Nonso Okpala

Nonso Okpala (born December 20, 1979) is a Nigerian investor and fintech entrepreneur, serving as the Group Managing Director and founder of VFD Group Plc, an investment firm listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and the United Kingdom. He is also the co-founder of ARTSPLIT, a fintech company, offering lease auctions and co-owning possibilities for African works of art.
In 2023 and 2024, Okpala was appointed as a Non-Executive Director at the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX)and the Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS)https://www.cscs.ng/ respectively. In 2022, he received the Anambra Most Inspiring Man of the Year award. Beyond his business roles, he is engaged in philanthropy, supporting education and healthcare in Nigeria through the Chude and Ego Foundation
Name 	In use: Nonso Okpala 	Given: Nonso Okpala Michael Okpala
Born: December 20, 1979 (Age 45) 	Birth Location: Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State (South-East Nigeria)	Nationality: Nigerian
Education: Primary: Lydia Primary School, Benin City, Edo State	Secondary: Merit Brothers Juniorate, Uturu, Okigwe, Abia State 	Tertiary: University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu
Occupation Category: Investor, Fintech, Innovator 	Job: Group Managing Director, VFD Group Plc. 	Additional: Founder, Chude and Ego Foundation
Years Active: 2004 – present 	Known for: VFD Group Plc. 	
==Early Life and Education==
Nonso Okpala was born in Uga,Aguata Anambra State, Nigeria. He grew up in a Catholic household influenced by his parents' work ethic and commitment to community service. His father, Chude Okpala, was a banker, and his mother, Ego Okpala, worked in education and entrepreneurship.
Okpala attended Lydia Primary School in Benin City and Marist Brothers Juniorate in Abia State before earning a degree in Marketing from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His training at KPMG and his qualifications from ICAN and CAIA provided a strong foundation in finance and accounting.
==Career==
After graduating, he joined KPMG Professional Services, advancing from Auditor to Senior Auditor. In 2008, he moved to BGL Plc in corporate finance, then later held a finance director role at Heirs Holdings
In 2016, Okpala took on the role of Group Managing Director at VFD Group Plc, a company he co-founded in 2009. Originally intended as a banking venture, VFD Group expanded into an ecosystem of over 20 companies across various industries, with a portfolio valued at over ₦240 billion. Key subsidiaries include VFD Microfinance Bank,https://vbank.ng/ Abbey Mortgage Bank,https://www.abbeymortgagebank.com/ and Anchoria Asset Management.https://anchoriaam.com/
==The Nigerian Stock Exchange==
In 2019 VFD Group under his leadership, debuted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange later earning the "Listed Company of the Year" award at the 2023 Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Made of Africa Awards.
In 2022, Okpala co-founded ARTSPLIT,https://weareopensa.artsplit.com/ a platform facilitating shared ownership of non-traditional assets like art, music, and real estate with the aim to democratize access to these assets.
==Philanthropy and Cultural Engagement==
Okpala supports healthcare in Nigeria through the Chude and Ego Foundation, including the OSNON Academy, a co-boarding school for providing free education to underserved communities 
Category:1979 births
Category:Fintech
Category:Nigerian investors
Category:Nigerian people