By Yemisi Izuora
The exploits of young and energetic Nigerian entrepreneur, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ibitoye Yusuf is not known to many Nigerians.
But he is one of the few talented Nigerians whose humble beginning and achievements depicts determination and faith in hard work.
Oriental News Nigeria recently stumbled into a rare testimonial of this industrialist by the Bank of Industry (BoI) showing Yusuf tenaciously held a paltry N10,000 and inspired by the zeal to succeed transformed a micro business into an industrial empire currently valued over $300 million.
How it all Began
Born on the 15 October, 1966 to the royal family of Iwo-Isin in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara state, KAM as his peers refer him, stepped into business in 1987 with just N10,000 an advance he received from his Uncle after he completed his trading apprenticeship.
Oriental News astonishingly gathered that the man today revered in the industrial and political sector had no political connection nor a sophisticated formal education.
But he has ‘uncommon capacity for innovations, aggressive manufacturing, hard work, entrepreneurship and steely determination and innovative local engineer built from scratch the KAM Industries Limited.
This conglomerate with head office in Ilorin, has employed several hundreds of Nigerians directly and created several thousands of indirect jobs with many expatriates is rapidly growing in leaps and bounds.
The business is today a strong contender for the title of Nigeria’s largest wholly indigenous nail, wire and allied products making company.
Apart from the five factories located in Ilorin, where no fewer than a million bags of assorted nails and 1.3 million tonnes of roofing sheets are produced, KAM’s business empire has grown significantly to include a quarry firm in Ilorin, a scrap materials factory in China.
Since 1998, KAM has maintained an unbroken business relationship with the BoI.
In our December special edition to mark our One Year Anniversary, Oriental News Nigeria will publish full testimonial of KAM industries as seen by BoI.
Keep a date with us.