In an era marked by economic uncertainty and a rapidly evolving business landscape, visionary leaders are redefining industries and reshaping how growth and development are achieved. Among these outstanding figures is Gabriel Azu Okonkwo, Managing Director, Superflux International Limited. An alumnus of the University of Lagos where he obtained his first degree in Business Administration, Okonkwo is a seasoned banker with vast experience in Operations, Inspections, Internal Audit and Project Management. His company, Superflux International Limited is a leading secure, commercial and variable data prints solution provider to over 135 clients in various sectors.

Okonkwo started his career at a commercial bank, where he served as a member of the MICR Technical Implementation Committee and was the Chairman of the Sub-Committee that produced the Interim Cheque Standard. He also participated in the implementation of the Nigeria Cheque Standard Accreditation and the Nigeria Cheque Printers Accreditation Scheme (NICPAS) for cheque printers’ accreditation.

Gabriel Okonkwo joined Superflux International Limited, in August, 2007 as Group Head, Business Development, where he championed the introduction of end-to-end cheque production (cheque production outsourcing) to banks in Nigeria. He was later appointed Group Head, Marketing and Chief Operating Officer in 2014 and in January 2018, he became the Managing Director/CEO, Superflux International Limited and Vice-President, Superflux Group. Currently, Superflux produces and supplies over 90% of cheque books to Nigeria Banks and also produces cheque books for several other African countries.

He has attended various international training study tours/programs on Cheque Production and Security. He conducted training for several banks on cheque fraud detection and prevention and has also carried out forensic analysis on fraud cheques for several banks and some security agencies. Prior to the commencement of cheque truncation in Nigeria in 2013, he conducted trainings for several banks on Cheque Truncation, which drastically reduced the turn-around-time for cheque clearing in the Nigeria banking system.

While describing what propelled his career journey, Okonkwo said his greatest passion has always been the drive to develop practical, secure, and innovative printing solutions that solve real problems for institutions and end-users. According to him, “This passion shaped my career in the banking industry, particularly during my work in Internal Control, Information Systems Audit, and Project Management. During this period, I represented my Bank as a member of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s MICR Technical Implementation Committee, where I played a significant role in drafting and implementing the first Nigerian Cheque Standards.

“When I moved to Superflux International Limited as Group Head, Business Development, same passion inspired the development of cheque personalization and cheque outsourcing solutions that helped banks address long-standing issues of cheque fraud and forgery. It continues to motivate my work in providing secure documents, commercial print, and packaging services that support businesses, strengthen brand integrity, and enhance operational efficiency. Ultimately, what has brought me this far is a commitment to using print not merely as a product, but as a strategic tool for problem-solving, innovation, and value creation across multiple sectors.”

On how professional training has shaped his worldview and career journey, the Superflux boss noted that “Professional training has been instrumental in shaping both my worldview and my leadership approach. During my tenure at First Bank as an Internal Control officer, Information Systems Auditor (Lagos and London branches), and member of the CBN/MICR Technical Implementation Committee, I benefited from extensive training programs, study tours, and international exposure, including in the United Kingdom and other financial centers. These experiences have profoundly influenced my day-to-day activities as Managing Director and CEO of Superflux International Limited. They have enhanced my problem-solving abilities, strengthened my decision-making, and equipped me with innovative approaches to address complex business challenges. More importantly, professional training has instilled a mindset of continuous learning, resilience, and ethical leadership, enabling me to view challenges as opportunities, embrace change, and make strategic decisions that drive organizational growth and maintain competitiveness in a dynamic market.”

He added that he would describe the nexus between Superflux International Limited’s corporate vision and its success story as the foundation upon which the company’s growth, innovation, and reputation have been built. In his words, “From inception, the vision of the founder has been clear, “to be the dominant and leading facilitator of end to end secure transaction, documentation processing and communication solutions, guaranteeing world class process integrity”. This vision has consistently guided our strategy, our investments, and the culture we nurture.

“Under my leadership, we have grown the company by turning this vision into action. We invested in modern printing and packaging technology and built a team that takes ownership of every project, whether it is high-volume cheque personalization, secure documents, or sophisticated packaging solutions. Every product we deliver carries the promise of quality and integrity, and that consistency has earned the trust of our clients, customers, and shareholders.

“What drives me every day is the knowledge that our work has a real impact. Seeing a client receive a solution that protects their business or enhances their brand reminds me why we do what we do. To sustain this success, we focus on developing our people, embracing digital transformation, strengthening risk management, and building partnerships that keep us ahead in a competitive market.

