From Truck Pusher to Trailblazer: Chisco Boss Fulfils 15-year Dream at UNIZIK

By Praise Chinecherem

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka has inaugurated the Board of the Chisco Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

The milestone event also saw the official flag-off of a proficiency training programme for the institution’s drivers.

Speaking at the ceremony, Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, announced a new career progression pathway for university drivers.

“With the new training programme and the knowledge to be acquired, university drivers can now rise beyond Grade Level 11 to Level 13,” she declared.

Arinze-Umobi commended Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, founder of Chisco Group, for his generosity and vision, describing the development as “historic” and pledging that the university would maximize the opportunities provided by the institute.

Director of the Institute, Tochukwu Onyeyili, described the inauguration as a major leap forward for both the university and Nigeria’s logistics and supply chain sector.

“The inauguration of our Board today signifies the dawn of a new era—an era of impact, excellence, and sustainability,” Onyeyili said.

He highlighted the institute’s achievements, including full accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), recognition under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and certification as a Skills Training Centre (STC) by the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to him, “these accreditations position the institute as a leading hub for skills development and professional certification in Nigeria, with postgraduate programmes in Logistics and Supply Chain Management already underway.”

Onyeyili praised the Vice Chancellor’s “visionary leadership” and paid tribute to Chief Anyaegbu, whom he described as “a beacon of inspiration for human capital development.”

He also commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and state commissioners for their collaboration in advancing road safety and professional training.

In an emotional speech, Chief Anyaegbu, who founded Chisco Transport Nigeria Ltd in 1981, recalled his humble beginnings as a truck pusher before building Chisco Group into a conglomerate with interests spanning transport, oil and gas, hospitality, courier services, and real estate.

“Today is my happiest day. This is the fulfilment of a 15-year dream,” he said.

“My success was not a function of family wealth. It came through focus, determination, and the commitment to adding value to human lives.

“My life offers an inspiration to the younger ones who might be struggling to find their footing at the moment.”

Anyaegbu, a distinguished fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (International), London, holds the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Penn State University, USA.

He has also undertaken leadership and entrepreneurial programmes across the US, UK, Germany, France, and Brazil.

The inauguration drew prominent personalities in the transport and logistics industry, including the State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mrs Joyce Alexander, Commissioners, members of the university management, and other distinguished guests.