WLs: The Car Parts Dealer Who Worked as Bus Conductor to Save Capital

Working Lives – Ndi Anambra – The Car Parts Dealers  

We set out to talk to the Igbo spare parts dealers but discovered almost every one of them in the car parts clusters at Ladipo, Ijaye and Alagbado are from Anambra State. Another small discovery is that everyone has learnt the trader under an older brother or relative. The average period of apprenticeship is 7 years after which the boss completely bears the cost of setting up the apprentice in business, paying for his shop as well as the stock. Delve in and discover more about the origins and Working Lives of spare parts dealers.

WLs: The Car Parts Dealer Who Worked As Bus Conductor to Save Capital

I got only N30,000 from my uncle after 8 years of serving him. When I discovered the N30,000 could not do anything, I had to keep the money and start struggling on my own to raise more money.

 Where are you from?

I am from Nnewi South in Anambra State.

Everyone in this business seems to be from Anambara State

Hahaha yes, we are all brothers. The majority of us come from the same place.

What schools did you attend?

I attended Command Secondary School, Ukpor. My parents were just managing. So I could not go further.

Please, tell us about your family

I come from a family of 9. My parents are both farmers. We ate most of the harvest ourselves so little remained to sell.

When did you get to Lagos?

I arrived Lagos in 1982. I was staying with my uncle in Ketu.

Where do you live now?

Well, before I built my own house I was living in a rented apartment. But I live in my own house now – a 4-bedroom flat in Ijaye Ojokoro. I completed the house in 2011.

How did you start selling spare parts?

I learnt the trade under my uncle for 8 years.

Also Read: Working Lives: Ndi Anambra – The Car Parts Dealers of Lagos

How much did it cost you to establish the business?

I started selling spare parts on my own in 1995 after I left my uncle’s place. The money my uncle gave me to set up was nothing to write home about. While my mates were getting millions from their bosses to establish, I got only N30,000 from my uncle after 8 years of serving him. When I discovered the N30,000 could not do anything, I had to keep the money and start struggling on my own to raise more money. I was a bus conductor at a point and I later upgraded to having my own commercial bus. I established my own shop after I was able to gather about N300,000.

How did you get money to buy the bus?

From the conducting job now. I did not pay in full for the bus. I was allowed to pay a deposit of N50,000 and balance up in installments. I bought the bus for N100,000.

Is it a good deal for masters to invest so much in setting up an apprentice?

Yes. I do not think setting up for someone that has worked under you for over 6 years of his life is a big deal. Also note that during these 8 years, the only thing he does is serve you without paying him any salary. When I finished learning the trade under my uncle and he gave me N30,000. I was disappointed. This is why I always establish anyone who serves me very well. What my uncle did to me still annoys me till today. But he was my uncle. What could I have done? Fight him? I do not want anyone to have such an experience.

Does it not reduce your capital when you set up businesses for apprentices?

Hahaha. No it does not, there is enough money. Giving an apprentice one million naira or less after 7 years of serving you is not a big deal. There is enough gain in this business. The money I would use to set up an apprentice is not anywhere near what I make in a single year as profit.

Do you import the spare parts from abroad?

I mainly buy from Trade Fair in Lagos.

What types of spare parts do you sell?

Radiators, fan, fuel pump, tyres, many more like that, just name it.

How many hours do you work in a day?

I work for 10 hours in a day. I get to the shop by 8 a.m. in the morning and close by 6 p.m. Sometimes I do not come early. My boys just open the shop before I get here and then I come to join them later in the day. I open on weekends too, apart from Sunday though.

What is your best day like in this job?

Every day is my best day as long as nothing bad happens to me or my loved ones.

Have you had any shocking encounter with a customer before?

The only time I have had a shocking encounter with a customer was when I was still under my brother. Some guys came to buy some spare parts and after fully testing it and checking everything, they came back a week after to say they wanted to return everything claiming they were bad.  My boss was not having any of it. He said he could not give them a refund. A fight broke out, it was messy on that day. People in the market had to intervene.

How much do you make in a day?

On days when things are slow and customers do not turn up, I make at least N200,000.

Also Read: Working Lives: The Engineer’s Son Who Became Car Parts Apprentice After Father Died

Read More: Working Lives: Ndi Anambra – The Car Parts Dealers of Lagos

How much do you spend in a day?

I spend nothing less than N10,000 daily for feeding and transportation fare to the shop. I have 5 boys under me, and I feed them daily. That is why I spend so much on feeding in a day. The boys learn under me for a certain period of years, 6 years max, and when I am satisfied that the individual knows the in and out of the trade, I then establish for the person.

What other things do you spend money on?

Plenty things o. Fuel for my car, my kids are at home – buying food stuff at home now that they have been home since March takes a lot of money. I also get to send money to friends and family occasionally.

For how long have you been selling spare parts?

I started selling on my own in 1995, so that is about 25 years now.

Do you have savings and how much do you save in a month? 

I save everyday, apart from Sundays. I save between N40,000 – N50,000 daily.

Of course, you are married?

I am happily married with 6 kids.

Do you have plans to venture into something else and leave this business?

My importation business, I really want to enlarge the business. It is a very tedious business. You need more workers and deep thinkers. I import different things into the country – cars, generators, electrical appliances etc. This is a kind of business that requires deep thinking. It is not just about putting all your money in it, you need people that know the in and out of the business very well. So, once I get the right people on my team, I am good to go for enlarging it. But for now, it is still on a small scale.

What precisely will these deep thinkers be doing for you in the importation business if you enlarge it?

Ok now, here is the thing. My plan when enlarging is to go global. I also want to import cars into other African countries apart from Nigeria. So I need these people on my team, people that have an idea of what PR is, how I can connect with potential clients in other African countries and so on. These people will also be the ones to get the necessary people that will head each office in these African countries. So, you see that there is more to it than just starting. I know God will surely see me through.

So how much do you plan on investing in the car business?

As at now, I have this N50 million all ready to go. But when the business starts and I see it is doing well, I plan on putting an additional N50 million into it again. So I basically have N100 million ready for the business plan.