Documentary: the making of Sternum

Six years ago, at just 24, Jerry Isaac Mallo, a fabrication engineer from Jos, Nigeria, stunned the world by unveiling the Bennie Purrie, Nigeria’s first carbon fiber sports car. Built from scratch, this sleek red beast went viral🇳🇬 Growing up in Plateau State, Jerry’s passion

for cars sparked at age 5, crafting toy cars from trash. By 18, he built his first life-size car from recyclables. His mantra? Make it the best. This hustle led to a scholarship at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, to study engineering.

While in the UK, Jerry saw Africa’s untapped potential: rich resources, skilled hands, and a massive market for luxury vehicles. He dropped out to return to Nigeria, determined to fill the void in local manufacturing. Talk about betting on your vision!

In 2019, the Bennie Purrie debuted at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with Gov. Simon Lalong as chief guest. Made of fiberglass (not carbon fiber, as Jerry clarified), it featured a 2.0L engine, 130 horsepower, and a 0-120 km/h sprint in 12 seconds.

Safety first: its body shatters like glass on impact to protect occupants. Why fiberglass? Jerry prioritized safety over convention, using fibers that break like bottles, paired with a tubular chassis for rugged Nigerian roads. Four radiators kept it cool in scorching heat. This wasn’t just a car—it was a statement.

But Jerry’s vision wasn’t just about fast cars. As CEO of Bennie Technologies Ltd. (founded 2016), he tackled Nigeria’s immediate needs first: agriculture. His company, Bennie Agro, built tractors, rice destoners, and grinding machines to mechanize farming.

Jerry’s agro innovations didn’t stop there. He produced ventilators and hygienic hand-washing machines during COVID-19, addressing Africa’s shortage of medical equipment. No government or NGO funding—just pure grit and ingenuity.

His work earned accolades: the 2017 National MSME Award and 2018 MSME recognition for Bennie Technologies. The Plateau State government backed his ventures, amplifying his impact. Jerry’s not just building machines; he’s building a legacy.

Fast forward to 2024, Jerry unveiled the Bennie Sternum, a new sports car prototype, calling it “a true African child” born from teamwork at Bennie Automobile. His X post (@jerry_mallo) radiates pride in collaboration: “Teamwork makes the dream work.”

Despite financial hurdles, Jerry’s pushing to take the Sternum to market. In a 2024 Voice of America interview, he shared his struggle to secure funds but remains undeterred. Why? Building something authentically his own is what fuels him.

Jerry’s growth isn’t just in products—it’s in mindset. He’s self-taught, learning from YouTube, Google, and mentors. He told Punch Newspapers, “I don’t think 25 is young. I feel old!” His hunger to learn and innovate keeps him ahead.

From agriculture to automotive, Jerry’s also dipping into construction, with Bennie Technologies designing machines to simplify processes. His vision? To make Nigeria a manufacturing giant, rivaling global brands like Ferrari or Lamborghini.

The X community can’t stop buzzing about Jerry. @AfricaFirsts noted his tractor assembly at 22 and sports car at 24. @Joe__Bassey and @AfricanHub_ hailed him as a trailblazer. His story inspires youth across Nigeria and Africa to dream big.

What’s next for Jerry? He’s promised more innovations, telling Punch, “You should just wait. You will see it all.” With no international funding yet, his journey proves passion and teamwork can move mountains. Nigeria’s Bill Gates? Maybe. Africa’s innovator? Definitely.

Thank you for taking the time to read till the end. If you liked this thread, feel free to share this first post and follow me for more content like this.

There’s a bunch inventors like Jerry Mallo that are not getting the PR they deserve. Now here’s what to do if you know any: Tag me to them or drop few information about them, and I will try my best to create a likely escalatory thread about them and what they do.