If you think of a Nigerian of Igbo extraction with the typical zero-to-hero story and no history of politics attached, the name of Air Peace boss, Allen Onyema would come top on the list with the likes of Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Motors.
For many, Onyema came to the fore in 2019 after he offered the use of his Boeing 777 aircraft free of charge to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa during the Xenophobic attacks. It was a rare act that highlighted not only his patriotism but his humanity, especially considering that over N280 million was set aside for this purpose.
This week’s profile focuses on how Onyema went from his days of jumping buses and trains in search of a job in 1990, to becoming a top employer of labour in Nigeria.
Allen Onyema Biography
Though a native of Mbosi town in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state, Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, was the first of nine children born to his parents in 1964, in Benin City (now Edo state).
He had his early education in several parts of Midwestern Nigeria including St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Azia; Urhobo College, Effurun; and Government College, Ughelli (all in current day Delta state) where he obtained his Higher School Certificate in 1984.
In the same year, he gained admission to read law at the University of Ibadan. He combined academic works with social activism to engender national peace. Onyema graduated in 1987 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.
With no naira to his name, he moved to Lagos in search of greener pastures and a better life. Onyema once recalled that he had to squat with a friend at Oshodi, and trek from Marina to Iddo to join the overcrowded trains back from his daily trips to Lagos Island in search of a chamber to practice his law profession.
He secured a chance with Nwizugbo & Co. Chambers and paved his way in by winning a case that had been labelled ‘a bad case’ in 1990. Within the next two years, he rose to become the Head of Chambers, but had to resign in 1992 to avoid a clash of interest with his real estate deals.
Allen Onyema Family
In his personal life, Allen Onyema is a devoted family man, having embarked on a journey of matrimony with his beloved wife, Alice Ojochiba Onyema, in 1993. Hailing from the Igala ethnic group in Kogi State, Alice complements Onyema’s life with her steadfast support and unwavering love.
Together, Allen and Alice Onyema are blessed with four children who bring joy and fulfillment to their lives. Their eldest child, Nnenna, is followed by their first son, Chinonso, and their second son, Obinna. Completing the family unit is their youngest son, Ugochukwu, who adds vibrancy and vitality to their household.
Discovering Allen the Entrepreneur
As part of his ways to make ends meet, Onyema earned some commissions from referring and connecting some buyers to get land in Alagbado, and this gradually ushered him into the world of business. In an interview with Late Ubong King on Thinkation, he recounted the story;
“When I was squatting in Oshodi, I had these garage boys that were my friends and one happened to belong to a family that had this large expanse of land in Alagbado. He took me there, showed me their properties and I helped them to bring some buyers. A week later, after I got the employment, the entire family sent for me, and gave me about 400 plots of land in Alagbado to sell on their behalf at N5000 per plot.”
As against the previous arrangement, there would be no commission but Onyema was at liberty to sell the plots at whatever price he desired and keep the extra. He had some survey and valuations done, and decided to sell the plots at N10,000 each, giving him 100% profit. For someone on a monthly salary of N500, every plot of land sold would fetch him his 10-months’ salary. It was easy for Onyema to recognise this opportunity as his ticket to riches.
Bought 87 plots for himself
He sold the first 6 plots, ran series of adverts on National Concord Newspaper after which the sales went wild. He took a friend’s advice and bought over 87 plots for himself which he sold for more than N30,000 per plot, years later when the value had appreciated. Onyema also bought other plots of land at Lekki axis, as he progressed.
From squatting in Oshodi, Onyema moved to Airport Hotel Ikeja with the intention of staying for a couple of weeks till he got a suitable house, but ended up staying for two years before he moved out. It was one of those acts he described as “stupidity” resulting from youthful exuberance.
The real estate business progressed so fast that he then decided to float Allen Onyema & Company to handle his real estate concerns. When he resigned from the chambers in 1992, he also went ahead to float Onyema & Co. to continue his law practice. “I was making a lot of money but I was also working really hard,” he said.
Import and trades
Another business which Onyema floated at the same time was the Continental Business Links Limited, an import trade outfit. He recalls that he set up the business to play the middleman role between traders in Nigeria who wished to import goods, and foreign manufacturers looking to get their goods into the Nigerian market.
He started with a trade exhibition where the Korean manufacturers met with local traders and established business connections. With both parties paying commissions to Continental Business Links for their trades and transactions, it did not take long to get the business off the ground.
Later again, he started Every Tide limited, an imports and trade business that imported electronics and sold in wholesale containers to traders. Since many traders were eager to avoid the hassles and risks of importing themselves, Onyema had a ready market waiting to lunge at his goods.
