Nigeria and Jamaica have lost the great matriarch of the Royal family of Eze Dunu 1 of Ifite Dunu Dunukofia, Anambra, Her Royal Highness, Mrs Barbara Okoye.
The deceased, originally born a Jamaican, was the mother to Nigeria’s investment and digital asset markets, Wizkid, Dr Nicky Okoye.
Barbara Okoye died on Tuesday November 11, 2025, at a London hospital after a brief illness.
She was aged 92 and survived by several other children and grandchildren, including Prince Chinedu Okoye, one time Regent of Ifite Dunu, and Princess Augustina Okoye among many other children and grandchildren.
Late Okoye was married to His Royal Majesty Igwe Augustine Ezechi Okoye, the Eze Dunu 1 of Ifite Dunu, Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State of blessed memory.
He joined his ancestors of the Royal Clan of Ifite Dunu DunuKofia Anambra State in December of 2003.
Late Mrs. Okoye was best known for her professional nursing career, in the medical and healthcare industries for which her professionalism served three continents across the World including the United States in North America, the United Kingdom in Europe and Nigeria in Africa.
In addition, she started and operated successfully, several entrepreneurial ventures which included the Clayton Lounge Hotel and the Gannet Concorde Hotel both in Enugu.
She also ran an institution of higher learning, as well as her “Mothercare” stores which provided nursing mothers, across eastern Nigeria with all their unique branded baby needs and Mothercare needs as well as mother friendly home equipment.
Dr Nicky Okoye, who is the last son of Mrs Barbara Okoye, is best known for his role as the Chief Strategy Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (now Nigerian Exchange Group).
He is the Co-Founder and first Group Executive Director Operations of Transcorp Plc.
As a serial entrepreneur, Dr. Okoye founded several enterprises including ANABEL Group; ANABEL MOBILE, Africa’s first manufacturer of smart mobile devices; ANABEL Capital; and Global Investment Advisory Community, driving the Digital Asset Markets for Nigeria and Africa.
He is also the President of the African Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Institute.
The funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in due course.
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