How Samuel Onyishi built Peace Mass Transit from being a conductor to building business empire
Samuel Maduka Onyishi was born in November 1963 in Nsukka, Enugu State, into modest beginnings. He is ethnically Igbo and the first of many children. His father worked as a bricklayer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, but passed away early in Samuel’s life, forcing him into responsibility at a young age.
School was never easy. After his father’s death, financial hardship disrupted his education. He once had just a single pair of uniforms and would wash it midweek, wear it until it faded, and skip assembly when it was too dirty. He did odd jobs, including labouring on construction sites, painting, carpentry, and working as a bus conductor, just to make ends meet.
In one turning moment, the family received a token payment of ₦1,200 as part of a community share when the University of Nigeria compensated host communities. His mother handed it over to Samuel, trusting him with this seed capital. With that, he ventured into trading, buying secondhand clothes from markets in Onitsha and Aba, and traveling overnight by buses to move stocks. He eventually saved about ₦12,000 to move to Kano, where he expanded his trading.
Despite ongoing challenges, Samuel clung to schooling. In 1993, he enrolled in a Diploma program at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. By 1996 he proceeded to complete a degree in Social Work and Community Development, graduating with Second Class Upper. He later earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship through the Institute for Transformative Thought and Learning, affiliated with the University of Arizona, Phoenix.
While still a student in 1994, Samuel launched Peace Mass Transit (PMT) with just two buses. He built steadily, reinvesting profits, stretching resources, and navigating Nigeria’s difficult transport ecosystem. Over time, PMT scaled to a fleet of thousands of buses, serving numerous routes across the country.
His vision did not stop at transport. Several subsidiaries now form part of the Peace Group of Companies, including Peace Petroleum, insurance, microfinance, printing, and logistics. In 2021, PMT acquired a controlling stake of 55.82 percent in C&I Leasing, adding financial services to his portfolio.
In 2020, he embarked on another dream by establishing Maduka University in Agu Ekwegbe, Enugu State. The foundation was laid in early 2020, and by June 2023, the university had secured NUC licensing and opened its doors to students. His aim is to make the institution not just about academics but entrepreneurship, teaching every student to be self-reliant. “Every graduate of Maduka University must leave with both a degree and a skill,” he said at the launch, underlining his vision for a practical education system.
His reputation is tied to integrity. In one widely reported episode, he returned ₦2.2 billion mistakenly credited to his First Bank account. Explaining why, he said, “I was not sure the money was meant for me. Keeping it would have been stealing.”
Among his staff, faith is visible. At PMT headquarters, a daily noon prayer session is observed, with all staff expected to gather. He believes that businesses grounded in integrity and spirituality can withstand storms.
Samuel also holds board positions beyond his businesses. He is a Non-Executive Director at May & Baker Nigeria PLC and has been honoured with national awards, including the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), recognising his business achievements and service.
Samuel moved from carrying fares as a bus conductor, painting and trading secondhand clothes, to building a transport empire and a university.
