C. T. Onyekwelu & Company Limited

Nigerian company based in Onitsha, owned by Chief C. T. Onyekwelu (who also owned the Nigerphone label). The company initially imported and sold portable phonographs, records and radios (amongst other goods). In 1939 Onyekwelu started to record tapes by local musicians and have then pressed in Europe, releasing them on his own label. In 1952 her purchased his own recording machine, but unable to figure out how it worked, he decided to built his own studio and pressing plant in Onitsha with technical help from European partners. Eventually the Dutch firm Philips stepped in after prolonged financial and technical difficulties. In 1960 opened Nigeria's first pressing plant under the name Nigeria Records Limited, employing some 125 people. In this joint venture, Philips took on the production management and Onyekwelu remained responsible for recording and marketing. The plant eventually was fully acquired by Philips and became Phonogram Ltd. Nigeria.