Starting Air Peace
For Onyema, starting an indigenous airline was not about making profit, but about creating jobs. A friend told him that one commercial Boeing 737 could give jobs to a thousand persons and he decided that commercial aviation was a much nobler venture than leaving his money to seat idle in the banks.
As he noted in an interview, “If it was about profit, I would have kept the money in the banks and be getting double digit interests on my investments. My businesses were making millions but they were not creating the kind of jobs I wanted them to create. There were people I gave money to start some business but they come back some months later with stories, so somebody suggested aviation to me.”
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He first purchased three Domier jets in 2013, before realising that they could only be used for charters and even though they could fetch him a lot of money, only a few staff were needed.
“I had to go back to get Boeing 737 for commercial aviation, and that was how I started with 7 planes, the first time ever that a Nigerian airline would be starting with more than 2 airplanes.”
Despite a two-year delay resulting from the absence of an operating license, Air Peace has grown to become the largest indigenous airline in whole of West and Central Africa with competitive fares on both passenger and charter services.
Other activities
Onyema’s choice of the name ‘Air Peace’ stemmed from his interest in peace-engendering activities even back in his university days; and so it naturally adds up that most of his non-business activities are directly connected with this interest.
He initiated, organised and held the “1st Nigeria forever project” in 2005 – a project geared towards the promotion of broad nationalism as against ethnic nationalism.
In April 2007, Allen Onyema became the second African ever to be appointed to the Executive Board of The Global Nonviolence Conference Series Inc. USA, alongside notable world leaders like Hon. Dr. Andrew Young and Suarez Ramos. As a member of this board, he won for Nigeria, the hosting rights for Global Conference on Nonviolence and Peace in Abuja from December 3-5, 2007.
Allen Onyema Net Worth
Allen Onyema is a lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist who has always advocated for Nigeria’s unity, despite the fact that the country appears to be divided with no hope of unity.
He is constantly representing the country in positive news, he was named “Conflict Resolution Expert,” and in order to unite the country, he has tried his hardest to locate his business in every tribe found within Nigeria.
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Allen Onyema owns a real-estate business called Allen Onyema & Company and he also runs an import trade outfit called Continental Business Links Ltd.
Allen Ifechukwu Onyema is the owner and CEO of Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading indigenous airline. Air Peace was founded in 2013 but took off on 24th October 2017 due to some hassles, its headquarters in Lagos State. Air Peace is known to provide transport service by air to the major cities in Nigeria as well as other countries such as Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, United Arab Emirates, USA, Gambia, and currently to UK.
Allen Ifechukwu Onyema’s net worth is an estimated to be around $300 million according to sources.
Award and Recognition
In recognition of his commitment to the common good, the 10 towns in his native local government conferred him the traditional title of Ide (Pillar) of Ihiala. Also, some of his other awards include;
- Africa Leadership Merit Award, Africa International News Magazine, 2006
- Hope for Humanity Award, Rotary Club, 2007
- Martin Luther King Global Award for Pioneering Non-violence Education in West Africa, 2007
- Hosting Rights for Global Conference on Nonviolence and Peace, 2007
- Investiture as an Ambassador of Change, Non-governmental Organisation, Centre of Change, 2019
- For demonstration of compassion and meeting a need, L&M Leader of the Month Award, 2019
Entrepreneurial Lessons From The Life Of Allen Onyema
Diligently pursue your dream
A man can only be termed successful after he has accomplished his dreams, and this is what Onyema has done. He knew there was more to leading a great life than living under his parental guidance and working in his comfort zone. Instead he wanted to become a successful lawyer on his own terms. It was in the pursuit of this path that he met the friend that introduced him to real estate. Real estate became the industry where he made his fortune.
Also, entrepreneurs need to note that it takes extra effort to achieve a feat and only those who can pay the price eventually becomes successful.
Take hold of opportunity
Allen Onyema became known to the masses after he evacuated Nigerians in South Africa as a result of the xenophobic attack. The gesture has widely been spoken about by Nigerians both at home and in diaspora. Not only that, he has written his name in the sand of time.
We should be our brothers keeper. Your wealth has no meaning and purpose if you fail to create an impart with it. Use every opportunity to help others because our greatness lies in helping others rise.
Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey, let us help you go through it with our services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Allen Onyema?
Allen Ifechukwu Onyema CON is a Nigerian lawyer and entrepreneur. He is the chief executive officer of Air Peace, which he established in 2013.
Where is Allen Onyema from?
He was born in March 1964 in Benin City to Michael and Helen Onyema as the first of nine children. He hails from Mbosi in Ihiala Local Government Area Anambra.
Does Air Peace fly from Lagos to London?
Air Peace, Nigeria’s flag carrier, commenced its Lagos-London flight services on Saturday. The airline announced the development on its X page on Saturday, expressing delight for the milestone.
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