“Furthermore, our governance structure and ethical business practices have strengthened our credibility. We maintain rigorous quality-control processes, clear compliance frameworks, and responsible financial management. These pillars ensure that our stakeholders can depend on us not only for excellent results but also for integrity and stability. Ultimately, our growth and reputation are the result of aligning our vision with action, innovation, and integrity. It is this alignment that keeps Superflux a trusted and leading name in the industry.”

In his overall assessment of the Data Printing Solution Technology Sector and the business landscape in Nigeria, Okonkwo noted that as a key player in the nation’s economy, “The Data Printing Solution Technology sector in Nigeria has undergone significant transformation in recent years. While traditional printing volumes have declined due to digitalization, technology has enabled more secure, data-driven, and specialized printing solutions. Certain segments of the industry are thriving, including cheque personalization, secure documents, thermal paper, packaging solutions, and financial transaction materials.

“This shift has created both challenges and opportunities. Operators face high operational costs, including electricity tariffs, rising fuel expenses, and skyrocketing prices for consumables such as CBS papers, thermal rolls, and FBB. Exchange rate volatility, import duties, and the need for continuous technology upgrades further impact the business landscape. For example, our company is on band A electricity, paying higher tariffs with the expectation of at least 20 hours of supply per day, but inconsistent supply means additional spending on diesel and gas. These pressures demand innovative strategies to remain competitive without compromising quality or security.

“Despite these challenges, the sector demonstrates resilience. Operators are embracing local content development, long-term partnerships, and process optimization to reduce dependency on imports. The regulatory environment is also improving, with greater emphasis on data protection, industry compliance, and operational transparency.

“In summary, the sector is evolving rather than expanding in volume. Success now depends on adaptability, innovation, and ethical practices. With continued digital transformation, stronger security requirements, and investment in technology and workforce development, the Data Printing Solution Technology sector holds strong prospects for sustainable growth and a meaningful contribution to national development,” he added.

Giving an insight into how integrity and ethical business practices have driven Superflux International Limited’s core operations management, especially as it bothers on the company’s current engagements and projects, the security printing expert informed that “At Superflux International Limited, integrity is not just a principle; it is the foundation of how we operate. Ethical practices guide how we hire, produce, execute projects, and interact with clients. This commitment has shaped our growth and remains central to our current engagements and long-term strategy, ensuring our continued relevance in the data printing and security solutions industry.

Integrity begins with strict adherence to industry regulations, data security protocols, and quality assurance standards. Because we handle highly sensitive materials for financial institutions, government agencies, and private organizations, all our processes from procurement to production, personalization, and final delivery are designed to ensure transparency, accuracy, and confidentiality.

“Ethical practices also guide client engagements. We provide honest timelines, cost-effective solutions, and clear communication throughout every project. Clients trust us because we never compromise quality for short-term gains and only make commitments we can sustain. We are known for our commitment to the highest levels of service delivery, timely resolution turnaround time, technical competence, consistency and professionalism. This consistency has strengthened long-term partnerships and positioned Superflux as a dependable industry leader.

Internally, our culture reinforces accountability and professionalism. We promote merit-based performance, adherence to operational guidelines, and respect for confidentiality. Regular staff training ensures that everyone, across production, technical, administrative, and support functions, understands their role in upholding the integrity of our output.”

On what he considers as the toughest decision he ever made and the lessons learnt, Mr. Gabriel Okonkwo recalled that “One of the toughest decisions I ever had to make was choosing to halt a major production run despite the financial and timeline pressures attached to it because we discovered a quality inconsistency during the final checks. The job involved sensitive documents for a key client, releasing anything below our standards would have risked our credibility, the client’s confidence, and ultimately the integrity of our brand. Stopping the production meant absorbing additional costs, reorganizing schedules, and having uncomfortable conversations with the client. It was a decision that demanded courage, transparency, and discipline. However, it was the right decision.”

He went further that the lessons from this decision are explained as follow:
Integrity must never be negotiable. When you lead with truth and quality, you may face short-term inconvenience, but you protect long-term trust and institutional reputation.
Communication is critical.: Being upfront with the client, explaining the issue, the corrective steps, and revised timelines actually strengthened the relationship. Clients appreciate honesty more than perfection.
Leadership sometimes requires difficult sacrifices: The easiest decisions are not always the best ones. A leader must be willing to make tough calls in the interest of the company’s future.
Systems and quality controls matter: That incident reinforced the importance of robust monitoring processes and empowered us to strengthen our internal checks to prevent similar situations.
Reputation is a currency: In the printing and security-document industry, your integrity is your strongest competitive advantage. Losing money is recoverable; losing trust is not.