Connect with us

Business

Meet The First Nigerian To Acquire Toyota And Ford Dealerships In USA

Published

on

Meet The First Nigerian To Acquire Toyota And Ford Dealerships In USA

Faith Toyota and Ford Franchise/Dealership in Westminster, State of Vermont, United States of America is a unique and historical car dealership shop. It is a legacy investment in the automobile industry in the United States of America because there are only 1,500 Toyota and Lexus dealerships in United States of America. Out of which 30 are owned and operated by African Americans (blacks). This multi-million dollar automobile shop is owned by a Nigerian diaspora from Imo State, Southeast of Nigeria.
Mr Faith Mba is a Nigerian that emigrated to United States of America barely seventeen years ago. He left the shores of Nigeria in 2002 to The Netherlands. After two years stay in Holland, he relocated to The United States of America.
According to Autonew.com , (the leading source of news about the global automotive industry), Mr Faith Mba’s journey to owning a Toyota-Ford dealerships in Vermont spanned three continents, beginning at a street market in Nigeria where he hawked women’s clothing with his mother. He worked for a few years in the Netherlands, where he had his first stint in automobile industry, customer service and public relations. Mr Mba also utilized the opportunity while in Holland to develope his proficiency in both Dutch and German languages.
In 2004, he relocated to the North-Eastern town of Spofford, New Hampshire to join his wife. His inherent abilities enhanced his adaptability in his new environment. It was here that Mba, knowing where his passion lies, secured a job in a Kia and Ford dealership shop in the town as a trainee paid salesman.
His venture into the automotive industry as a trainee staff was greeted with scepticism at least from his new American family. However, he was focussed and convinced that he was in the right occupational environment.
He reminisces on his mother’s prophetic counsel that if he pursued a career in sales, life will go well for him which fired up his conviction. In addition, his Nigerian ethnic group, ‘Igbo’ are exceptionally gifted in making a living out of trade and commerce. Equipped with his inner assurances, he started to develop a vision to become a prominent player someday in the automotive industry.
Faith was eventually promoted to a manager within few years of working in the Company due to his prodigy in the job. Mba continued to work his way up, eventually working as finance director at Toyota and Ford in Greenfield, Mass. He later accepted a position as finance director at a car dealership in Boston, commuting 228 miles (367 Kilometers) a day, before deciding to open his own business.
“America is a wonderful place, and if you work hard and stay focused you will reap success,” said Mba. “You don’t have to own a business, but you must have a good work ethic with whatever you do.”
His growth in the automotive industry was not a smooth ride being a black immigrant with strong accent, not everyone wanted to do business with him. He faced the tough reality as he recalled one instance while working at a Ford store in Brattleboro, Vermont, when a man came to check out a pickup. The man brought his mother to co-sign, Mba said, so he was ready to buy. Mba greeted them and retrieved the vehicle, but after a test drive, they abruptly left. The manager was upset, thinking Mba had blown the deal. Then the phone rang.
The man said he wanted the truck but didn’t want to buy from “the Black guy.” Instead of turning him away, the store had another salesperson handle the deal. The buyer’s wife apologized, as did Mba’s manager. The unpleasant experience instead of being an impediment to his vision, invigorated, stimulated and emboldened him to stay focussed. “The issue of acceptance was there at the beginning,” he said, “but you have to find a way to fight through.”
In 2016, Mba acquired Ford motor Company dealership in Brattleboro near New Hampshire.
In 2018, he acquired a dualed Toyota-Ford showroom Westminster, Vermont and sold his single-point Ford store. He is currently constructing a 40,000-square-foot (12,200 square meters) facility to comfortably house his Ford and Toyota franchises.
Mr Mba is happily married and grooming his 14-year-old son, who works in the office twice a week, to take over the business in the future.
“Don’t look for that perfect dealership, don’t look for that perfect city,” Mba said. “We cannot have everything at the same time. You can grow to make it perfect, you can grow to make it your home. Take that faith and run with it. Follow your instincts and look for a place where you can grow.”, Faith advises prospective automotive industry investors especially the minority group.
Faith Toyota and Ford dealerships in Westminster has severally surpassed it’s sales projection. With staff strength of 100 permanent workers and about 50 part-time workers, Faith Toyota and Ford is an ‘American dream’ come true.
Remarkably, Mba is giving back to the Community that welcomed him and gave him the opportunity to be what he is today. He has created numerous jobs for the Community and established window of job opportunities for them. “The people are very friendly and very nice, and the community has been great,” said Mba. “I’ve made sure that all of our employees are locals that live in Vermont or New Hampshire. We are still looking for more people because sales are so impressive, and service is so busy that we need more mechanics.”
Mba has gone out of his way to engage with the community by volunteering Faith’s Toyota-Ford as a United Way sponsor, and has been welcomed by the Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce.
Back in Nigeria, he is constructing a public Primary School in his village in Imo State. He has other outreach projects he intend to execute in Nigeria in the coming days.
Meet The First Nigerian To Acquire Toyota And Ford Dealerships In USA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR0fiIlW00M&t=20s

Business

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Published

on

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.

Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.

The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.

Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.

The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.

 

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

 

The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.

 

Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.

 

The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.

 

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.

 

Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.

 

The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.

 

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Continue Reading

Bank

Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar

Published

on

Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar

 

In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.

 

 

On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.

 

 

The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.

 

 

With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.

 

 

Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19

It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.

 

 

Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.

Continue Reading

Business

GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%

Published

on

GTCO increases GTBank’s Paid-Up Capital to ₦504 Billion

GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%

 

Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.

 

In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.

For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.

Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”

Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.

With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.

About HabariPay

HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:

GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending