{{short description|Nigerian oil billionaire}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}} {{Infobox person | name = Benedict Peters | image = | image_size = | birth_name = Benedict Peters | birth_date = December 1966 | birth_place = | education = Geography and Regional Planning, Majoring in Geomorphology | alma_mater = University of Benin, Benin | occupation = Founder and CEO, Aiteo, Bravura Holdings | children = 5 | website = {{URL|https://www.peters.ng/}} }}
'''Benedict Peters''' is a pan-African businessman with extensive assets in the oil and gas and mining industries.<ref>[http://www.miningafrica.net/people/benedict-peters ''Mining in Africa''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513045922/https://miningafrica.net/people/benedict-peters/ |date=13 May 2023 }}, 5 April 2016. Retrieved on 2 April 2017</ref> He is the founder and CEO of Aiteo, Africa's largest indigenous oil producer, and Bravura Holdings, a vertically integrated mining company developing platinum, lithium, steel, copper, and gold assets in countries throughout Africa, including Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Libya, Tanzania, and South Africa.<ref>Business Day Online [https://www.businessdayonline.com/five-fascinating-business-facts-part8/ "Five fascinating business facts – Part 8"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506151704/https://www.businessdayonline.com/five-fascinating-business-facts-part8/ |date=6 May 2023 }}, ''Business Day Newspaper'', 13 March 2017. Retrieved on 2 April 2017</ref> Peters is a born again Christian and a prominent financier of the gospel of Jesus Christ.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-20 |title=Benedict Peters, Hugo Chavez, Mia Mottley, Owen Arthur, and Hartley HenryBenedict Peters, Hugo Chavez, Mia Mottley, Owen Arthur, and Hartley HenryBringing News and Opinions to the People |url=https://barbadosunderground.net/2018/05/20/benedict-peters-hugo-chavez-mia-mottley-owen-arthur-and-hartley-henry/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Barbados Underground |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early life and development== Peters was born in Nigeria to a bank manager and a homemaker.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Keren|first1=Mikva|title=12 Things You Didn't Know About Nigerian Billionaire Benedict Peters|url=http://afkinsider.com/88726/12-things-didnt-know-benedict-peters/2/|website=AFKInsider|publisher=Moguldom Media Group|accessdate=8 February 2016|archive-date=20 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120205724/http://afkinsider.com/88726/12-things-didnt-know-benedict-peters/2/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
He graduated with honors from the University of Benin with a bachelor of science degree in geography and regional planning, majoring in geomorphology.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Keren|first1=Mikva|title=12 Things You Didn't Know About Nigerian Billionaire Benedict Peters|url=http://afkinsider.com/88726/12-things-didnt-know-benedict-peters/3/|website=AFKInsider|publisher=Moguldom Media Group|accessdate=8 February 2016|archive-date=21 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921010621/http://afkinsider.com/88726/12-things-didnt-know-benedict-peters/3/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Career== Peters began his career in the oil and gas industry in the early 1990s at Ocean and Oil Services Limited.<ref>[http://authorityngr.com/2016/10/The-Authority-Icon--BENEDICT-PETERS/ "The Authority Icon: BENEDICT PETERS"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421232145/http://www.authorityngr.com/2016/10/The-Authority-Icon--BENEDICT-PETERS |date=21 April 2017 }}, ''The Authority Newspaper'', 11 October 2016. Retrieved on 25 March 2016</ref> He moved to MRS Oil and Gas Limited as group executive director, ending as managing director, before leaving to establish Sigmund Communecci in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com.au/meet-benedict-peters-new-face-nigerias-energy-revolution-1560572|title=Meet Benedict Peters: The New Face of Nigeria's Energy Revolution|website=www.ibtimes.com.au|date=17 October 2017 |language=en|access-date=2017-10-30|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107024118/http://www.ibtimes.com.au/meet-benedict-peters-new-face-nigerias-energy-revolution-1560572|url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2008, Peters rebranded Sigmund Communecci to Aiteo.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Rise of Nigerian Oil and Gas Companies|url=http://arabanticorruption.org/article/24495/The-Rise-of-Nigerian-Oil-and-Gas-Companies|website=Arab Anti-Corruption Organization|publisher=Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org)|accessdate=8 February 2016|archive-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404042943/http://arabanticorruption.org/article/24495/The-Rise-of-Nigerian-Oil-and-Gas-Companies|url-status=dead}}</ref> The company owns one of the largest petroleum tank farms in Nigeria with facilities in excess of more than 250 million liters on over 100,000 square meters of landmass.