I have no regret I didn’t go to University – Abutex MD, Iloanya

Abuchi Vincent Iloanya sits atop a multi million naira company, Abutex Food Equipment company, a company reputed to be Nigeria’s leading industrial kitchen equipment company without holding any university degree.

While many of his peers were getting their tertiary education, the Anambra State-born businessman was under apprenticeship for six years. But it wasn’t his fault he didn’t get a tertiary education as he explained in a recent interview.

“The reason I didn’t go to university was because of financial problems. My parents couldn’t afford sending me to further my education, so I have to sacrifice myself for my siblings. Of course I felt bad then but now, all my friends and secondary school mates that went to university and have graduated are begging me to give them any job position in my company.

“So, with what I am seeing now I will say no regret. No regret at all. In fact I thank God for making it this way because I don’t know what life would look like if I’d struggled to go to university. While those my friends are still struggling to graduate from university, I have built house for my parents, bought car for my dad and achieved so many things for myself too. Now they have graduated and no work for them, in fact most of them now look up to me. So, no regret at all I didn’t further my education,” he said.

Iloanya started Abutex Food Equipment company four years ago after serving apprenticeship of 6 years under a master, who taught him the rudiments of the business. When he graduated he took the business a step further by applying digital tools to market his products.

Right now, he is the number one supplier to many big bakeries, restaurants and supermarkets. Some are: Nuts About Cake in Lekki; Bibby Supermarket in Surulere; AJ Take Away in Warri; Tribet Supermarket in Lekki Phase1; Nellies Food in Lekki; George Bread in Abuja, Montana Cubana in Ikeja and Zkitchen in Victoria Island, among many others.

Iloanya, the Managing Director of Abutex Food Equipment company was born in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria on March 11, 1992. He is a native of Awkuzu in Oyi Local Goverment Area of Anambra State.

His company, Abutex Food Equipment company is Nigeria’s leading company on industrial kitchen equipment, with headquarters in Alaba International Market and an ultra modern showroom in Lekki Phase 1, all in Lagos.

He has also won many awards as an entrepreneur, including Abutex’s 2013 quality system certification. His company, Abutex has developed competences in a wide range of world standard quality products,complete services and self-innovation. From mixers to ovens,cooking equipment to refrigeration, Abutex Food Equipment has carved a niche for itself,

He finished his secondary school in 2008 at Showlight International School, Onitsha Anambra State but couldn’t go for university education because of financial difficulties.