Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Chidi Ajaere is the mind behind transforming GIGM into a leading tech-driven logistics company in Africa. His journey shows resilience, innovation, and belief in Africa’s potential.
He changed how people travel, making it easier and better when he took charge of his parents’ transport business. This biography explores Chidi Ajaere’s early and personal life, career, and transformative leadership at GIGM.
Early Life of Chidi Ajaere
Chidi Ajaere was born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria’s south-south capital. His parents, Edwin and Stella Ajaere, founded their transport business in 1998, starting from scratch in Isu LGA, Imo State.
As a kid, Chidi learned about the family business early on. He studied in Benin, Edo State, then went to Covenant University in Ogun State. Later, he continued his studies at Canada’s Niagara College and Australia’s Griffith University.
Tragically, Edwin Ajaere was kidnapped and killed in 2009. After his father’s death, Chidi returned to Nigeria, taking over the company’s reins. This marked the start of his journey, transforming the company into a top-notch technology-driven logistics giant.
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Personal Life of Chidi Ajaere
Chidi Ajaere, the Executive Chairman of the GIG Group, holds his personal life in high regard.
He is happily married to Chantelle Ajaere, and they have been blessed with four children. Despite his demanding role at the GIG Group, Chidi ensures he carves out quality time to be with his family, emphasizing the importance of their bond.
His patriotism towards Nigeria is well-known, reflecting his belief in the country’s untapped potential. Engaging in political endeavors, he actively contributes to Nigeria’s progress, utilizing his influence for its development.
In his leisure time, Chidi finds solace in reading and staying abreast of global trends, advocating a culture of continuous learning among his team at GIGM.
Despite the monumental success, he remains remarkably humble and grounded, serving as an inspiration. His journey, from a young individual taking charge of his family’s business to becoming a thriving entrepreneur, resonates with many, showcasing the possibilities attainable through determination and hard work.
Chidi’s commitment to family, dedication to Nigeria’s advancement, and ethos of lifelong learning depict a persona esteemed by both his colleagues and admirers.
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The career of Chidi Ajaere
Following his father’s passing in 2009, Chidi Ajaere stepped into the role of company administration at the tender age of 21, while his mother, Stella Ajaere, assumed the presidency of the board.
Launching a significant overhaul, Chidi reconstructed the company from its traditional offline setup. Rebranding efforts included altering the logo and typeface, retraining staff, introducing GIGM-branded uniforms, and outfitting the entire fleet with air-conditioning systems.
He invested significantly in recruiting highly skilled personnel. Implementation of preventive measures against vehicle overloading, emphasis on internal discipline, and initiating weekly soft skills training for drivers, or as GIGM terms them, “captains,” were among the reforms. The company’s safety protocols underwent a complete redesign.
Between 2014 and 2016, GIGM developed GIG Mobility, an internal end-to-end transport management solution. This comprehensive system handled tracking, emergency response, finance, operations, and all facets of the business. Additionally, in 2016, they pioneered Nigeria’s maiden booking app for road transport companies.
Chidi’s leadership propelled GIGM into a premier transportation entity in Nigeria. Renowned for transporting multitudes daily across Nigeria and Ghana, GIGM’s evolution into a trailblazing transportation company stands testament to Chidi Ajaere’s visionary strategies and transformative leadership. His innovative reforms have cemented GIGM’s position as a major player in Nigeria’s transportation sector.
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Brief Overview of GIGM’s
Started in 1998 by Edwin and Stella Ajaere, God is Good Motors (GIGM), now called GIG Mobility, began with just one small bus traveling between Lagos and Benin City. They used the slogan “Good is Good.” This small start-up eventually became a big company.
The Ajaere family runs the board all by themselves. Stella Ajaere is the president, Chidi Ajaere is the executive chairman, and there are also Uche Ajaere and Chima Ajaere on the board.
Under Chidi’s stewardship, GIGM underwent a dramatic metamorphosis. The company rebranded its logo and typeface, retrained its workforce, introduced GIGM uniforms, and equipped its entire fleet with air-conditioning systems.
Additionally, GIGM developed an all-inclusive transport management system, GIG Mobility, encompassing tracking, emergency response, finance, and operational aspects.
In 2016, pioneering innovation, they launched Nigeria’s premier road transport booking app, marking a significant stride in the industry.
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In Nigeria and Ghana, GIGM moves lots of people every day in many cities. Using their easy app for iOS and Android, customers can easily book bus tickets, rent cars, and ask for pickups, making travel planning easy for everyone.
The evolution from God is Good Motors to GIG Mobility epitomizes a profound transition toward tech-driven transportation, underscoring Chidi Ajaere’s transformative leadership within the African transport landscape.
His Leadership and Vision
Chidi Ajaere leads by believing strongly in Africa’s abilities and thinking that knowledge, leadership, and technology are vital for business to last. He’s famous for using new, disruptive technology and changing how things work in Nigeria’s transportation and logistics industries.
During the 26th Nigerian Economic Summit, Ajaere put forward a plan to change Nigeria’s course from underdevelopment. He stressed how important it is to do things and keep them going for real progress, splitting the steps into thinking, doing, and making it last.
Ajaere criticized Nigerian leaders for not thinking long-term and said they need to plan for the future. He showed how the GIG Group grew a lot in ten years because they had big plans, highlighting how important planning for the future is to grow.
Talking about changing policies, Ajaere talked about how suddenly the tax on bringing in cars went from 35% to 5%. He said this decision was like changing direction quickly, calling it a “policy somersault.” This made investors in the industry upset because they had used a lot of resources based on the old rules.
Ajaere’s outlined factors for propelling Nigeria toward accelerated progress encompass visionary leadership, quality education, technology, and innovation.
Chidi Ajaere’s way of leading shows how important it is to plan for the long term, to make things happen and keep them going, and to use new, changing technology in businesses. His way of leading can help leaders not just in Africa but in other places too.
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Conclusion
Chidi Ajaere’s journey shows how resilience, innovation, and leadership with vision can change a company. His leadership, focusing on long-term plans and new technology, inspires others in Africa and elsewhere.
His story tells us that having a vision, education, and using new ideas can change industries and make a lasting difference.
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