Michael Ugwu Explained

Michael Ugwu
Native Name:Obiora
Native Name Lang:ibo
Birth Date:3 December 1980
Birth Place:Manchester, England
Other Names:Magic Mike
Occupation:Entrepreneur
Investor
Media Proprietor
Known For:Pioneer GM for Sony Music Entertainment in West Africa, the first major label to open up shop in West Africa, headquartered in Lagos, NigeriaGeneral Manager, Sony Music Entertainment, West Africa
Founder/CEO, Freeme Digital
Credits:, which produces label "Notable credit(s)"; or by
Works:, which produces label "Works"; or by
Label Name:, which produces label "Label(s)" -->
Office:may be used as an alternative when the label is better rendered as "Office" (e.g. public office or appointments) -->

Michael Ugwu is a British music industry executive, investor and entrepreneur in Nigeria's music and entertainment industry. He was formerly the General Manager of Sony Music Entertainment, West Africa.[1] He is the founder and CEO of Freeme Digital.[2] Prior to this, Ugwu was the CEO of iROKING Ltd [3]

Career

From 2010 to 2013, Ugwu was the CEO at iROKING, an online digital music platform focused on the Nigerian Entertainment Industry.[4]

He founded Freeme Digital limited in 2013[5] and in 2020, he became the first Nigerian to be appointed to the board of the Merlin Network.[6] [7] He was reappointed to the board of Merlin in January 2022.[8]

Ugwu has investments in multiple start-up companies including Shecluded,[9] Coin Profile, Buycoins Africa, Atide Solutions and Spendify.[10]

Controversy

Ugwu has been accused by YCEE of unethical or unfair business practices.[11] [12] [13] He was dismissed from iROKING allegedly over issues involving working with a competing service.[14] [15] [16] Ugwu has disputed iROKING's claims.[17]

In 2020, Ugwu announced that he had been acquitted of all charges brought against him by iROKING, at the Federal High Court and Industrial Court.[18]

Honors and recognition

Personal life

In 2019, Ugwu married Onyeka Udechukwu.[21]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former iROKING CEO, Michael Ugwu moves to Sony Music Entertainment West Africa. techpoint.africa. en-US. 2018-10-14.
  2. News: Consistency, perseverance needed to succeed in business –Ugwu. Punch Newspaper. en-US. 2021-10-12.
  3. Web site: BN Making It!: From the Hustle to Redefining Music Distribution in Africa - CEO of iROKING.com Michael Ugwu Takes Nigerian Music to the World - BellaNaija. www.bellanaija.com.
  4. Web site: Young Tech Executive Michael Ugwu dramatically exits iROKING. BellaNaija.
  5. Web site: Say HELLO to Nigeria’s Newest Digital Distributor, FREEME DIGITAL, Ex-Iroking CEO Michael Ugwu’s New Baby?. Africa Music Law.
  6. Web site: Michael Ugwu, Founder & CEO, Freeme Digital Ltd. Invest Africa.
  7. Web site: From Block to Board Member As Michael Ugwu Joins Merlin As Executives Board Member. GY Online.
  8. Web site: Merlin Unveils New Board of Directors, With Nine First-Time Members. Variety.com.
  9. Web site: Hello Perfect Partners Shecluded to Provide Beauty Loans. ThisDay.
  10. Web site: ‘Growth of local labels, entrance of international players have created environment for youths to thrive in music business’. Business Day.
  11. Web site: "They raping us in silence" Ycee Calls Out Sony West Africa. www.bellanaija.com. en-US. 2018-11-08.
  12. News: Ycee: Singer accuses Michael Ugwu, Sony Music exec of theft and fraud. Akan. Joey. 2018-11-08. en-US.
  13. News: Deal gone sour: Ycee, Sony Music's Michael Ugwu trade words on Twitter. 2017-08-30. TheCable Lifestyle. 2018-11-08. en-US.
  14. News: Again! Michael Ugwu, former CEO of iROKING in another scandal - TechMoran. 2017-08-31. TechMoran. 2018-11-08. en-US.
  15. News: Michael Ugwu, CEO of IROKING Falls out with iROKO Team - TechMoran. 2013-10-31. TechMoran. 2018-11-08. en-US.
  16. Web site: Michael Ugwu, CEO, fired from iRoking. innovation-village.com. 2019-09-04.
  17. Web site: iROKING ex-CEO Refutes Jason Njoku's Allegations. venturesafrica. 2013-10-31. Ventures Africa. en-US. 2019-08-27.
  18. Web site: FreeME Digital CEO, Michael Ugwu acquitted by Ibadan court after 7-year legal battle with iROKO Partners. Motolani Alake. 2020-11-13. Pulseng. en-US. 2021-10-12.
  19. Web site: Institut Choiseul.
  20. News: Freeme Digital Boss, Micheal Ugwu, ranked in Billboard’s 2021 Indie Power Players . Guardian Newspaper.
  21. Web site: See Amazing Photos From Michael Ugwu’s Wedding. 2019-06-13. legit9ja. en-US. 2022-05-17.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Michael Ugwu".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.