Innocent Chukwuma

{{Infobox person | name = Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma | image = Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma2.jpg | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|10|1}} | birth_place = Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria | occupation = Businessman, industrialist | known_for = Founder of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing | honours = Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) }} '''Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma''' ({{Audio | LL-Q33578 (ibo)-Ebube Clara-Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma.wav|listern}}CON ; born 1 October 1961) is a Nigerian business magnate ,investor and industrialist. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, (IVM) Nigeria's first indigenous automobile manufacturing company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://venturesafrica.com/innoson-unveils-first-made-in-nigeria-cars/|title=Innoson Unveils First 'Made-in-Nigeria' Cars - Ventures Africa|date=2014-12-02|work=Ventures Africa|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbesafrica.com/wealth/2017/08/07/small-town-super-rich/|title=The Small Town Of The Super Rich - Forbes Africa|date=2017-08-07|work=Forbes Africa|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/innoson-gtb-draw-battle-line-n400b-lawsuit/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Innoson, GTB draw battle line over N400b lawsuit - The Nation Nigeria|date=2017-08-18|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en-US|newspaper=The Nation}}</ref>

== Early life == '''Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma''' was born on 1 October 1961 in Uru-Udim, Nnewi, in present-day Anambra State, Nigeria. He was born into the family of Chukwuma Mojekwu, a civil servant, and Martina Chukwuma, a homemaker.<ref name="carmart">{{cite web |last=Okeke |first=Obianuju |date=2 July 2024 |title=Innocent Chukwuma net worth, biography, cars and houses |url=https://carmart.ng/innocent-chukwuma-net-worth-biography-cars-and-houses/ |website=CarMart Nigeria}}</ref> He is the youngest of six children, comprising four males and two females.

== Education == Chukwuma completed his secondary education in 1978 and aspired to study engineering at university. However, he did not meet the required admission cut-off mark. While awaiting further opportunities, he joined his elder brother, Gabriel Chukwuma, to assist in managing a pharmaceutical business.<ref name="Achebe">{{cite web |last=Achebe |first=Ọma |date=20 June 2024 |title=The biography of Chief Innocent Chukwuma Ifediaso; CEO of Innoson Group |url=https://nnewicity.com/the-biography-of-chief-innocent-chukwuma-ifediaso-ceo-of-innoson-group/ |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref>

== Career == thumb|Portrait of Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), known for his contributions to indigenous automobile production in Nigeria.

Chukwuma began his business career through an apprenticeship under Chief Romanus Eze Onwuka, a motorcycle spare parts dealer in Nnewi market.<ref name="Achebe"/> After completing his apprenticeship in 1980, he returned to work with his brother and co-founded a trading business, Gabros International, with initial capital support from his brother.<ref name="Achebe"/>

In the early 1980s, he expanded into the importation and distribution of motorcycle spare parts, a growing sector in southeastern Nigeria. His business strategy included importing motorcycle components in semi-knocked-down form and assembling them locally, which enabled him to reduce costs and increase market competitiveness.<ref name="Achebe"/>

This expansion led to the establishment of manufacturing ventures, including plastics production, which later evolved into part of the broader Innoson Group. In 2007, he founded Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), headquartered in Nnewi, which is regarded as Nigeria's first indigenous automobile manufacturing company.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://venturesafrica.com/innoson-unveils-first-made-in-nigeria-cars/ |title=Innoson Unveils First 'Made-in-Nigeria' Cars |work=Ventures Africa |date=2 December 2014}}</ref>

IVM produces a range of vehicles, including buses, trucks, and utility vehicles, and has supplied vehicles to various government agencies, including the Nigerian Army and Police.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 August 2020 |title=Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing only imports engine, light |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/innoson-vehicle-manufacturing-only-imports-engine-light/ |newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref>

Chukwuma has also been involved in business and political initiatives. In 2013, he served as deputy chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Coalition for Jonathan/Sambo Presidency, a political support group for then-president Goodluck Jonathan.<ref name="Achebe"/>

His company has received patronage from several Nigerian state governments, and has expanded production capabilities, including the development of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles.<ref>{{cite news |title=Innoson Chairman, Chukwuma Wins 2023 NAJA Auto Personality Award |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/01/06/innoson-chairman-chukwuma-wins-2023-naja-auto-personality-award/ |newspaper=ThisDay}}</ref>

== Personal life == Chukwuma is married to Ebele Chukwuma, and they have children. He resides in Anambra State, Nigeria.<ref name="carmart"/>

== Innoson Group and subsidiaries == The Innoson Group comprises several companies operating across manufacturing and industrial sectors:

* '''Innoson Nigeria Limited''', based in Nnewi, manufactures motorcycles, tricycles, and related spare parts. * '''Innoson Technical and Industrial Company Limited''', located in Enugu, produces plastic products, industrial components, and household goods.<ref name="Achebe"/> * '''Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM)''', headquartered in Nnewi, manufactures buses, trucks, and utility vehicles. * '''General Tyres and Tubes Company Limited''', based in Enugu, produces tyres and tubes.<ref name="Achebe"/>

== Legal disputes == Chukwuma has been involved in a legal dispute with Guaranty Trust Bank. In 2017, he filed a lawsuit seeking damages over financial and reputational claims. The case has undergone multiple legal proceedings, including appeals.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 August 2017 |title=Innoson, GTB draw battle line over N400b lawsuit |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/innoson-gtb-draw-battle-line-n400b-lawsuit/ |newspaper=The Nation}}</ref>

== Awards and honours == Chukwuma has received several awards and recognitions for his contributions to manufacturing and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. These include:

* Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) * Commander Of The Order Of The Niger (CON), conferred in 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari<ref>{{cite news |date=9 October 2022 |title=Full list: 2022 National Honours Award recipients|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/full-list-2022-national-honours-award-recipients/ |newspaper=The Nation}}</ref> * Industry and entrepreneurship awards from organisations such as the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce<ref>{{cite news |date=1 January 2014 |title=Innocent Chukwuma: Most innovative entrepreneur 2013 |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/01/innocent-chukwuma-innovative-entrepreneur-2013/ |newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chukwuma, Innocent}} Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:Officers of the Order of the Niger Category:20th-century Nigerian businesspeople Category:21st-century Nigerian businesspeople Category:Nigerian businesspeople in manufacturing Category:People from Nnewi Category:Nigerian automobile salespeople