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/benedict-peters-aiteo-group-leading-the-charge-for-african-energy/|title=Benedict Peter's Aiteo Group leading the charge for African energy|last=Thanapathy|first=Shanaka|date=2017-10-03|work=The South African|access-date=2017-10-30|language=en-US|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031911/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/benedict-peters-aiteo-group-leading-the-charge-for-african-energy/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It also owns and operates the Abonnema Storage Terminal.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Awaji|first1=Justus|title=Compensation: Rumuwoji, Abonnema Wharf Residents Sing Discordant Tunes.|url=http://www.thetidenewsonline.com/2011/07/03/compensation-rumuwoji-abonnema-wharf-residents-sing-discordant-tunes/|location=Port Harcourt, Nigeria|newspaper=The Tide|accessdate=8 February 2016|archive-date=5 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005011324/https://www.thetidenewsonline.com/2011/07/03/compensation-rumuwoji-abonnema-wharf-residents-sing-discordant-tunes/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2014, Aiteo acquired a controlling stake in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) in the Eastern Niger Delta from Royal Dutch Shell Plc.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nandakumar|first1=Abhiram|title=Shell completes sale of OML 29, Nembe Creek pipeline in Nigeria|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/shell-divestiture-nigeria-idUSL3N0WR4PU20150325|accessdate=19 February 2016|work=Reuters|publisher=Thomson Reuters|date=25 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Alike|first1=Ejiofor|title=NNPC, Shell, Aiteo Conclude Sale of OML 29, Nembe Creek Trunkline|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nnpc-shell-aiteo-conclude-sale-of-oml-29-nembe-creek-trunkline/205059/|accessdate=19 February 2016|date=26 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706234515/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nnpc-shell-aiteo-conclude-sale-of-oml-29-nembe-creek-trunkline/205059/|archive-date=6 July 2015|url-status=dead|newspaper=This Day}}</ref> According to Wood Mackenzie, OML 29 is a large block located in the southeastern Niger Delta with "11 oil and gas fields."<ref>{{cite web|title=OML 29|url=http://www.woodmac.com/reports/upstream-oil-and-gas-oml-29-12385691|website=Wood Mackenzie|accessdate=19 February 2016|archive-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309225605/http://www.woodmac.com/reports/upstream-oil-and-gas-oml-29-12385691|url-status=live}}</ref> The 983-square-kilometer OML 29, onshore in the Niger Delta, is the site of Nigeria's first-ever commercial discovery — in 1956 at the Oloibiri Oilfield.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigerian banks took key role in Aiteo deal|url=http://www.theoilandgasyear.com/news/nigerian-banks-took-key-role-in-aiteo-deal/|website=The Oil and Gas Year|publisher=The Oil & Gas Year Limited|accessdate=19 February 2016|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303004648/http://www.theoilandgasyear.com/news/nigerian-banks-took-key-role-in-aiteo-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Aiteo is also set to build a 100,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery in oil-rich Warri in Delta State.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aiteo to build 100,000bpd refinery in Warri |url=http://energymixreport.com/aiteo-to-build-100000bpd-refinery-in-warri/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027181232/http://energymixreport.com/aiteo-to-build-100000bpd-refinery-in-warri/ |archive-date=27 October 2016 |accessdate=21 February 2016 |website=Energy Mix Report |publisher=The Energy Mix (Nigeria) Limited}}</ref>
In November 2023, Aiteo recorded a historic milestone in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector when it launched a new grade of crude called Nembe through a joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).<ref name="thewillnews.com">{{Cite news |date=2023-11-12 |title=Stakeholders Laud NNPC/Aiteo JV Nembe Crude Oil Grade Launch |url=https://thewillnews.com/stakeholders-laud-nnpc-aiteo-jv-nembe-crude-oil-grade-launch/ |location=Nigeria|access-date=2023-11-13 |language=en-US |archive-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117201041/https://thewillnews.com/stakeholders-laud-nnpc-aiteo-jv-nembe-crude-oil-grade-launch/ |url-status=live |newspaper=The Will}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Grover |first1=Natalie |last2=Harvey |first2=Robert |last3=Ghaddar |first3=Ahmad |date=2023-11-08 |title=Nigeria launches new 'Nembe' grade as ramps up oil output |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/nigerias-state-oil-firm-launches-new-nembe-grade-crude-2023-11-07/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203122114/https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/nigerias-state-oil-firm-launches-new-nembe-grade-crude-2023-11-07/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Nembe crude oil grade has a low sulphur content and low carbon footprint due to flare gas elimination, which meets the required specifications of major buyers in Europe. The Nembe crude stream will be managed and marketed by a joint venture between NNPC and Aiteo Eastern E&P Co. Ltd. It is the first such crude marketing project solely run by Nigerian entities.<ref name="thewillnews.com"/>
