In a powerful celebration of ingenuity, leadership, and transformative impact, Richard Okon was named one of Nigeria’s most distinguished professionals at the City People Outstanding Talents Awards on December 5, 2022. The award recognises trailblazers whose contributions have reshaped industries and elevated standards of excellence, and Okon stood out for his unparalleled influence in financial restructuring, business revival, and executive leadership.
Chosen from a competitive pool of over 10,000 nominees, Okon’s selection followed a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process that assessed impact, innovation, and leadership. The Awards Committee emphasised not just the scale of his accomplishments but the depth of their societal value, transforming ailing institutions, advising on national policy frameworks, and mentoring a new generation of business leaders. His proven ability to catalyse growth under adversity and deliver lasting organisational change set him apart as a rare breed of visionary and executor.
Renowned for his strategic insight and bold problem-solving, Okon has consistently distinguished himself as a leader capable of turning crises into opportunities and distressed organisations into thriving enterprises. His extensive body of work across finance, consulting, and public policy has not only earned him industry accolades but has also delivered measurable improvements in organisational performance and governance.
A Mastermind of Corporate Turnarounds
Across multiple sectors, from finance and healthcare to logistics and public administration, Richard Okon has built a reputation as a go-to expert for companies in distress. His leadership has guided numerous organisations through critical phases of recovery and reinvention.
At one of Nigeria’s respected financial institutions, Okon assumed executive leadership at a time when the organisation was struggling with operational instability. He quickly introduced structural reforms, implemented robust risk controls, and redefined the company’s strategic objectives. The result was a remarkable turnaround that restored profitability, stakeholder confidence, and long-term sustainability.
Through his boutique consultancy, Reeks Corporate Services, he has led high-impact projects that include interim executive placements, strategic training for government agencies, and corporate governance advisory. His interventions in the healthcare space were particularly lauded, where he unlocked long-delayed funding, overhauled accounting structures, and helped guide critical expansion projects that enhanced service delivery and financial performance.
Financing Excellence with Strategic Depth
Richard Okon’s influence extends deeply into investment strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets. As a former CEO of a leading investment advisory firm, he facilitated the successful raising of hundreds of millions of dollars in capital across diverse industries, including oil and gas, hospitality, and IT infrastructure.
His firm advised on some of the most complex financial transactions in the region, ranging from debt restructuring and private equity placements to the sale and integration of corporate entities. His clients included major conglomerates, government stakeholders, and foreign investors seeking scalable opportunities in Nigeria and West Africa.
Okon’s dealmaking expertise and client-first philosophy earned his firm multiple nominations from global financial institutions and award platforms, underscoring his global competitiveness and local insight. His work was not just about numbers, it was about rescuing jobs, stabilising businesses, and igniting growth in struggling sectors.
Guiding Public Policy and Strategic Development
Beyond the boardroom, Richard Okon has contributed meaningfully to public sector transformation. As Director at Imara Africa, he played an instrumental role in developing the 30-year Development Plan Framework for Kaduna State, an ambitious vision that lays the groundwork for the state’s long-term economic and social transformation. His work ensured that the framework aligned with sustainable development goals, fiscal discipline, and economic inclusivity.
He also led strategic reviews of legacy public institutions and spearheaded revitalisation efforts in key industrial sectors. In one case, he oversaw the asset restructuring of a formerly dormant manufacturing company, preparing it for successful divestment while preserving employment and stakeholder value. His ability to bridge the gap between policy and practice has made him an invaluable contributor to national development discourse.
Celebrating Leadership That Builds Legacies
Receiving the City People Outstanding Talents Award represents more than a personal victory; it symbolises the triumph of effective leadership in turbulent times. Okon’s story is not about individual success, but about lifting institutions, creating jobs, stabilising industries, and inspiring a new generation of professionals.
In his words during the award ceremony:
“Transformation is not about perfection, it’s about purpose. Every challenge we face in business or government is an opportunity to reset and reimagine what is possible.”
For City People, for Nigeria, and aspiring changemakers everywhere, Richard Okon’s recognition serves as a reminder that talent matched with tenacity is unstoppable. His legacy is still being written, but its impact is already clear.
