Many Nigerians have already become famous worldwide in various spheres of life. Jelani Aliyu car designer is considered the Nigerian superstar of the General Motors Renaissance. This article will tell you the history of success of the most prominent Nigerian car designer who created the Chevrolet Volt.
Jelani Aliyu car designer
It took an ordinary Nigerian man 24 years to move from Sokoto State in Nigeria to Detroit. Now Jelani Aliyu is Lead Exterior Designer in the second-largest vehicle manufacturer on the planet – General Motors. In 2007, he designed the Chevy Volt. This car has been immediately described as a Revolution and one of the up-to-the-minute models in the design line ever.
Jelani Aliyu’s biography
The most prominent Nigerian car designer Jelani Aliyu was born in 1966 in a large family. He was the fifth of seven children. Jelani remembers that he grew up in Sokoto. This state has always had the rich culture of the people and the state itself. Therefore, from the very childhood, the future designer had perfect access to the newest international information from various spheres of life. It was a great experience for him.
From 1971 to 1978, he had been studying at Sokoto Capital School. It is one of the most important secondary schools in the State, which gave the Nigerian genius a very fruitful scholastic experience.
Jelani Aliyu car designer
From 1978 to 1983, Jelani Aliyu had been studying at Federal Government College, which is also located in Sokoto. After graduating from it, the designer received a trustworthy award as “The best in Technical Drawing.”
During his studying time, Jelani met hundreds of good and bright people from both Nigeria and abroad. They all undoubtedly encouraged and mentored him tremendously in his desire to keep on his creative work. The young designer worked a lot on designing own cars. He made many scale models, even completing them with exteriors and interiors.
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On one of his rare interviews, Jelani Aliyu answered the question on what drove him into the automotive designing industry:
“I have always loved drawing. These are different things around me, people, objects, plants, also stuff from my imagination. Growing up, I have always loved science fiction, and in the movies, you would see a lot of alien spacecraft and other futuristic things that would inspire me to look beyond. I also love cars very much, even though then we did not have any Ferraris in Sokoto. However, we did have magazines in which I saw them, and they inspired me, too. So I put together my love for drawing and cars and decided to be a car designer.”
Jelani Aliyu car designer
In 1986, Jelani Aliyu decided to continue his A-levels in Zaria Ahmadu Bello University. However, he quickly abandoned his studying there. Thus, a designer entered the Birnin Kebbi Polytechnic, bagging an OND in Architecture. The studying process there lasted from 1986 to 1988. He graduated from it from the honorable Best All-Round Student Award.
Jelani Aliyu car designer
There is an imperative notion here. Jelani is very grateful to his parents for their complete support in everything.
In particular, the Nigerian designer says:
“My parents let me decide what I wanted to do. For example, when I went to Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and decided I did not want to continue there, they were supportive. They did not insist that I had to remain there. They have always been supportive and understanding.”
After spending thousands of hours in various researches of design and construction, looking into materials and structures that would be most compatible with our environment and climate, finally decided to become a car designer. Thus, Jelani Aliyu made up his mind to continue studying transportation design in the United States.
Jelani Aliyu and General Motors
In 1990, Jelani Aliyu finally moved to Detroit. There he joined the College for Creative Studies in under a Sokoto Scholarship board sponsorship. This place immediately allowed him to receive fascinating experience. His studying course was very practical, with a strong emphasis on creativity and the development of new designs with quick solutions. During his studying, the Nigerian genius managed to win two awards from Michelin, US, and Ford Motor Company.
In 1994, Jelani Aliyu received his degree in automobile design. General Motors instantaneously took this young genius to its team. Thus, Jelani Aliyu started his career in this company in the design department.
Jelani Aliyu car designer
Among the most outstanding Jelani Aliyu`s projects with General Motors we should mention:
- Co-designer of Buick Rendezvous;
- The lead exterior designer of the Pontiac G6;
- “Astra project” with General Motors’ Opel Division.
The brilliant work on the Chevrolet Volt design immediately allowed Jelani Aliyu to become the real superstar of the General Motors Renaissance. This compact car developed by the Nigerian genius for the first time was presented at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2007.
Jelani Aliyu car designer
Presently, the car has an electric generator powered by an internal combustion engine with the capacity of 62 kW. Fuel tank capacity is 45 liters. This fuel and the full charge battery are enough to run 640 miles.
Jelani Aliyu car designer
Now the approximate price of the Chevrolet Volt is $37,000.
Conclusion
We can conclude that for General Motors Nigeria gas become a lucky country. Jelani Aliyu car designer is a real example for many our people to be proud of. Jelani Aliyu and many other Nigerians keep on doing great in every part of the world, bringing glory and international recognition to their country. Jelani Aliyu has already inspired many other Nigerians to pursue their dreams.
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