In December 2023, Aiteo expanded its global energy presence by acquiring a substantial stake in Mozambique's Mazenga gas block, which is the largest onshore gas reserve in Africa.<ref name="Ajayi">{{Cite web |last=Ajayi |first=Feyisayo |date=2023-12-27 |title=Billionaire Benedict Peters secures stake in Mozambique's largest onshore gas block |url=https://billionaires.africa/2023/12/27/billionaire-benedict-peters-secures-stake-in-mozambiques-largest-onshore-gas-block/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Billionaires.Africa |language=en-US |archive-date=28 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228113823/https://billionaires.africa/2023/12/27/billionaire-benedict-peters-secures-stake-in-mozambiques-largest-onshore-gas-block/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The acquisition, achieved through agreements with Mozambique’s state oil firm Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH), grants Aiteo operational control over the block that spans around 23,000 square kilometers and contains 19 trillion cubic feet of gas.<ref name="Ajayi"/> Aiteo has already initiated an extensive development program encompassing aeromagnetic and gravitational studies, field surveys, and data reprocessing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Africa |first=B. I. |date=2023-12-27 |title=Aiteo takes charge of Mozambique's Mazenga gas block |url=https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/leaders/aiteo-takes-charge-of-mozambiques-mazenga-gas-block/wf6rlr6 |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Business Insider Africa |language=en |archive-date=27 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227105733/https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/leaders/aiteo-takes-charge-of-mozambiques-mazenga-gas-block/wf6rlr6 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Peters has rapidly diversified Aiteo by founding Aiteo Power, where he serves as chairman.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Marks |first1=Dan |date=10 April 2014 |title=Another step forward for the power sector as international investors bide their time |url=http://www.dentons.com/~/media/PDFs/Insights/2014/April/AENigeriaPower275Apr14.pdf |journal=African Energy |issue=275 |page=2 |accessdate=19 February 2016 |archive-date=4 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404045100/http://www.dentons.com/~/media/PDFs/Insights/2014/April/AENigeriaPower275Apr14.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> He also leads the Aiteo Consortium and EMA Consortium, which have won separate bids to acquire three power-generating companies.<ref>{{cite web |title=NIPP Transaction – Preferred Bidders |url=http://www.nipptransactions.com/nipp-transaction-preferred-bidders/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905011544/http://www.nipptransactions.com/nipp-transaction-preferred-bidders/ |archive-date=5 September 2014 |accessdate=11 February 2016 |website=NIPP Transactions |publisher=Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited}}</ref>
Peters is also the founder and CEO of Bravura Holdings, a vertically integrated mining company developing gold, copper, lithium, and steel assets in countries throughout the African continent, including Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa. In 2019, Bravura acquired a 3,000-hectare concession for a platinum mine in Selous, located 80 kilometers south of Harare. The company also owns a sprawling lithium deposit in Kamativi, a small mining town in Zimbabwe, concessions for cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, copper mines in Zambia, and gold mines in Ghana, as well as a diversified portfolio of mining assets in Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/08/13/oil-tycoon-benny-peters-plans-to-explore-the-world|title=Oil Tycoon, Benny Peters, Plans to Explore the World|newspaper=This Day|language=en|access-date=2023-09-06|archive-date=6 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906071842/https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/08/13/oil-tycoon-benny-peters-plans-to-explore-the-world|url-status=live}}</ref>
In February 2024, the Atlantic Council announced a three-year initiative targeting critical minerals in Africa, in collaboration with Aiteo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ehopkins |date=2024-02-07 |title=The Atlantic Council's Africa Center launches program on African critical minerals |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/news/press-releases/the-atlantic-councils-africa-center-launches-program-on-african-critical-minerals/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}}</ref> The initiative will establish a 12-person task force focused on critical minerals, assembling participants from the United States, Europe, and Africa, including figures from the financial sector, development organizations, and governments.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ewuji |first=Victoria |date=2024-02-08 |title=Atlantic Council, Aiteo Team Up to Establish African Critical Minerals Program |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202402080247.