Facts are emerging on how Chief Vincent Obianodo, a vulcanizer, built a successful multi-billion-dollar transport empire known as Young Shall Grow Motors, the Young Shall Grow group of companies, and other subsidiaries in Nigeria.
In this special report, ENigeria News takes a cursory look into the amazing grass-to-grace story of Chief Vincent Obianodo, founder of Young Shall Grow Motors, a leading transport company in Nigeria. This post contains all that you need to know about one of the highest employers of labour in Nigeria, with over 10,000 staff directly or indirectly under his employ.
Early Life:
Chief Vincent Amaechi Obianodo was born on August 10, 1947 (age 78 years old in 2025) to Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Mary Obianodo of Umeuze Neni, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Although there is no known information about his education, this writer understands that Chief Vincent Obianodo spent his early years in his village before relocating to Kano State, where he learned how to fix tyres as a vulcanizer.
Wife and Children:
Chief Vincent Obianodo is married to Ifeoma Evelyn Obianodo, and they were married for many years (she died in 2017); together their love surmounted and weathered many storms. The couple has four boys and an only daughter, Cynthia Obianodo, who is now married to TV personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. His male children are Obiora Obianodo, Kenechukwu Obianodo, Chiedozie Obianodo, and Chuka Obianodo.
Who is Chief Vincent Obianodo?
A diligent workman who became proficient in his vulcanizing trade before it became rampant as it is today. His talent quickly cleared paths for him, as his clientele grew exponentially with customers frequently queuing up to wait for turns at his local vulcanizer shop located in the ancient northern Nigerian city of Kano.
Venturing into Transport Business
The Oliver Twist in him yearned for more as soon as his vulcanizing business began to expand, and he kept his gaze on the transport sector, where he had noticed a void he felt he could fill. But how could he enter the transportation industry without being familiar with the basics? That must have sparked the impulse that is ingrained in the Igba Boi culture, which is widely believed to be unique to the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria.
Obianodo thus joined the transportation industry a few years later as a bus conductor in order to gain the experience.
Starting Young Shall Grow Motors
He kept working as a bus conductor until 1972, when he saved up enough cash to buy a bus of his own. His bus then began plying the Enugu-Onitsha route in southeastern Nigeria.
He created a more sophisticated transport company in 1973 after moving his activities from Onitsha to Lagos. He began with two locally made Mercedes-Benz 911 buses.
After seven years of operation in Lagos, his fleet grew from two to forty buses. In order to boost his overall income, he also dabbled in couriering goods from one location to another.
Thanks to his exceptional customer service delivery, the business attracted many customers who continuously thronged his office to patronize him.
Moving to Lagos/Scaling Young Shall Grow Motors
By 1978, Obianodo decided to further expand by opening up new interstate routes, plying Lagos to Onitsha, Owerri, and other eastern routes. He also bought a Mercedes-Benz 0362 luxury bus for this purpose.
Young Shall Grow Motors was further bolstered by Chief Obianodo’s smart expansion, and in just six years, the transport company grew its fleet to 150 buses. Due to the rapid success, Chief Vincent took the bold step to incorporate the company in 1984, evolving into a prominent inter-state luxury bus company that could reach all regions of Nigeria.
With more than 1000 modern and luxury buses operating on nearly every route in Nigeria and other west African countries like Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Benin Republic, The Young Shall Grow Motors is currently one of the biggest luxury transport businesses in Nigeria.
Other Subsidiaries owned by Chief Vincent Obianodo MON
Chief Vincent Amaechi Obianodo‘s entrepreneurial prowess is not limited to the transportation industry. Having conquered the difficult transport business terrain, Young Shall Grow Motors evolved, expanding to other areas of business like hospitality, oil and gas, real estate, and entertainment. His son birthed YSG Entertainment, which signed top Nigerian rapper Vector and had Larry Gaaga as his manager.
It is worthy of note that Chief Vincent Obianodo was among the first Nigerians to be licensed as an independent telecoms service provider. He co-founded CELCOM Telecoms, a fixed wireless CDMA telecommunications firm, which he later sold to VODAFONE.
He owns other investments like Vinee Gas Limited, Vinee Oil Marketing Ltd., Amaechi Holdings Ltd., YSG Precision Engineering Co. Ltd., and Rockview Hotels Ltd., Abuja.
Now old and frail, his son, Obiora Vincent Obianodo, has however stepped into his shoes as the group’s managing director, overseeing the conglomerate and its subsidiaries.
