The Visionary Behind the Wheel: Who Owns ABC Transport Company in Nigeria?

​ABC Transport, officially known as Associated Bus Company Plc, is one of Nigeria’s most recognizable and pioneering road transport companies. It is synonymous with luxury bus travel and is widely credited with setting modern standards for long-distance passenger service in the country.

​So, who is the visionary individual behind this massive operation?

​The owner and founder of ABC Transport Plc is Mr. Frank Nneji, OON.

​Frank Nneji: The Architect of Modern Road Transport

​Mr. Frank Nneji established the Associated Bus Company in 1993, driven by a desire to revolutionize the often-unpleasant experience of intercity road travel in Nigeria. The company quickly gained prominence by introducing features that were considered luxurious and innovative at the time, such as air-conditioned buses, on-board restroom facilities, and generally higher standards of comfort and service.

​His success led to ABC Transport making history by becoming the first and, so far, the only road transport company to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), a transition that solidified the company’s public status (Plc).

​While Mr. Frank Nneji remains the founder and a key figure on the Board as a Non-Executive Director, he retired as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer in June 2023. His younger brother, Mr. Jude Nneji, who had served as the Deputy Managing Director, took over the role of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, ensuring a seamless leadership transition within the founding family.

​ABC Transport: More Than Just Passenger Buses

​ABC Transport Plc is a diverse logistics and transportation conglomerate whose services extend far beyond just moving people. The company operates across Nigeria and the West African coast, offering a range of specialized services:

• ​Executive Express: This service provides high-quality, long-distance passenger travel, famously marketed with the tagline “An Airplane on Land.”
• ​Coach West Africa: This service extends their luxury passenger network to international destinations like Ghana, Togo, and the Benin Republic.
• ​Cargo Express: A consolidated cargo and logistics service that facilitates the express delivery of goods of various sizes and weights across the nation and to the West African coast.
• ​ABC Hauls: The company’s haulage division, which provides truck charter services and logistics support to industrial clients, including major cement distributors.
• ​Hospitality Services: ABC Transport is known for incorporating comfort into the travel experience by developing their own terminal amenities, including the City Transit Inn hotels and various restaurants and lounges strategically located at their terminals.
• ​Transit Support Services (TSS) Limited: This subsidiary is involved in vehicle assembly, including Baw vehicles, Shacman, and Forland trucks, supporting their own fleet and the wider Nigerian automotive industry.

​From a humble beginning of just a few leased HiAce buses in the early 1990s, ABC Transport has grown into a major player in Nigeria’s economy, demonstrating the power of entrepreneurial vision and a commitment to quality service in the transportation sector. The company’s journey is a testament to the fact that Nigerian businesses can achieve and maintain international standards of service and operational excellence.