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=AllAfrica InfoWire |language=en}}</ref> Amid the global pursuit of critical minerals, the task force will convene regularly in Washington, D.C. Their discussions will aim to assess the importance and potential of African minerals within supply chains of the U.S. and EU, devise approaches to improve the involvement of African nations and suppliers, and identify ways to more successfully mobilize the private sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ajayi |first=Omokolade |date=2024-02-08 |title=Billionaire Benedict Peters' Aiteo partners with Atlantic Council to elevate Africa's critical mineral influence |url=https://billionaires.africa/2024/02/08/billionaire-benedict-peters-aiteo-partners-with-atlantic-council-to-elevate-africas-critical-mineral-influence/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Billionaires.Africa |language=en-US |archive-date=8 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208124639/https://billionaires.africa/2024/02/08/billionaire-benedict-peters-aiteo-partners-with-atlantic-council-to-elevate-africas-critical-mineral-influence/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Awards and philanthropy==
Peters and his wife, Ella, are the founders of the Benedict & Ella Peters Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benedict & Ella Peters Foundation |url=http://www.be-foundation.org/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=www.be-foundation.org |archive-date=13 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113115307/http://www.be-foundation.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The non-profit organization is dedicated to fighting the inequalities and hardships of the underprivileged across Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ajayi |first=Omokolade |date=2023-09-28 |title=7 companies owned by billionaire African energy mogul Benedict Peters |url=https://billionaires.africa/2023/09/28/7-companies-owned-by-african-billionaire-benedict-peters/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Billionaires.Africa |language=en-US |archive-date=13 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113115308/https://billionaires.africa/2023/09/28/7-companies-owned-by-african-billionaire-benedict-peters/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Peters was one of four recipients of the Marquee Award for Global Business Excellence at the Africa-U.S. Leadership Awards Dinner on 5 August 2014 in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mariama-Arthur|first1=Karima|title=Bridging the Intercontinental Leadership Divide: African Energy Association to Host Inaugural Dinner|url=http://www.cbcfinc.org/village/bridging-the-intercontinental-leadership-divide-african-energy-association-to-host-inaugural-african-us-leadership-awards-dinner/|website=Congressional Black Caucus Foundation|date=4 August 2014 |publisher=Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc|accessdate=8 February 2016}}</ref> hosted by the African Energy Association, a non-profit energy industry organization.<ref>{{cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.africanenergyassociation.org/|website=African Energy Association|accessdate=19 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312100154/http://www.africanenergyassociation.org/|archive-date=12 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
''Leadership'', a national newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria, named Peters "Leadership CEO of the Year 2014" for championing a local content deal that facilitated the engagement of Nigerian-owned companies in managing oil assets in his native country, Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite news|title=LEADERSHIP CEO Of The Year 2014 – Benedict Peters (Founder, Aiteo Group)|url=http://leadership.ng/2014_award/leadership-ceo-year-2014-benedict-peters-founder-aiteo-group|newspaper=Leadership|accessdate=8 February 2016|archive-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928171553/http://leadership.ng/2014_award/leadership-ceo-year-2014-benedict-peters-founder-aiteo-group|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nigeria's Top 30 Corporate Deals of 2014|url=http://venturesafrica.com/nigerias-top-30-major-corporate-deals-of-2014/|website=Ventures Africa|accessdate=19 February 2016|archive-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403201235/http://venturesafrica.com/nigerias-top-30-major-corporate-deals-of-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=List of 'All' The Major Corporate Deals That Took Place In Nigeria – 2014|url=http://nairametrics.com/list-of-all-the-corporate-deals-of-2014/|website=Nairametrics|date=15 January 2015 |accessdate=10 February 2016|archive-date=26 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226224355/http://nairametrics.com/list-of-all-the-corporate-deals-of-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Anjli Raval and Javier Blas|title=Shell-led group close to selling Nigeria oilfields for $5bn|url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/9754d97c-2dbe-11e4-8346-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3zaXYxc87|accessdate=10 February 2016|work=Financial Times|publisher=The Financial Times Ltd|date=27 August 2014}}</ref>
