Chief Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma (CON)

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Chief Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma (CON)

Innocent Chukwuma is the chairman and founder of Innoson Group of Companies. He is the man behind Nigeria’s first indigenous motor brand, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing. He was born on October 1st, 1961 at Uru-Umdim in the Nnewi area of Anambra State, as the last of the six children. His father, Chukwuma Mojekwu, was a junior civil servant.

After completing his secondary education in 1978, his dream was to become an engineer. He applied to study Engineering at the university but could not get in because he did not make the cut-off mark. He soon joined his elder brother in his medicine store where he discovered that he has a natural talent for trading. He enrolled as an apprentice for one year under Chief Romanus Eze Onwuka, a motorcycle spare parts dealer. In 1981, Chukwuma started his business as a trader in motorcycle spare parts, a very lucrative business in the South East of Nigeria. He later founded Innoson Group with Innoson Manufacturing, Innoson Tech. & Industries Co.Ltd as its subsidiaries.

His Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) was inaugurated on October 15, 2010 by President Goodluck Johnathan in Nnewi. Chukwuma, a member of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, serves as a Chancellor at Imo State University, Owerri, Anambra State.

He has received many national honours and awards from prominent groups for his outstanding contributions to the development of the society.

In October 2022, a national honour, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), was conferred on him by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

His other awards are the Order of the Niger (OON) 2008; Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) 2011; honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration by Enugu State University of Science and Technology 2011; honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration by University of Nigeria Nsukka 2014; Best Customer by Bank of Industry, 2011; Business Person of the Year by the Sun Publishing Limited 2011; Entrepreneur of the Year by Wesley University of Science and Technology, Akure 2012; Auto Personality of the Year by Guild of Motoring Correspondents 2013 and Most Innovative Entrepreneur by Vanguard Newspaper 2013.