Ubi Ekapong Ofem is a music artist manager, politician, entrepreneur, and TV program host from Nigeria. He is the founder and CEO of the music record company Made Men Music Group (Triple MG), Instant Apartment, and Instant Pickup Logistics. Franklin is currently the Special Adviser on Tourism to Cross River State Governor Benedict Ayade in Nigeria.
Early Life and Education
Ubi Franklin was born in Cross River State, Nigeria, on February 2, 1986. He is the eleventh child of fifteen children. He finished his primary and secondary education in Calabar before enrolling at the University of Madonna in Nigeria, where he earned a law degree.
Career
Ubi Franklin has a track record of working with top music industry personalities. He has collaborated with AY Makun and other artists, and he has also served as Julius Agwu’s assistant. He then began promoting concerts. He became Iyanya’s manager before to the release of the successful single “Kukere” in 2010. Following the label’s expansion in 2014, new artists such as Tekno, Emma Nyra, and Selebobo joined.
Franklin was named Music Manager of the Year at the City People Music Awards in 2016. In July 2017, he launched Instant Pickup as an online business that enables speedy pickup and delivery of laundry at residences. He also founded Instant Apartment, an internet rental business for luxury residences, the same year. In October 2018, he launched Instant Ryde, an online taxi service, in his hometown of Calabar, Cross River state, and Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
Cross River State Governor Benedict Ayade appointed Ubi Franklin as Special Adviser on Tourism in 2020.
Franklin is also a public speaker. He spoke at the Youth Enterprise Conference, which was organized by Otunba Akin Alabi, the creator of Nairabet. He also appeared on stage with veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo and former First Bank chairman Ibukun Awosika at the Hub Business Conference hosted by the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA).
Personal Life
Ubi Franklin married Nigerian actress Lilian Esoro on November 1, 2015, and the couple will be married till February 3, 2021. The marriage of the entrepreneur and actress was annulled on Thursday, January 28th, 2021 in the Abuja High Court. Lilian Esoro’s first divorce petition was denied by the Lagos High Court. Ubi filed for divorce in Abuja, and the divorce was granted. They have a son, Jason, who was born on July 17, 2016.
Ubi’s ex-wife, Ubi Franklin, has three additional baby moms besides Lilian Esoro. Zenata, his first child, was born to his first mother, Jennifer. Before marrying Lilian Esoro, his second baby mama, Ubi was in a relationship with Jennifer.
Nicole Siyo, a South African, is his third baby mama. With his third baby mama, Nicole Siyo, he has a son named Shiloh. Sandra Iheuwa is his fourth baby mama, and they share a daughter, Ariella.
He is the father of four children: two males, Jayden and Shiloh, and two daughters, Zaneta and Ariella.
Franklin admitted that from July 2016 to March 2017, he struggled to recover from depressive bouts that nearly led to his suicide. He was nearly killed by a man in a furniture store in Lagos, but he was saved by his cousin, and the assailant was later arrested.
Chrisland Rape Story
In April 2022, Ubi received backlash from Nigerians over his story on ‘the alleged rape saga’ at Chrisland schools.
Here are some of the reactions on social media:
@Royz said: “Ubi Franklin just came here to expose that girl and disgrace her parents by trying to paint her as the victim.”
@capitalp: “To be honest, that Ubi Franklin guy needs to be investigated for exposing this little girl. He knows something we don’t know about.”
@Mr.ariyo: “Dear parents, kids will be always kids. These Chrisland kids are no exemptions.
“Sexual immorality between 11 and 13 years old does not truly, and should not, define you as a failed parent.
“Keep trying and keep your kid’s issues away from clout mongers like Ubi Franklin.”
@Adesuwa: “Because of Ubi Franklin, this matter has escalated. It was a private matter until it was brought to Twitter.
“You misled the public to think it was rape, when you knew it was otherwise. Because of you, the video has further circulated.”
Impact and Influence
The “Ubi Franklin Startup Fund,” a platform for funding already-formed business ideas and plans, was introduced by Ubi Franklin in 2017. He has provided seed funding for various Nigerian start-up businesses.
Ubi Franklin appointments and recognitions
As a public figure who has dabbled his hands in so many things, Ubi Franklin has gotten appointments, recognitions and invitations as a public speaker. Some of them include;
- Special Adviser on Tourism by Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade in 2020.
- Speaker at the Youth Enterprise Conference (YECO) – 2018 by Nairabet’s founder, Otunba Akin Alabi
- Shared stage with the Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, Ibukun Awosika and Veteran Nollywood actor, Richard Mofe Damijo at the Hub Business Conference organized by the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly.
- City People Music Award for Music Manager of the Year – 2017
- Nominee for the Future Awards Africa – 2017
- Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award – 2018
- Business Person of the Year at the Entrepreneur Africa Awards – 2018
Net Worth
Ubi Franklin is estimated to be worth $4 million.
