Benedict Peters was born in December 1966 in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Nigeria. He was raised in a middle income family. His father was a banker and his mother was a homemaker. For his education Peters attended Federal Government College Enugu and later earned a Bachelors degree in Geography and Regional Planning with focus on Geomorphology from the University of Benin.
Career Beginnings Peters began his professional journey in the early 1990s. He worked at Ocean and Oil Services Limited a company that later evolved into Oando Plc. He then moved to MRS Oil Gas Limited where he rose to the position of Managing Director.
In 1999 he founded his own company Sigmund Communication specializing in oil trading and supply business. Founding Aiteo Group In 2008 Sigmund Communication was rebranded as Aiteo Group marking the beginning of a fully integrated African energy company.
Under his leadership the group expanded into upstream downstream power generation and energy infrastructure. In 2014 Aiteo made one of the biggest acquisitions in Nigerian energy sector when it purchased a controlling stake in Oil Mining Lease 29 along with the Nembe Creek Trunk Line from Royal Dutch Shell.
Today Aiteo is one of Nigeria’s largest indigenous oil producers. Mining Ambitions Through Bravura Holdings Peters also expanded into mining through Bravura Holdings a company with a presence in several African countries including Zimbabwe Ghana Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The company is involved in platinum lithium copper gold and coal projects with a focus on building vertically integrated mining operations that support African industrialization. Benedict Peters known for his long term vision and commitment to African participation in the energy sector.
He advocates for local content development energy diversification and the use of gas to support power generation across the continent. Aiteo has introduced a cleaner crude blend called Nembe which demonstrates the company’s effort toward sustainability and innovation. Through the Benedict and Elma Peters Foundation he supports education healthcare and poverty reduction in rural communities.
He also founded the Joseph Ayo Foundation which focuses on agricultural development and economic empowerment of farmers. Aiteo has also been a major supporter of Nigerian football sponsoring national teams and helping revive interest in the sport. Legal Challenges and Vindication Over the years Peters has faced various allegations and investigations like many high profile business figures in the energy sector.
However multiple courts in Nigeria ruled that his assets and earnings were legitimately acquired. He has consistently maintained his innocence regarding accusations made during the Pandora Papers investigations. In 2025 a social media report claimed he was arrested in Ghana but it was later debunked as sensational and inaccurate.
Recognition and Awards Benedict Peters has received numerous awards including the Mahjoub Award for Global Business Excellence and the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Legacy Award for Economic Empowerment. He was also ranked Business Person of the Year for his contributions to energy development in Africa.
Personal Life Peters is a devoted Christian and credits his faith for guiding his decisions. He is married to Ella Peters and they have five children. He remains committed to shaping a future where Africa controls more of its natural resources and builds companies that can compete globally.
Legacy and Future Outlook Benedict Peters continues to stand out as one of Africa’s most influential industrialists. With strong investments in oil gas power and mining his strategy is positioning Africa for the future of global energy. His long term goal is to build African enterprises that create jobs transform communities and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
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