Emma Elekwa
In an era where many young people chase white-collar jobs and urban opportunities, 34-year-old Onyeka Nwokolo has found dignity, prosperity and purpose in a trade many consider old-fashioned.
From his modest bicycle workshop in Otuocha, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nwokolo repairs damaged bicycles, sells spare parts and keeps countless riders on the road.
But beyond the daily clang of tools and grease-stained hands lies a deeper story about family legacy, resilience and fulfilment.
For Nwokolo, the bicycle business is more than a source of income; it is a treasured inheritance from his late father.
“My greatest joy is that I inherited this business from my father,” he says with pride.
Born to parents from Inyi in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nwokolo grew up in Otuocha where his father worked as a civil servant before retiring into full-time bicycle repairs.
Unknown to many, the elder Nwokolo had been fixing bicycles long before his son’s birth, steadily building a reputation that would outlive him.
As a young man, Onyeka initially pursued a different path venturing into electronics. He felt destined for a career far removed from bicycle wheels and repair kits but fate had other plans.
Unlike his siblings, particularly his elder brother who viewed bicycle repair as too menial, Onyeka developed an interest in the trade at the demise of his father. Years later, that decision would become one of the most rewarding of his life.
When his father passed away in 2012 at the age of 75, the responsibility of sustaining the family business fell squarely on his shoulders.
“That this business did not close immediately after my father’s death gives me great satisfaction. Whenever I remember it, I feel fulfilled,” he says.
Over 15 years after taking up the trade, Nwokolo’s story challenges common assumptions about so-called menial jobs.
The bicycle repairer proudly recounts how the business has transformed his life. “Through proceeds from the trade, I have built a house, purchased a car and acquired several motorcycles.
“I can’t even count the number of motorcycles I’ve bought through this business,” he says with a smile.
His workshop has become a destination for customers from far and near.
Highly sought-after expertise
Residents of Otuocha and neighbouring communities rely on his expertise, while patrons travel from Onitsha, Awka, Anyamelum, Igbariam, Nando, Nzam, Mmiata and other towns to purchase bicycles or repair faulty ones.
Ironically, despite the steady demand, Nwokolo remains the only bicycle repairer in the area.
“Many young people are unwilling to embrace the trade because of societal perceptions attached to manual labour.
“I have been unable to train an apprentice despite his years in the business. The work is lucrative, but many youths don’t like it,” he explains.
His experience reflects a broader societal challenge where vocational trades are often undervalued despite their economic potential.
Yet Nwokolo remains convinced that bicycle riding and repair deserve greater recognition.
Beyond earning a livelihood, he passionately promotes cycling as a healthy lifestyle.
According to him, regular cycling helps people stay physically fit, strengthens the body and reduces the likelihood of illness.
“Riding a bicycle keeps one healthy. It is not just transportation; it is also exercise and a sporting activity,” he says.
The challenges
Like every occupation, however, the trade comes with its own challenges.
Nwokolo speaks candidly about the ridicule he sometimes faces from people who consider bicycle repair a dirty or inferior profession.
“The major challenge is the mockery from people who look down on the job,” he says.
Occasional injuries sustained while repairing bicycles and days without sales also test his resolve. Nevertheless, he remains undeterred.
Perhaps what sustains him most is the emotional connection to the trade. To him, bicycle repair is not merely a skill but a calling that requires patience, dedication and divine guidance.
“This job is spiritual. It takes God to learn the technicalities involved. If your heart is not in it, it will be difficult to understand,” he says.
Having experienced both criticism and success, Nwokolo has a simple message for young people searching for their path in life.
“Whatever you are doing, no matter how small it may seem, be committed and dedicated to it.
“Pray that God blesses it and don’t be discouraged by criticism. One day, you will be glad you stayed with it.”
As bicycles continue to roll through the streets of Otuocha, so too does the legacy of a father whose tools never went silent.
Through the hands of his son, the family trade lives on—proving that fulfilment is sometimes found not in chasing new dreams, but in preserving old ones.
