Oluwatobi Joshua Ajayi is a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Nord Automobiles Limited, one of Nigeria’s pioneering indigenous automobile brands. His journey from a student of agriculture to a leading figure in the automotive industry exemplifies innovation, resilience, and a commitment to national development.
Early Life & Education
- Born: 1988, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
- Education:
- Primary and secondary education at Nigeria Navy School
- Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science and Farm Mechanization from Olabisi Onabanjo University (2004–2010)
- MBA from Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University)
- Executive certificate from IESE Business School, Spain
Career Path
- 2012: Completed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at Mercedes-Benz Nigeria, where he was retained post-service.
- 2013–2015: Managed the Mercedes-Benz van division in Nigeria, increasing market share from less than 1% to 7%. Awarded the Mercedes-Benz Best Sales Performance for Africa in 2013.
- 2015: Co-founded Jetvan Automobiles Limited, an authorized dealer of Mercedes-Benz vans.
- 2018: Founded Nord Automobiles Limited, aiming to establish a Nigerian automobile brand that assembles durable and cost-efficient vehicles locally.
Nord Automobiles Limited
- Established: 2018
- Headquarters: Lagos, Nigeria
- Valuation: Over ₦4.2 billion
- Product Line: Offers a range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks, assembled locally from imported parts.
Recognitions & Awards
- Listed by Forbes as one of Africa’s most promising young entrepreneurs in 2018.
- Named among Nigeria’s most influential individuals under 40 by Business Insider in 2019.
- Won the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Association of MBA’s & BGA Excellence Awards in 2021.
Oluwatobi Ajayi’s vision for Nord Automobiles reflects his dedication to fostering industrial growth in Nigeria and challenging the dominance of foreign automobile brands by providing locally assembled, high-quality vehicles.
