Lagos Business School Alumni Elects Neimeth MD Valentine Okelu as President

LAGOS – The Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA) has elected Mr. Valentine Okelu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc., as its new president.

Okelu succeeds to the position after serving as the association’s vice-president for the past two years. His election reflects the confidence of the alumni community in his leadership and commitment to advancing the objectives of the association.

An alumnus of the Advanced Management Programme (AMP 19) at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Okelu completed the executive programme in 2007. The AMP is designed to strengthen executive leadership and strategic management capabilities, exposing participants to global business perspectives and international best practices. The programme also includes a week-long international module at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

Okelu brings nearly three decades of experience in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry to his new role. He began his career in 1996 as a Medical Sales Representative with Rhone-Poulenc Rorer/May & Baker Nigeria Plc., where he later served as Market Development Manager for the Northern region and Product Manager for Cardiovascular Products.

During his career at May & Baker Nigeria Plc., he held several senior management positions, including Head of Demand Creation, Head of Corporate Planning and Development, General Manager of the Foods Division, General Manager of Pharma Sales and Marketing, Executive Director of the Foods Division, Executive Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, and Executive Director of Sales and Marketing.

In August 2023, Okelu was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc., where he currently leads the company’s strategic growth and operations.

Academically, Okelu graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree before earning a Master’s degree in Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the National Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria, the International Pharmaceutical Federation, the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, and the Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals.

The Lagos Business School Alumni Association is the official network of graduates of Lagos Business School, promoting lifelong learning, professional development, and collaboration among its members while contributing to business and societal development in Nigeria and beyond.