On 18 January 2015, Peters was presented the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Legacy Award in the "Economic Empowerment" category at an event held at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Abayomi|first1=John|title=Adefuye honours six with Martin Luther King Awards|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/adefuye-honours-six-martin-luther-king-awards/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|accessdate=8 February 2016|archive-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724011233/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/01/adefuye-honours-six-martin-luther-king-awards/|url-status=live|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref>
''BusinessDay'', a national business and finance newspaper in Nigeria, ranked Peters among the "50 Most Influential Nigerians" in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businessdayonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/50-most-influential-Nigerians-in-2017-.pdf|title=50 Most Influential Nigerian in 2017|website=BusinessDay Online|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918160729/http://www.businessdayonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/50-most-influential-Nigerians-in-2017-.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In June 2018, ''The Guardian'' (Nigeria), a mainstream national newspaper in Nigeria, named Peters "Oil and Gas CEO of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/news/firms-ceos-others-receive-the-guardian-oil-gas-awards/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Firms, CEOs, others receive The Guardian oil, gas awards|access-date=2018-09-18|language=en-US|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://connectnigeria.com/articles/2018/06/aiteo-bags-three-award/|title=AITEO Takes Three Awards At the Guardian's Oil and Gas Roundtable • Connect Nigeria|website=connectnigeria.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-09-18|archive-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918160754/https://connectnigeria.com/articles/2018/06/aiteo-bags-three-award/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[33]</ref>
In 2019, ''BusinessDay'' also named Peters "Man of the Year".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://businessday.ng/opinion/article/benedict-peters-two-decades-of-leadership-excellence-in-africa/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Benedict Peters: Two Decades of Leadership Excellence in Africa |first=Epa |last=Stevens |date=December 28, 2019 |newspaper=BusinessDay}}</ref>
In April 2017, Aiteo announced the signing of a five-year partnership agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation, worth an estimated N2.9 billion naira ($3.8 million).<ref name="nff boost">{{cite news |last1=Okeleji |first1=Oluwashina |date=26 April 2017 |title=The Nigeria Football Federation gets financial boost |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39719904 |accessdate=28 April 2017 |archive-date=1 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501113147/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39719904 |url-status=live }}</ref> In its capacity as the NFF Official Optimum Partner, Aiteo provided financial support that funded the salaries of Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr and the coaches of all NFF national teams. Peters told the media that "Aiteo is as passionate about leadership as Nigerians are about football.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-11-16 |title=Benedict Peters, Ahmad Ahmad: Two leaders with one vision for African football - Vanguard News |language=en-US |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/benedict-peters-ahmad-ahmad-two-leaders-one-vision-african-football/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2017-12-05 |archive-date=5 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205210524/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/benedict-peters-ahmad-ahmad-two-leaders-one-vision-african-football/ |url-status=live |newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref> so we are proud to be working together with the NFF and its coaching staff to reach a shared goal of a more prosperous Nigeria."<ref name="nff boost" />
==Personal life== Peters is married and has five children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.benedict-peters.com/about-benedict-peters/|title=Benedict Peters - CEO Aiteo Group|work=Benedict Peters|access-date=2017-04-03|language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327183917/http://www.benedict-peters.com/about-benedict-peters/ |archive-date=2019-03-27}}</ref> He is a born again Christian and financier of the gospel of Christ.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-20 |title=Benedict Peters, Hugo Chavez, Mia Mottley, Owen Arthur, and Hartley HenryBenedict Peters, Hugo Chavez, Mia Mottley, Owen Arthur, and Hartley HenryBringing News and Opinions to the People |url=https://barbadosunderground.net/2018/05/20/benedict-peters-hugo-chavez-mia-mottley-owen-arthur-and-hartley-henry/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Barbados Underground |language=en-US}}</ref>
He is a longtime supporter of democratic movements in Nigeria and globally. Peters continues to be a major donor to progressive political processes in Africa. This position has put him at odds with opposing political forces internally and externally, and resulted in politically charged investigations into his commercial dealings.
