubana has established a high-end restaurant called Puzzo by Cubana and Crave Cubana, a dance & nightclub in Wuse 2. Another of his dance and nightclub, Hustle & Bustle, is located at No. 80 Aminu Kano Crescent in Wuse 2. Obi also launched three Cubana hotels in Abuja, namely Grand Cubana Hotels, Caledonian Suites, and Cubana Signature. In Enugu State, his dance and nightclub, Gustavo, is situated at Independence Layout. Like his other nightclubs, Gustavo also offers world-class cuisines and live band activities. Additionally, the Cubana Group chairman has plans to establish new branches in different parts of the world.

He is currently working on Cubana Dubai and Cubana Real Estate. Trusted hands have managed the group’s establishments in Nigeria. Some of its managers include Okeoma David Igbokwe (general manager of Ibiza by Cubana) and Paul Nti (general manager of Crave by Cubana). Paschal Okechukwu (aka Cubana Chief Priest) was the general manager of Opium by Cubana in Owerri for many years before he parted ways with the brand in September 2020. He now owns his own dance and nightclub, Xhrine, and De Angels Bar and Grill in Owerri.

List of Obi Cubana’s Establishments under The Cubana Group

  • Opium By Cubana, Owerri
  • The Grind By Cubana, Lagos
  • Montana By Cubana, Lagos
  • Pablo By Cubana, Lagos
  • Cubana Signature, Abuja
  • Puzzo By Cubana, Abuja
  • Caledonian Suites, Abuja
  • Crave By Cubana, Abuja
  • Hustle and Bustle, Abuja
  • Grand Cubana Hotels, Abuja
  • Cubana Gustavo, Enugu

Obi is Also a Renowned Philanthropist

Obi Cubana has garnered attention for his benevolent deeds. His family owns the KIEK Foundation, which provides the less privileged kids with quality healthcare, education, and an adequate food supply. He aims to train more than 1,000 children in school through his foundation. He hinted that the major aim of the KIEK Foundation is to eradicate poverty through the provision of quality education to kids that have been out of school for diverse reasons. In the past years, Obinna Iyiegbu has pulled many children off the street, providing them with a sound education, which sets them on the path to get the best of life.

The Billionaire’s Entrepreneurial Exploits Have Garnered Him Multiple Awards

Obi Cubana
(Image Source)

Since the establishment of the Cubana Group in 2009, the luxury hospitality brand has initiated huge development in the nation’s hospitality sector. Thus, Obi Cubana and his brand have been recognized with numerous accolades. He was honored by the RightVille School with a Special Leadership Award in May 2017. He also received Democracy Heroes Award for Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018.

Here’s a list of his awards and honours:

  • Young Entrepreneur of the Year, 2016.
  • Inspiring Personality Award by Ghana-Nigeria Achievers Awards in 2017.
  • Icon Award from the Nigeria Film Corporation Entertainment, 2017.
  • Northern Nigeria Peace Builder of the Year Award at the 2017 Northern Nigeria Peace Summit/Award.
  • Special Leadership Award from The RightVille School in 2017.
  • Democracy Entrepreneur of the Year at the Democracy Heroes Awards in 2018.

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