Nnamdi Ezeigbo CEO Of SLOT Infinix And Tecno Business
Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Opistorincos(m): 5:00pm On Feb 14, Nnamdi Ezeigbo is the founder and CEO of SLOT systems limited, and also the brain behind TECNO and INFINIX, the fastest selling phone brands in Nigeria. Many people are not even aware that these popular phone brands are the brainchild of a fellow Nigerian. His success story is a very remarkable one.
Nnamdi Ezeigbo studied Electrical Electronics Engineering at the Yaba College of Technology in 1988, and got a Higher National Diploma (HND), before serving his country, Nigeria, during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year at Guinness Nigeria PLC, in 1996.
After completing his youth service year, Nnamdi Ezeigbo tried to no avail to secure a job with a company in Nigeria. With no promising signs of any potential employment, he went on to work as an apprentice learning how to repair computers. After which he launched out on his own to repair computers for individuals. Since he didn’t have any cash at the time, he had to squat with a friend of his at Ikeja, who owned a book store. His customer base grew, largely because of his honesty and the premium he placed on customer service.
The mutual trust and good relationship with his customers, was what gave him his first break in business. One day, an old customer he knew from his days as an apprentice, came to his little shop to see him. He told him he would love him to continue fixing his computers, but would prefer he operated from a larger and more serene environment. To help him out, the customer brought some printers for Nnamdi to sell, from which he used the proceeds to setup a new shop for himself. He paid for the store at a then price of 180,000 Naira (He later bought that same store many years later for 100 million Naira).
From his new store, he began to sell computers. As his business grew, a lot of customers started to both demand for Slot stores in areas close to their vicinities, and to ask if they sold mobile phones. With a keen eye to spot opportunity when it presents itself, Nnamdi Ezeigbo immediately expanded his business to also cover the sale of mobile phones.With no real knowledge on how to manage a growing business, Nnamdi decided to enrol for an MBA program at the prestigious Lagos Business School. He also began to attend many workshops on entrepreneurship, which helped to sharpen his business acumen and develop his legendary entrepreneurial prowess.
During this process, he and his team decided to take a 5 year route to build a strong reputation for their brand. By the time the projection had elapsed, the Slot brand name was the most reputable mobile phone retailer in the whole country.
The rise of telecommunication networks created many opportunities in the Nigerian market. Their poor services caused many Nigerians to purchase more than one mobile phone, so they could try a different network when the other was bad. Nnamdi realised this problem early on, and approached Nokia in a bid to convince them to manufacture dual sim phones for Nigerians, so they would carry only one mobile phone at a time instead of two. They refused to listen because, seeing people carry more of their phones meant more phone sales for them.
According to his interview with Nairametrics, Nnamdi said;
“So I went to China and got a guy who had worked with a company called Bird then. Bird was into phones but they got choked and lost market share. I met with the guy and asked the guy to let us do something. I came with that name and I registered it here and brought the guy to Nigeria. And that was the high point of our business. We came together and I designed the first Tecno phone, Tecno T101. We started it but the market did not accept it and we also had problem with the dual SIM not working together and we had to make corrections and we came with Tecno 201 and that was a bit accepted by the market. But we were basically giving marketers on credit to sell the phones and then pay us later. And I was funding it all alone. Since I was funding it alone, we were finding it difficult to get the right quantity to sell until the market started accepting us. What I now did was to make them pay in advance, I mean the dealers. So we started using their money to order the products. This was around 2007. The introduction of Tecno brand was the turning point of our business. Like I said, Tecno is my baby and we kept improving. I knew a day would come when the middle class would accept Tecno. Initially, it was a phone for low income people but based on improvement and upping our game, the middle class had to accept it and when the economy went down in 2008 that helped Tecno to move to the top. Since purchasing power had dropped, they had to go for something that have same capabilities but cheaper. So with N15,000, you could buy a Smartphone and thank God for 3G network. The advent of 3G network actually helped Tecno to move up. So students who could not afford to buy phones in the range of N30,000 could buy one for N15,000 and enjoy features of Smartphone like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and so on.”
Today, Nnamdi Ezeigbo is a phenomenal success story in Nigeria and indeed Africa. From a humble repair man, he has built a multi-million dollar company and one of the most recognizable brand in Nigeria.
There are many lessons in this story.
Pay attention to your business no matter how small it is today, it can be the seed of a global company tomorrow.
Integrity in business is extremely important, it will open doors for you, and speak for you, even when you are not present.
When you see opportunities, grab it and run with it.
Keep improving your products and services every day. Nnamdi kept improving Tecno steadily until it became an accepted brand in Nigeria.
Most importantly, the greatest investment you will make is an investment in yourself. As a business man, if you can afford a business school, enroll.
Don’t waste your time crying over the economy of the nation, there is nothing you can do about it, but there is a lot you can do about your own personal economy.
Improve yourself and your personal economy will improve. At least, let us all start from somewhere.
/crown-feature-meet-nnamdi-ezeigbo-ceo-of-slot-infinix-and-tecno/ Likes 24 SharesRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Nobody: 5:02pm On Feb 14, Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Nobody: 5:18pm On Feb 14, lucky 4 him, he shld keep d vibe up
2 Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by sod09(m): 5:26pm On Feb 14, Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Nobody: 5:26pm On Feb 14, Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by masseratti: 6:06pm On Feb 14, Nice,may God continue to bless you,lesson learned here.
