Michael Christopher Ibru was a trailblazing entrepreneur who left an indelible mark on Nigeria' s business landscape. Born into a family of modest means, Ibru' s journey to becoming one of Africa' s most successful businessmen is a testament to his vision, resilience, and innovative spirit.

Ibru was born to Epete Ibru, a missionary worker and nursing superintendent, and Janet Omotogor Ibru, a fish seller in the Niger Delta creeks. He was the first of seven children. Ibru' s academic prowess became evident at Igbobi College, Lagos, where he excelled in academics and extracurricular activities, culminating in his appointment as senior prefect.

At 24, Ibru partnered with Jimmy Large to create Laibru, a trading company that would eventually grow into a conglomerate of almost 25 companies. Laibru' s foray into the frozen fish market in 1957 was a bold move, as the industry was dominated by expatriate firms. However, Ibru' s sustained campaign to promote frozen fish as a viable alternative paid off, and the company established over 300 distribution depots across Nigeria.

Ibru' s business acumen led him to diversify his interests, establishing: