Please meet the Nigerian version of America’s Mr Ford, Innocent Chukwuma OFR. In the spirit of the current #BuyNaija Campaign, meet and celebrate one of our very own, Chief (Dr) Innocent Chukwuma (OFR), the Executive Chairman of the Innoson Group.
One of his subsidiaries, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd, is Nigeria’s first indigenous Motor Vehicle Manufacturing firm.
Photo Credit : Innoson Motors
Chief (Dr) Innocent Chukwuma (OFR) was born in 1961 in Umudim, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. He is the last born of a family of six.
It has not been an overnight success for Chief (Dr) Innocent Chukwuma (OFR).
Photo Credit : Innoson Motors
He started his automotive journey in 1978 when he became an informal apprentice of Chief Romanus Onwuka (Rojenny), who then, was arguably, the foremost dealer of Motorcycle spare parts in the entire Nnewi Market.
After 6 months of informal apprenticeship and start-up capital of N3,000, he started his first automotive spare parts business, trading as Gabros International Limited.
Photo Credit : Innoson Motors
By 1982, his capital had increased to N20,000 and he re-branded.
His company became known as Innoson Nigeria Limited selling Tyres and Motorcycle Spare-parts at Nkwo, Nnewi, Anambra State of Nigeria.
By 1987, his company had ventured into far Asia and successfully competed with Japanese Motorcycle brands such as Suzuki and Yamaha (Remember!!!!!).
Infact, he was recognised as winning the price war in 1987, as the prices of his Chinese Motorcycle brands such as Jingcheng and Jiachi reflected more value for money than those of his competitors.
His company, the Innoson Group, was reputed for ending the scourge!!!!!!, yes, the scourge of ‘Tokunbo’ (foreign-fairly used) motorcycles in Nigeria.
He did this by reducing the prices of his motorcycle brands from N150,000 to N60,000, effectively driving his competitors out of business.
He forayed into many other industries before launching the first MADE IN NIGERIA CAR in February 2009 under one of his subsidiaries, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
The big leap came for him in 1995 when he established the first fully indigenous motorcycle assembly plant at Nnewi, affirming his position as the first indigenous motorcycle maker in Nigeria.
He has won many awards both locally and internationally and has benefited the country’s economy in no small measures, as his success has secured employment for about 7,400 Nigerians among others.
Thank you, Chief (Dr) Innocent Chukwuma (OFR), for making vehicle manufacturing in Nigeria a reality and many more grease to your elbows.
Please patronize him so we can keep indigenous businesses alive in Nigeria. #BuyNaija
Meet The Nigerian Version of Mr Ford – Innocent Chukwuma OFR
