At just 36 years old, Ajayi Joshua Oluwatobi is a trailblazer in Nigeria’s automotive industry, steering his company, Nord Automobile Limited, toward significant growth and recognition. Born in 1988 as the first child in his family, Tobi’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming the CEO of a billion-naira automobile company is nothing short of inspiring.
Tobi’s academic foundation was laid at the Nigerian Navy School, where he completed both his primary and secondary education. He later pursued a degree in Soil Sciences and Farm Mechanisation at Olabisi Onabanjo University from 2004 to 2010. His passion for business and leadership led him to further his education, culminating in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University.
His professional journey began in 2012 when he joined Mercedes-Benz Nigeria as part of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment. His exceptional performance saw him retained by the company, where he was tasked with managing the Mercedes-Benz van division.
Under his leadership, the market share for Mercedes-Benz vans in Nigeria grew from less than 1% to an impressive 7% between 2013 and 2015. His outstanding contribution earned him the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Best Sales Performance award for Africa in 2013.
A turning point in his career came after visiting Mercedes-Benz factories in Europe and Asia. During these trips, Tobi realized that with determination and strategic focus, Nigeria could build its own globally recognized automobile brand. This vision became the driving force behind his ambition.
In April 2015, together with a group of investors, Tobi co-founded Jetvan Automobiles Limited, focusing on expanding Mercedes-Benz van sales and after-sales services in Nigeria. His tenure as CEO saw the company flourish until he decided to venture out on his own in April 2018. Driven by the desire to create a Nigerian brand that could compete on a global scale, Tobi founded Nord Automobile Limited.
Nord Automobile has quickly established itself as a formidable player in the Nigerian automotive industry, offering elegantly designed, reliable, durable, and cost-effective vehicles that rival international brands. The company’s latest valuation places its worth at over N4.2 billion, a testament to Tobi’s visionary leadership and business acumen.
Nord Automobile continues to gain traction, with its recent delivery of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles to government agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), marking a significant milestone. Tobi’s entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration to young Nigerians, demonstrating that with innovation and hard work, homegrown brands can make a global impact.
Ajayi Joshua Oluwatobi remains committed to his vision of building a Nigerian automobile brand that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best, making him a beacon of hope for the country’s industrial and economic future.
