ELIZADE is the brainchild of Chief Michael Ade.Ojo. The company evolved from a vision, apparently made manifest through divine favours; but which Chief Ade.Ojo readily accepted as a mission
The dream that gave birth to Elizade started with the relationship between Chief Ade.Ojo and his late wife Mrs. Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo, when both met as students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the early 60’s. Chief Ade.Ojo who was studying Business Administration as one of the pioneer students of that course then, had vowed to establish and run a business of his own within 10 years of his working life. (He fulfilled the vow within six years). The name, ELIZADE – coined from Elizabeth his wife’s first name and ‘Ade’ hos own middle name instantly struck him as a viable company name.
Thus, in 1968, only a couple of years after he left the University, Chief Ade.Ojo registered a business name, which he called ELIZADE TRADING STORES. It was one of the first business names in Nigeria to have evolved from an inspiration triggered by nuptial union. That inspiration has remained the main propelling force behind Elizade’s successes over the years.
Foresight, determination and self-discipline, which have ruled the relationship of the founding couple, have also been the major pillars supporting the company’s continual growth. Thus in quick succession, ELIZADE TRADING STORES, which handled general textile sales (including underwear) was followed with ELIZADE INDEPENDENT AGENCIES (formed in 1971) with focus on automobile marketing.
This business expanded quickly, with TOYOTA as the main product. In June 1972, the company was formally incorporated as ELIZADE NIGERIA LIMITED and in 1976 the company secured a Federal Government License, along with four other firms, to become direct distributor of TOYOTA vehicles and spare parts in Nigeria. Notably, of the four firms so licensed in 1976, only ELIZADE NIGERIA LIMITED still remains afloat till today.
We started business as an automobile marketing company in 1971, although the company had been registered three years earlier as ELIZADE TRADING STORES handling general textile sales including underwear’s. By 19733, we were incorporated as ELIZADE NIGERIA LIMITED. We evolved to a dealer of only TOYOTA vehicles and spare parts in Nigeria in 1976. Over the years, we have consistently been marketing, selling and servicing TOYOTA vehicles in Nigeria and today, we are clearly ranked as the no. 1 TOYOTA dealer in Nigeria. Our superior performance in sales and service delivery as a result of our years of experience has given us a strong corporate image, which has served as a guarantee of value to our present customers.
We started operations from our Ikeja office in Lagos, Nigeria and later moved to a bigger place in Ogba, also in Lagos in 1979.
We had set up a branch in Akure, Nigeria, in 1976 to cater for our increasing customers. Today, we have 4 branches in Lagos (Plaza – Maryland, Ogba, Lekki, Victoria Island) and several branches across the country: Ibadan, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Uyo, Umuahia, Owerri and Asaba.
In May 1995, our company commissioned an ultra modern corporate head quarters – ELIZADE TOYOTA PLAZA, as six storey building located at 322A, Ikorodu Road, Anthony, Lagos, Nigeria. The PLAZA is centrally positioned on a main route for easy access. It has a double showroom for vehicles display, reflecting our loyalty to the TOYOTA business and our commitment to excellence.
In 1996, we went in partnership with R.T Briscoe (also a recognised TOYOTA dealer in Nigeria) and East Asiatic Company -EAC, Japan, to establish TOYOTA NIGERIA LIMITED in Nigeria. Today, TOYOTA NIGERIA LIMITED is the sole importer and distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria
