In 2020, while still a second-year student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Raymond Chuma-Onwuoku, co-founder and CEO of The Garage, began his first job as a writer for a Web3 company. This marked the start of his journey in balancing multiple roles and advancing his career rapidly. Despite his progress, Chuma-Onwuoku often felt disadvantaged due to being on campus. He struggled with access to work opportunities and felt that university campuses were overlooked by service providers.
By 2023, he had built a successful career, enabling him to afford reliable infrastructure like power and internet. However, it wasn’t until a vacation in Lagos, where he stayed at a hotel on Victoria Island, that he experienced the benefits of a co-working space. This experience led him to question how much productivity was lost due to challenges like unstable power and poor internet connection on campus.
Determined to solve these issues, Chuma-Onwuoku envisioned a co-working space that could harness the economic potential of university campuses. By May 2023, The Garage started taking shape, and in June, co-founders Darlington Nnam and Peter Ajanwachuku joined the team. The Garage officially launched on November 10, 2023, and secured its first paying customer three days later.
The Garage was designed to boost productivity and learning for students. It offers co-working spaces tailored to the unique needs of students, combining both physical and virtual communities to enhance learning and exposure to opportunities. The company’s services include flexible learning solutions, non-technical skill programs like content writing and marketing, and a booking system that uses social competition to drive productivity.
Chuma-Onwuoku and his co-founders, who all met at UNN, share a deep understanding of campus dynamics and student needs. This insight allows them to deliver tailored educational experiences, setting The Garage apart from other co-working spaces. The Garage aims to nurture small ideas and transform them into major ventures by supporting young people in remote areas to unlock their potential.
Despite facing significant challenges early on, such as unreliable power supply, The Garage has managed to achieve profitability. The company generates revenue from its co-working spaces, earning between ₦3 million ($1,887) per month, with a 5% month-on-month growth rate. The Garage also earns income from campus startups and small businesses through advertisements.
Chuma-Onwuoku credits the company’s success to events like the Digital Work Conference in February 2024, which significantly contributed to its path towards profitability. The event attracted over 1,000 students and awarded over ₦30 million in scholarships, laptops, and other prizes, helping to build The Garage’s reputation.
Looking ahead, The Garage plans to expand to additional Southeast states in Nigeria by the end of 2024, to be present in 20-30 locations across Nigeria by 2026, supporting about 50,000 students.
Garage’s rapid growth and profitability demonstrate the untapped potential of university campuses and the importance of providing quality workspaces and learning opportunities for students.
