Chudi Ejekam

Michael Chu’di Ejekam is often sought out by journalists and industry heads for his insights and expertise related to the retail real estate industry.

He has been referred to as a “retail thought leader” because of his forward-thinking ways, and his proficiency has helped globally-known companies with billion dollar ventures. Throughout his career, he has worked in commercial real estate development across West Africa and in the United States, leading to the success of the companies he works with and improving the local economies in the communities he impacts.

Mr. Ejekam’s story began in Lagos, Nigeria, where he was born and raised. He had big aspirations and wanted to help improve the lives of others, so he dedicated his early years to study. His dreams led him to apply to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, a prestigious Ivy League institution that produces many of the world’s leaders in business. Even at an early age, Mr. Ejekam had an impeccable track record, and the school not only accepted him, but honored him with the Howard E. Mitchell Award for his dedication and achievements. He successfully completed the program, receiving a bachelor of science in economics, with a focus on finance.

Initially, Michael Chu’di Ejekam worked as an investment banker on New York City’s famous Wall Street for the internationally-known firm Merrill Lynch, where he participated in $3 billion of initial public offerings (IPO), leveraged buyout (LBO) financings, and leverage loans. Following this, he took a position with a private real estate investment and development firm, with holdings in some $2 billion of real estate assets. During his time there, he led bidding for $750 million in assets and originated $350 million in development.

Once he traveled back home to Nigeria, Mr. Ejekam played a key role in the “retail revolution.” As the Director of Real Estate for West Africa of Actis, the most active retail developer in sub-Saharan Africa, he took part in the development of many major retail malls in Nigeria, Ghana, and broader West Africa, as well as the first green certified building in all of Nigeria. Overall, he originated more than $750 million in retail projects, and his knowledge and background led to the success of countless ventures.