By Ghazali Ibrahim
Dr. Mark Akhabue, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Jendol Nigeria Limited, is one of the notable entrepreneurs to emerge from Iruekpen in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
An indigene of Iruekpen, near Ekpoma, Akhabue has built Jendol Superstores into one of the fastest-growing indigenous retail chains in Nigeria.
Beyond retail, he also oversees Jendol Petroleum as Managing Director and CEO.
Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Akhabue established himself in the aviation and financial sectors, working with notable organizations including Virgin Nigeria Airlines.
His professional background as an accountant provided the foundation for his eventual entry into large-scale retail business.
His wife, Mrs. Oluwakemi Akhabue, serves as Executive Director of the supermarket chain and has played a key role in the company’s growth and operations.
Jendol Superstores opened its first outlet in November 2016 with a workforce of just 26 employees. Since then, the company has expanded rapidly by focusing on densely populated suburban communities that were traditionally underserved by major retail brands. Today, the chain operates more than two dozen outlets across Lagos and Ogun states.
The growth of the business has made Jendol one of the notable success stories in Nigeria’s retail sector, a highly competitive industry that requires substantial investment in inventory management, security infrastructure, technology and customer service.
Iruekpen has produced several distinguished Nigerians, including the late Stella Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, further highlighting the community’s contribution to national development.
Through Jendol Superstores, Dr. Akhabue has become one of the leading examples of entrepreneurial success from Edo State, transforming a single retail outlet into a growing business empire that provides employment opportunities for hundreds of Nigerians.
