Allen Onyema Biography: Age, Net Worth State of Origin, Career, Air Peace CEO, Wife, And Children
Allen Onyema Biography
Allen Ifechukwu Onyema is a Nigerian lawyer and entrepreneur, known as the founder and CEO of Air Peace, a prominent airline he established in 2013. He was Born in March 1964 in Benin City and he studied law at the University of Ibadan and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.
Onyema has been involved in social activism, particularly in promoting ethnic harmony in Nigeria. He led a group of students to quell a religious and ethnic riot during his university years, which led to the formation of the Eminent Friends’ Group, aimed at promoting peace and fighting violence.
In 2019, he faced legal challenges when the US Department of Justice indicted him on charges of money laundering and bank fraud related to the purchase of airplanes for Air Peace. However, after a three-year investigation, a District Court in Atlanta, Georgia, exonerated him of any business fraud as of May 2022.
Allen Onyema Age
Allen Onyema is 60 years old as of 2024.
Allen Onyema State of origin
Allen Onyema hails from Mbosi in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Allen Onyema Early Life and Education
Allen Ifechukwu Onyema was born on March 1964, into the family of Michael and Helen Onyema as the first of nine children. His early years were spent in Benin City, located in the heart of Nigeria’s Edo State.
After completing his primary education in Benin and Warri, he attended several prestigious secondary schools, including St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Azia, Urhobo College, Effurun, and Government College, Ughelli.
In 1984, Allen’s academic journey led him to the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university, where he pursued a degree in law. It was here that his passion for peace and social activism took root. He spearheaded an initiative with a group of fellow students to quell a religious and ethnic riot in Zaria, a testament to his early commitment to fostering unity and harmony.
Upon graduating in 1987, Allen continued to champion peace and ethnic harmony by establishing branches of the Eminent Friends’ Group across Nigeria. This organization, born out of his university activism, aimed to combat violence and promote understanding among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
His dedication to these causes remained steadfast as he attended the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1989, marking the beginning of his legal career.
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Allen Onyema Career
After being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989, Allen Onyema began his legal career at Chief Vincent Amobi’s Law Firm – Nwizugbo & Company in Lago.
In the early 1990s, Onyema ventured into real estate, leveraging connections he made while squatting in Oshodi, Lagos. He helped sell plots of land in Alagbado, earning commissions that would serve as seed money for his future business endeavors.
By 1992, Onyema had established his own law firm, ONYEMA & CO, where he continued to practice law and engage in real estate transactions. His business acumen and legal expertise allowed him to grow his ventures and create employment opportunities for many Nigerians.
Onyema’s entrepreneurial journey took a significant turn in 2013 when he founded Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline. The airline, which offers passenger and charter services to major cities in Nigeria and West Africa, was born out of his desire to create massive job opportunities and contribute to the nation’s economic development.
Beyond his business pursuits, Onyema has been a vocal advocate for peace and ethnic harmony in Nigeria. His early activism at the University of Ibadan led to the formation of the Eminent Friends’ Group, which aimed to promote unity among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
Today, Allen Onyema is recognized not only as a successful lawyer and entrepreneur but also as a philanthropist and peace ambassador. His contributions to Nigeria’s aviation industry and his efforts to foster peace have earned him national and international acclaim.
Allen Onyema Wife and Children
Allen Onyema is married to Alice Ojochide Onyema, who hails from Kogi State, Nigeria. The couple tied the knot in 1993 and are blessed with four children: one girl, Nnenna, and three boys, Chinonso, Obinna, and Ugochukwu.
Allen Onyema Net Worth
As of 2024, Allen Onyema’s net worth is estimated to be around $3.1 billion. He has accumulated his wealth through his career as a lawyer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, notably as the owner and CEO of Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading indigenous airline.