2025 Northern Alberta Business Hall of Fame Inductees
Nizar Jaffer Somji’s path from engineer to transformative entrepreneur and community leader is defined by vision, resilience, and a drive to build lasting impact.
After earning an electrical engineering degree from the University of Birmingham and a master’s in chemical engineering from the University of Alberta, Nizar launched Matrikon Inc. in 1988. What began as a one-person consultancy became a global leader in industrial automation, with operations on six continents and over 600 employees. In 2010, Matrikon was acquired by Honeywell for $144 million.
Building on that success, Nizar founded the Jaffer Group of Companies, a diversified enterprise spanning construction, hospitality, real estate, and consulting. With operations in Canada, the U.S., and Portugal, the group has invested over $130 million in Alberta, creating hundreds of jobs and fueling economic growth.
In 2024, Nizar was elected Chancellor of the University of Alberta, reflecting his long-standing commit-ment to education and social impact. His philanthropic efforts include funding engineering research chairs and serving on the University’s board of governors.
To JA students, Nizar shares: “Think big, embrace challenges, and never stop learning. That’s where the real growth happens.”