Cutix PLC: The Nnewi Company Electrifying Nigeria

Introduction: Powering Dreams from Nnewi

When people talk about Nnewi as the industrial heartbeat of Nigeria, names like Innoson Motors and Coscharis often come up. But there’s another quiet giant –Cutix PLC – a homegrown electrical cable manufacturing company that has helped light up homes, factories, and cities across Nigeria for over four decades.

Founded in the heart of Anambra State, Cutix PLC stands as a symbol of indigenous innovation, resilience, and industrial excellence. From modest beginnings, it has grown into one of Nigeria’s most respected and publicly quoted manufacturing companies – supplying cables to critical sectors like power, telecom, oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing.

Let’s explore the story behind Cutix PLC, the Nnewi company electrifying Nigeria.

The Founding Vision: From Village Roots to a National Force

Cutix PLC was founded in 1982 by Dr. Gilbert Obiajulu Uzodike, an industrious Nnewi-born electrical engineer and Harvard alumnus. His vision was simple but revolutionary: to manufacture world-class electrical wires and cables locally and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports.

Armed with knowledge, courage, and strong community ties, Uzodike returned home to Nnewi to set up Cutix – with just N400,000 in capital and a small workforce.

The name “Cutix” was inspired by his belief in cutting-edge technology – a rare ambition in Nigeria’s industrial space at the time. The company was built on solid Igbo values: hard work, local empowerment, self-sufficiency, and long-term vision.

Dr Gilbert Uzodike

Rising Through the Ranks: Early Milestones

Cutix started operations at a small plant in Nnewi, producing basic electrical wires for domestic use. However, the founder’s attention to quality and innovation quickly set the company apart.

By 1987, just five years after launch, Cutix became the first indigenous company in the South East to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). This historic move gave it access to capital, visibility, and credibility – attracting investors from across Nigeria.

Some of its major milestones include:

• Expansion into instrumentation, automotive, and telecom cables
• Accreditation by major national power agencies and multinationals
• Opening a second factory in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi for specialized cables
• Consistent recognition for compliance, performance, and corporate governance

Cutix Today: Quality, Innovation, and Impact

Today, Cutix PLC is a leading manufacturer of wires and cables in Nigeria with a nationwide distribution network. It produces a wide range of high-quality cables including:

• PVC insulated wires
• Armoured power cables
• Data and instrumentation cables
• Telecommunication cables
• Flexible cords and panel wires

Its customers range from electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to construction giants, oil companies, telecom providers, and government parastatals.

Cutix is ISO-certified and competes favorably with foreign brands, a feat made more impressive by the fact that all operations are still based in Nnewi.

Employee Ownership and Community Development

Cutix PLC is also unique in its approach to local ownership. The company was structured so that employees could own shares, giving them a real stake in the company’s success. This model helped build loyalty, productivity, and a strong internal culture.

Beyond business, Cutix has contributed to the development of Nnewi and Anambra at large by:

• Providing jobs for hundreds of skilled and semi-skilled workers
• Supporting education and vocational training programs
• Powering local infrastructure projects
• Offering technical internship opportunities to students

It serves as a model for industrial development rooted in local empowerment – a vision many believe is key to transforming Nigeria’s economy.

Surviving the Storms: Economic Challenges and Growth

Like many Nigerian manufacturers, Cutix has faced challenges over the years:

• Unstable power supply
• Rising cost of raw materials (many of which are imported)
• Forex issues and government policy inconsistencies
• Competition from low-quality imported cables

Yet, through strategic planning, innovation, and resilience, Cutix has remained profitable and relevant.

The company has also diversified by establishing a sister company, Adswitch PLC, which produces switchgear and control systems – expanding its footprint in Nigeria’s electrical infrastructure space.

Women in Leadership: Breaking the Mold

In 2020, Mrs. Ijeoma Oduonye was appointed Managing Director/CEO of Cutix PLC, making her one of the few female CEOs of a publicly listed industrial company in Nigeria.

Her appointment marked a bold new chapter in the company’s evolution, showing that Cutix is not just leading in industry, but also in inclusive leadership and gender balance.

Under her leadership, the company continues to pursue innovation, market expansion, and stakeholder satisfaction.

The Nnewi Advantage: Why It Matters

Being located in Nnewi gives Cutix a unique edge:

• Access to a community with a rich tradition of industrial enterprise
• A local supply chain for transport, packaging, and raw materials
• Skilled labor and entrepreneurial support
• A culture that respects local investment and innovation

Nnewi itself is seen as Nigeria’s most industrialized town per capita, and Cutix stands proudly as one of the pioneers of that legacy.

Conclusion: Lighting the Path for Africa

Cutix PLC is more than a cable company. It is a story of vision, resilience, and pride in homegrown success. From its base in Nnewi, it has helped build and electrify Nigeria – powering not just homes and offices, but also hope.

In a time when Nigeria is seeking to industrialize and diversify its economy, Cutix serves as a shining example of what is possible when engineering meets entrepreneurship, and when local roots meet global standards.

Cutix isn’t just lighting Nigeria – it’s lighting the path forward for Africa.