19 Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Odogwuskido(m): 6:29pm On Feb 14, Nice one. Learnt something
11 Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by PoisonedOne: 6:57pm On Feb 14, Slot is not the owner of Tecno and infinix. The owner of tecno owns infinix too; it was initially owned by Zenco, but now they are owned by the guy that owns zinox computers, he is the same man that owns youdala stores and plenty other companies in Naija. He is from Imo state.
24 Likes 3 SharesRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Built2last: 7:21pm On Feb 14, Like 2 SharesRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by SonOfEl(m): 7:39pm On Feb 14, > PoisonedOne:
Slot is not the owner of Tecno and infinix. The owner of tecno owns infinix too; it was initially owned by Zenco, but now they are owned by the guy that owns zinox computers, he is the same man that owns youdala stores and plenty other companies in Naija. He is from Imo state.
Oga, keep your tales by moonlight. Ezeigbo the CEO of Slot is the co-owner of tecno and infinix alongside the Asia company that designed it using his specifications. Imo state koor….pls celebrate the umuahia IGBO NIGERIAN.
118 Likes 7 SharesRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Idydarling(f): 7:39pm On Feb 14, a man who knows what he wants… and works to getting it
3 Likes 1 ShareRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Masterclass32: 7:54pm On Feb 14, Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by SonOfEl(m): 9:54pm On Feb 14, OP Mr Ezeigbo is NOT the sole owner of infinix and tecno. He is a co-owner. Though infinix and tecno are his brainchild at the very beginning. He is however, the sole owner of slot holdings.
23 Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by loveymom(f): 10:29pm On Feb 14, And this man na my paternal uncle but we don’t know each other. Wish I could get to know him but that will be tracking him in the viilla. He has done well for his people (nsukwe) at least the road he constructed for them is wonderful.
6 Likes 1 ShareRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by gnykelly(m): 11:29pm On Feb 14, Thank God for his life. this is one of the real IBO business person worth learning from just like Dora akunyili. how I wish the ‘developer of Lagos’ and ‘hardworking business people’, will stop disgracing their race upandan
12 Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by olumide81(m): 1:19am On Feb 15, Correct guy, your namesake couldn’t find anything good in this country he called a ‘zoo’ . I am glad u were able to identify opportunities inherent in the zoo.
30 Likes 2 SharesRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by AgreatMan: 5:09am On Feb 15, Truly inspiring from a man who thinks big and never stopped dreaming. I might not be a fan of his products but I totally respect a mind like that. He has control of the production, he should also stamp his authority on distribution.
I kept wondering why I don’t see Techno or Infinix products in any other place except West Africa, now I have my part of my answers.
The only hidden part of the article was that it failed to detail how the man was able to finance such a business. I am sure many would like to know.
Buying a car for Dbanj is a complete waste if you ask me.
Click like if you think EZEIGBO deserves a National Honor. I think Nigerians should reserve the right to nominate people for National awards and not some “committee.” These are men we should be celebrating. Likes 3 SharesRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by PhonePlanet(m): 5:33am On Feb 15, i think slot, tecno and infinix are 3 diffrent companies
Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by SonOfEl(m): 6:06am On Feb 15, 2017 > loveymom: And this man na my paternal uncle but we don’t know each other. Wish I could get to know him but that will be tracking him in the viilla. He has done well for his people (nsukwe) at least the road he constructed for them is wonderful. Yes, he is from nsukwe community of Ubakala in Umuahia-South 2 Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by DesChyko: 6:34am On Feb 15, 2017 If not that I’ve read of Tecno and Infinix (Transsion), I would have believed all of this hook, line and sinker. 17 Likes Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Taeewo(m): 6:49am On Feb 15, 2017 Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Nobody: 7:50am On Feb 15, 2017 And senseless IPOB youths will ask this man to leave all these investments scattered in all parts of the country and move to the East to join them in their secession plan 25 Likes 2 SharesRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by MidolsStudent(m): 7:52am On Feb 15, 2017 What are my most educated brothers doing na? 16 Likes 1 ShareRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Barmmyshoes(f): 7:52am On Feb 15, 2017 Nice one. One day, I’ll also be celebrated this way. On the way to get celebrated already. You all will all see ”Meet Mariam, CEO BARRMYSHOES” It’ll be on this same nairaland and beyond. I believe!!! Goodmorning all. Wish everyone a stressfree day! check my signature for your stylish and quality footwears. 33 Likes 1 ShareRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by dorry62(f): 7:52am On Feb 15, 2017 Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Abdulazeez007(m): 7:52am On Feb 15, 2017 > 2kaybiel: lucky 4 him, he shld keep d vibe up ans d some igbos are fytn for IPOB Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by Abdulazeez007(m): 7:53am On Feb 15, 2017 > 2kaybiel: lucky 4 him, he shld keep d vibe up and some igbos are fytn for IPOBRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by AntiWailer: 7:53am On Feb 15, 2017 > DesChyko: If not that I’ve read of Tecno and Infinix (Transsion), I would have believed all of this hook, line and sinker. Lol dnt mind them. 3 Likes 1 ShareRe: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by seguno2: 7:54am On Feb 15, 2017 Steadily making his mark in this tight economy and harsh operating environment. Kudos!!! Re: Nnamdi Ezeigbo – CEO Of SLOT, Infinix And Tecno by acunon: 7:54am On Feb 15, 2017 I wish to grow more just like this and succeed further in life. AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7 Likes