Obi Cubana
{{Short description|Nigerian businessman (born 1975)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Obi Cubana
| birth_name = Obinna Iyiegbu
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|12 April 1975}}
| birth_place = Idemili South, Anambra State, Nigeria
| alma_mater = University of Nigeria, Nsukka
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
- Businessman
- entertainer}}
| spouse = Ebele Iyiegbu
| children = 5 (1 adopted)
}}
Obinna "Obi" Iyiegbu (born 12 April 1975; {{Pronunciation|Ig-Obinna_"Obi"_Iyiegbu.ogg}}), best known as Obi Cubana, is a Nigerian businessman, socialite, entertainer and philanthropist.{{Cite web|title=Obinna Iyiegbu|url=https://biography.igbopeople.org/biography/obi-cubana/|website=Igbo People Biography|access-date=7 May 2025|publisher=IgboPeople.org|language=en}} He currently chairs the Cubana Group.{{cite press release|url=https://guardian.ng/features/food-and-drinks/firm-partners-cubana-group-to-boost-products-brand/|title=Firm partners Cubana Group to boost products brand|first=Ngozi|last=Egenuka|date=October 28, 2021|via=The Guardian|access-date=January 14, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Chima |first=Naomi |date=2025-04-13 |title=50 for 50: Obi Cubana hosts star-studded birthday extravaganza |url=https://punchng.com/50-for-50-obi-cubana-hosts-star-studded-birthday-extravaganza/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}
Early life and education
Iyiegbu was born on 12 April 1975 in Anambra State and his mother is Ezinne Iyiegbu.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-17|title=Why everyone is talking about Obi Cubana's mum's burial|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/474230-why-everyone-is-talking-about-obi-cubanas-mums-burial.html|access-date=2021-07-19|language=en-GB|publisher=Premium Times|first=Jayne|last=Augoye}} He is from Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.{{Cite news|title=Interesting reasons why Nigerians dey tok about Obi Cubana mama burial|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-57872163|access-date=2021-07-19}}{{Cite web |date=2021-07-17|title=Abba Kyari : Why I attended Obi Cubana mother's burial|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/07/17/abba-kyari-why-i-attended-obi-cubana-mothers-burial/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=P.M. News|first=Muhamin|last=Olowoporoku|language=en-US}} He is married to Ebele Iyiegbu (born 26 February 1979), and they are blessed with five sons.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-20 |title=Obinna Iyiegbu: Obi Cubana biography and life |url=https://www.clacified.com/entertainment/16/obinna-iyiegbu-obi-cubana-biography-and-life |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Clacified |language=en}}
File:Whitemoney, angel, obi cubana.jpg
His early schooling was at Central Primary School before attending Dennis Memorial Grammar School for his secondary education. After his secondary education, he proceeded to University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he studied Political Science and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998.{{cite web|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/15-things-you-should-know-about-obi-cubana/|access-date=23 March 2022|first=Ekaete|last=Bassey|title=15 things you should know about Obi Cubana|date=19 July 2021|website=The Nation}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-57872724|title=Obi Cubana source of Income: Cubana Chief Priest oga Obinna Iyiegbu source of money|date=17 July 2021|website=BBC News Pidgin}} He was conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) on 26 November 2022.{{Cite web |last=Okeowo |first=Kehinde |date=2022-11-28 |title=Obi Cubana bags {{as written|hono|urary [sic]}} doctorate degree from ESUT |url=https://www.thenicheng.com/obi-cubana-bags-honourary-doctorate-degree-from-esut/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=TheNiche |language=en-US}}
Career
Iyiegbu is the Chairman/Founder of the Cubana Group. Iyiegbu's career as an entrepreneur started in 2006 when he founded a nightclub called Ibiza Club in Abuja. In 2009, he established a hospitality club called Cubana in Owerri, Imo State.{{Cite news|title=Wetin we know about Obi Cubana source of money|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-57872724|access-date=2021-07-19}}{{Cite web|last=Oyediji|first=Tayo|date=2019-05-30|title=How OBI CUBANA Rocks LAGOS & ABUJA|url=http://www.citypeopleonline.com/how-obi-cubana-rocks-lagos-abuja/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=City People Magazine|language=en-US}}
Other establishments under the Cubana Group include:
- Opium By Cubana, Owerri
- Casa Cubana, Abuja{{Cite web |last=Tyohemba |first=Henry |date=2022-06-23 |title=New Dawn, Cubana Unveil New Estate |url=https://leadership.ng/new-dawn-cubana-unveil-new-estate/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-27 |title=Obi Cubana develops smart homes, golf resort on 89.6ha land - Daily Trust |url=https://dailytrust.com/obi-cubana-develops-smart-homes-golf-resort-on-89-6ha-land/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=dailytrust.com/ |language=en-US}}
- 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
- Ibiza Nite Club, Abuja{{Cite web |date=2024-05-26 |title=Obi Cubana Net Worth, Biography, Companies & Business Empire - Dockaysworld |url=https://www.dockaysworld.com.ng/obi-cubana-net-worth/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Who Is Obi Cubana? - Biography and Early Life of The Lagos Big Boy |url=https://buzznigeria.com/who-is-obi-cubana-biography-and-early-life-of-the-lagos-big-boy/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=buzznigeria.com}}
Awards
The Founder/Chairman of the Cubana Group popularly known as Obi Cubana has won several awards, some of which are;
- Africa Canada Invest Summit Award, 2022 {{Cite web |date=2022-11-06 |title=Obi Cubana, Toyin Abraham, others awarded at ACIS award |url=https://editor.guardian.ng/appointments/obi-cubana-toyin-abraham-others-awarded-at-acis-award/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}
- Democracy Entrepreneur of the Year at the Democracy Heroes Awards in 2018
- Special Leadership Award from Rightville School, 2017
- Ghana-Nigeria Achievers Award 2017 as Inspiring Personality Award, 2017
- Northern Nigeria Peace Summit/Award 2017 as Northern Nigeria Peace Builder of the Year 2017
- Young entrepreneur of the year, 2016