Peters was falsely accused in the Pandora Papers of bribing Nigerian oil official Diezani Alison-Madueke with overseas luxury real estate to secure favors with the Nigerian Ministry of Petroleum Resources.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Armendariz|first=Agustin|date=October 6, 2021|title=Pandora Papers {{!}} A Global Investigation {{!}} Secret Trove Illuminates the Lives of Billionaires|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2021/billionaires-offshore-accounts/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=7 October 2021|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006152404/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2021/billionaires-offshore-accounts/|url-status=live}}</ref> Benedict denied the allegations.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-20|title=Benedict Peters slams Washington Post's reporter, denies corruption ties with Diezani -|url=https://www.tvcnews.tv/benedict-peters-slams-washington-posts-reporter-denies-corruption-ties-with-diezani/|access-date=2021-10-07|website=TVC News|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2017, the Appeal Court of Nigeria ordered the immediate lift of an interim forfeiture order on Peters' properties in the UK, which had earlier been obtained by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court accused the EFCC of "gross misstatements, concealment and misrepresentation of facts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://venturesafrica.com/apostories/court-orders-immediate-release-of-uk-properties-belonging-to-aiteo-boss-benedict-peters/|title=Court Orders Immediate Release of UK Properties Belonging to Aiteo Boss, Benedict Peters|website=Ventures Africa|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref>
In early November 2023, the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR), a pan-African civil society group, lodged a petition with Nigeria's House of Representatives, demanding a comprehensive legislative investigation into the defamation and undermining of Nigerian businessman Benedict Peters.<ref name="Johnson">{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Chris |date=2023-11-01 |title=Reps to investigate British agency, others over contempt of Nigerian courts |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/11/01/reps-to-investigate-british-agency-others-over-contempt-of-nigerian-courts/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-11-03 |newspaper=Daily Post|language=en-US |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103111941/https://dailypost.ng/2023/11/01/reps-to-investigate-british-agency-others-over-contempt-of-nigerian-courts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
According to the petition, which was presented on behalf of the civil society organization by Kaduna State Member of the House of Representatives Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi, British officials and investigative agencies repeatedly "disregarded rulings from Nigerian courts and engaged in actions aimed at undermining court decisions that vindicated Benedict Peters.<ref name="Johnson"/>
Through the petition, the ACJHR seeks to "compel the British government to stop undermining Nigeria's judicial sovereignty and the judgments rendered by competent Nigerian courts."<ref name="Johnson"/>
The House of Representatives adopted the petition and is expected to launch an inquiry in mid-November.<ref>{{Cite news |last=News |first=Leadership |date=2023-10-31 |title=Reps To Probe British Agency, Others For Disregarding Court Verdicts Exonerating Aiteo Boss |url=https://leadership.ng/reps-to-probe-british-crime-agency-others-for-disregarding-court-verdicts-exonerating-benedict-peters-of-wrongdoings/ |access-date=2023-11-03 |language=en-US |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103111941/https://leadership.ng/reps-to-probe-british-crime-agency-others-for-disregarding-court-verdicts-exonerating-benedict-peters-of-wrongdoings/ |url-status=live |newspaper=Leadership}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Peters, Benedict}} Category:Nigerian billionaires Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Federal Government College Enugu alumni Category:University of Benin (Nigeria) alumni