…Seeks Tínubu, Sanwo-Olu’s Support
Nnamdi Ojiego
Saheed Ashogbon, a Nigerian entrepreneur based in the United States, has declared his intention to invest $100 million across all 36 states of Nigeria. He is seeking the support of state governors to facilitate this ambitious venture.
A US-based Nigerian entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Asper Online Auction, Otunba Saheed Ashogbon, has announced plans to invest $100 million in an online auto auction platform in Nigeria.Unveiling his plans to the media in Lagos, Ashogbon, who has
lived in the US for over 30 years, explained that his return to Nigeria was in
response to President Bola Tinubu’s call on Nigerians in the diaspora to come
home and support the government with their investments.
He said: “I want to introduce a business that will benefit
the country. I propose to bring an auction platform from the USA to sell all
disused and abandoned vehicles across the country.
“The total funds earmarked for this project in Nigeria
amount to $100 million. We intend to have our headquarters in Lagos and
establish branches across all 36 states of the federation.”
Ashogbon stated that research conducted by his the company
had identified over 500,000 indiscriminately parked and abandoned vehicles in
Lagos alone.
The entrepreneur noted that his investment would help remove
abandoned vehicles and makeshift dealers from the roadsides, generate
employment for thousands of youths and provide tax revenue for the government.
He added that aside from helping the government ensure the
roads are free from unnecessarily parked cars, it would also serve as a
platform where owners of ‘end of life cars’ could quickly get a buyer for their
abandoned vehicles.
The Asper boss disclosed that he has written to President
Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu seeking their support for the
venture, stressing that he requires about 50 hectares of land in Badagry, Epe,
and Ikorodu to commence operations in Lagos, where he hopes to clear abandoned
vehicles from the roads.
“At the start of the business, 20 youths from each of the 57
local governments and local council development areas will be employed
immediately for different already mapped duties. All we are waiting for is the
government’s buy-in by providing 50 hectares of land in Badagry, Epe, and
Ikorodu for the commencement of operations.
“I will need 50 hectares of land in Badagry, Epe, and
Ikorodu to commence operations in Lagos. We have found that there are 500,000
abandoned vehicles on the streets and roads of Lagos,” he stated.