Rising beyond the challenge of funding a Master’s degree programme, Chianumba, struck gold by turning to an unlikely source of inspiration – Okpa, a traditional delicacy, prepared with a type of beans from his Eastern Nigerian heritage to a viable business.
By Eberechi Obinagwam
In 2018, Chianumba found himself struggling to complete his Master’s degree program due to financial constraints. Rather than giving up, he decided to take the bull by the horn and started a business to support himself. With his first degree in the kitty, he declared, “I am more than equipped to get the best out of life with or without a Master’s degree, God being my help.”
Rising beyond the challenge of funding a Master’s degree programme, Chianumba, struck gold by turning to an unlikely source of inspiration – Okpa, a traditional delicacy, prepared with a type of beans from his Eastern Nigerian heritage to a viable business.
Originally called Okpa Nsukka, or Okpa Waawaa, the food brand has risen to a special delicacy commanding respect and patronage beyond Igbo land.
He started ABACUS Foods, an Okpa business that would become a symbol of his resilience and determination.
“In 2018. I was having a challenging time trying to finish my Master’s degree program. Cash was not forthcoming and I had to start something for myself to survive.
“Starting up the Okpa business was more like an inspiration. I had tried some businesses before then but the Okpa stood out for me when I tried it. It was more sustainable than any business I have done. It could feed still be eatable even if I did not finish selling any day’s production.
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“Wisdom from God made me stick it out. Then again, I was solving real problems. People around here love original Okpa but can hardly get it, except they travel to or through Enugu. That story needed a new narrative. Now, some folks say my Okpa quality tops the charts, and not just that, they now buy my products in bulk and make their trips, even to abroad,” he said.
Challenges
The journey wasn’t easy. Chianumba faced numerous challenges, including securing investment, navigating the Okpa business, and overcoming negative stereotypes. Many people saw his venture as menial, especially for an educated individual. But Chianumba refused to let that hold him back. “I beat that stereotype too,” he said, “and discovered that out of every one naysayer, there are a thousand more supporters of my new venture. Challenges are always plenty for beginners in the business space and life in general,” he told our correspondent.
“God helped me solve the two major problems of investment and how to go about the Okpa business by giving me an idea of whom to meet (a neighbor) for a ten-thousand-naira (N10,000) loan. He didn’t hesitate to give me the money.
“I got an idea to call a junior colleague who is doing well in Abuja (4G by name) to share the idea. Within a few minutes of call, he encouraged me to package it and go and give samples to office women and tell them what I do. If they call me back for more supplies, then I am good to go. But with N10,000 budget, I didn’t have the luxury of sampling anything free,” he recalled with laughter.
With the loan of N10,000 from a neighbor, Chianumba started small but dreamed big. He observed that the Okpa food was self-sustaining in nature, which encouraged him to replicate, reinvest, and keep going. Today, ABACUS Foods is thriving, and Chianumba is proud of the progress he has made.
“I stayed encouraged,” he said, “because when God is with a man, who can be against him? Many people are now seeing the possibilities one can achieve with God.”
Unlike some other businesses, Chianumba had less stress penetrating the market. He said his customers came on referrals: “People bought my products from day one and we have been growing ever since. People bought from me for different reasons; some bought because they had not seen a guy selling Okpa, others because I am educated, while some bought because of my neatness, courtesies and respect, boldness, etc, and while they buy, I encourage them to tell their experience to others and they did. That’s how my story kept spreading till today. Yet the market is still very huge and I believe God that with the right investments, we will keep growing beyond bounds.”
ABACUS Foods CEO, also disclosed that lack of access to finance for business is a major limitation for Nigerian businesses. “There’s a serious barrier to money access and this is hindering investments and growth in the business world at any level in the country,” he said.
On Japa syndrome
Chianumba said countries do not develop by their citizens ‘japa-ring,’ noting that the developed countries today were once very bad. “They were worse than the Nigeria of today and it was their people who changed the narratives,” he said.
The young entrepreneur who has started making success in his business by integrating packing and supply of original Okpa flour in their array of services, said he has no plans of relocating from Nigeria because he believes in the country so much and knows that God has good plans for the country.
“To travel is good but for me, it’s good to ensure its part of God’s plan for you before you engage in it; because it is said that “a lizard in Nigeria can never become an alligator abroad,” he added.
Chianumba Chukwuemeka is a graduate of Agricultural Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State. He has served in several positions both in religious and secular (political) organizations.
He said his experiences as a sales representative in a major poultry farm where he learned about financial management, people management, marketing etc after his service in 2013, have helped him in his life and business.