HOW WE HUSTLE HERE! I COMPARE ABA MAN AND NNEWI MAN: WHO HUSTLE MORE?

 

Aba Man vs Nnewi Man: Who Hustles More?

As a Nigerian, I have come to discover that in Nigeria, hustle is more than just a word—it’s a way of life. It embodies resilience, determination, and the relentless pursuit of success, no matter the odds. Across the country, different regions and communities have carved a name for themselves in this regard. But when it comes to conversations about true hustlers, two names stand out: the Aba man and the Nnewi man.

Both are from the southeastern part of Nigeria, both are Igbo, and both are renowned for their business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. But who hustles more? To answer this, we need to dig deep into their history, culture, environment, and achievements.

GET THIS INSURANCE!

1. Understanding the Aba Man’s Hustle

Aba, located in Abia State, is often referred to as the commercial nerve center of the East. The hustle culture here is shaped by the city’s rough, crowded, and competitive environment. Aba men are known as:

• Innovators – They can replicate and reinvent almost any product, from clothes and shoes to electronics and household items.

• Survivors – Many Aba businessmen started with little or no capital but turned their stories into tales of breakthrough.

• Street-smart entrepreneurs – Their ability to negotiate, improvise, and market goods is unmatched.

The Aba Market Influence

The Ariaria International Market—often called the “China of Africa”—is the heartbeat of Aba’s hustle. Here, traders don’t just sell; they manufacture. Aba men can turn ordinary materials into products that rival global brands. Shoes, belts, bags, and clothing are made in massive quantities and distributed across West Africa.

The Aba man’s hustle thrives on creativity. He might not always have access to big startup funds, but he knows how to “package” and “rebrand.” This resilience is born from necessity: Aba is not a city of luxury but of grind, sweat, and survival.

2. Understanding the Nnewi Man’s Hustle

Nnewi, a city in Anambra State, is often described as the Japan of Africa because of its dominance in manufacturing and automobile parts. Unlike Aba, Nnewi has built a reputation for industrial-scale wealth.

The Apprenticeship System

Nnewi men perfected the Igbo apprenticeship system, popularly called “Igba boy”. Here, a young man serves a master for years, learning the business and gaining discipline. At the end of his service, he is “settled”—given money or goods to start his own. This system has created generational wealth and billionaires.

Industry and Manufacturing

Unlike the Aba man who is more associated with grassroots hustling, the Nnewi man is linked with big industries. They dominate:

• Spare parts business

• Automobile imports and assembly

• Heavy machinery

• Large-scale trading across Africa

Some of Nigeria’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, including the likes of Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma (founder of Innoson Motors), hail from Nnewi. Their hustle leans more toward long-term investments and building empires.

3. Comparing the Two Hustles

Now that we’ve established their strengths, let’s compare their hustle across different dimensions:

a. Creativity vs. Capital

• Aba man: Known for grassroots creativity. Give him raw materials, and he will produce something marketable.

• Nnewi man: Known for investment-driven hustle. He’s more likely to deal in big projects requiring serious capital.

b. Risk-taking

• Aba man: Thrives on daily risks. He can borrow, sell on credit, or take his goods across borders to test new markets.

• Nnewi man: Takes calculated risks. His focus is on sustainable businesses rather than quick turnover.

c. Scale of Hustle

• Aba man: Operates largely in retail and medium-scale manufacturing.

• Nnewi man: Operates in wholesale, large-scale trading, and industries.

d. Global Reach

• Aba man: Exports his products informally to West and Central Africa.

• Nnewi man: Runs structured businesses with international recognition.

4. Historical Context

Both Aba and Nnewi hustlers have their roots in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). Igbo communities, devastated by war, had to rebuild from scratch.

• Aba men leveraged their creativity, producing goods to meet the needs of their people when imports were scarce.

• Nnewi men took advantage of trade routes and industrial knowledge, diving into spare parts and mechanical businesses.

This history explains why Aba is associated with innovation and survival, while Nnewi is linked with structured industry and wealth creation.

JOIN THE BEST AD NETWORK!

5. Cultural Attitudes Towards Wealth

The Aba Hustler

For the Aba man, hustle is often about making ends meet and achieving upward mobility. Success stories are common—many rise from street hawking to owning shops and warehouses. The culture celebrates adaptability.

The Nnewi Hustler

For the Nnewi man, hustle is not just about survival but about dynasty-building. A man is measured by how many apprentices he can settle, how many companies he can run, and the legacy he leaves. The culture encourages generational wealth transfer.

6. Challenges They Face

Aba Men

• Limited infrastructure in Aba city (bad roads, poor electricity).

• Struggles with substandard perception of their products (“Aba-made”).

• Intense competition and low-profit margins.

Nnewi Men

• Dependence on importation of raw materials.

• Political and economic policies that affect large-scale business.

• The pressure of sustaining big industries in Nigeria’s unstable economy.

7. Who Hustles More?

The big question: between Aba man and Nnewi man, who hustles more?

The answer is not straightforward. Hustle can mean different things:

• If hustle is creativity, resilience, and survival instinct, the Aba man takes the crown. His ability to make something out of nothing is legendary.

• If hustle is wealth creation, industry, and generational impact, the Nnewi man wins. His structured approach to business has produced billionaires and global recognition.

In essence, both hustle differently but effectively. One represents grit, the other scale.

8. Lessons from Their Hustle

Both Aba and Nnewi men embody values that anyone—whether in Nigeria or beyond—can learn from:

1. Start Small, Dream Big – Both cities prove that you don’t need huge resources to begin. Start where you are.

2. Apprenticeship and Mentorship Matter – The Igbo apprenticeship system is a proven model for creating entrepreneurs.

3. Adaptability Is Key – Aba men teach us to innovate under pressure, while Nnewi men show us the importance of long-term planning.

4. Community Growth – Both hustles are rooted in lifting others. In Aba, it’s about sharing trade knowledge. In Nnewi, it’s about settling apprentices.

5. Resilience in Adversity – Whether through bad infrastructure in Aba or unstable policies in Nnewi, both continue to thrive against odds.

9. Modern-Day Influence

In today’s Nigeria, the hustles of Aba and Nnewi are evolving:

• Aba: With the rise of e-commerce, Aba products are finding digital markets. Young Aba hustlers now sell their shoes, clothes, and crafts on Instagram and Jumia.

• Nnewi: Nnewi industries are expanding into tech and automotive innovation. Innoson Motors, for example, is competing to put Nigeria on the global automobile map.

Both are adapting, proving that hustle never dies—it only evolves.

GET THIS HEALTH PRODUCT!

Conclusion

So, Aba man vs Nnewi man: who hustles more?

The truth is, comparing them is like comparing fire and iron—both are powerful, but in different ways. The Aba man symbolizes the raw, street-level hustle that creates opportunities where none exist. The Nnewi man represents the structured, large-scale hustle that builds legacies and industries.

If you’re looking for who can survive with nothing and still succeed, go to Aba.
If you’re looking for who can turn millions into billions and create generational impact, look to Nnewi.

At the end of the day, both hustles define the spirit of the Igbo man and, by extension, the Nigerian dream. Their stories are not just about money—they are about resilience, creativity, community, and the unyielding will to succeed.

And perhaps that is the bigger lesson: hustle has no single definition. Aba men and Nnewi men simply remind us that there are different ways to rise, and whichever path you take, the key is to never stop hustling.

Let me hear from you;

1. Have you ever being in any of the two cities before?

2. What one lesson did you learn in the city?

3. Can you say that there is no lazy person in any of the cities?

Please you reply is very important to me, for future publications. For now, bye.