Sani Dauda; Nigerian businessman who through his own private company, ASD Motors, bided for and acquired PAN which assembles the enduring motor vehicle brand in Kaduna. With Peugeot’s acquisition, Dauda’s first priority was to re-shape the company’s vision and re-orientate the staff to achieve greater efficiency. In this regard, the company invests in technology and new product line — by 2008. His company was before and after this time, one of several accredited Peugeot distributors in Nigeria.
Born in 1952, the Peugeot chairman is one of the surviving children of a renowned moslem scholar, Dauda Mohammed of Soba Local Government, Kaduna State. Dauda left the Nigerian Army in 1977 for the world of business. He had to start from the scratch, learning the rudiments of business at Doma Motors in Kaduna. For someone used to giving orders to other people, it was a whole new experience. He recorded his first business success in 1986 when he floated ASD Motors in Kaduna and started distributing Peugeot vehicles, later acquiring about 55 per cent majority shares in PAN. From its humble beginnings, ASD Motors grew into a conglomerate, with several companies involved in bakery, farming and information technology. Dauda holds the Garkuwan Zazzau Bahha title in the Zazzau Emirate Council. In recognition of his business acumen, he has been honoured by several tertiary institutions. He was also honoured by the federal government with a national merit award of Member of the Order of the Niger, MON. in 2005 1.
1. TELL October 15, 2007