Suzanne Elumelu, mother of Tony Elumelu, was unaware that she was about to give birth to a child destined for greatness. This child, named Onyemaechi, which translates to “who knows tomorrow,” was born on March 22, 1963, marking the beginning of Tony O. Elumelu’s remarkable journey.
Despite the belief that the future is predetermined, there’s an opportunity to shape it through determination and action. Former US President John F. Kennedy emphasized the importance of focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past or present to actively shape it.
Onyemaechi, the name Tony Elumelu carried, was a question he would answer through his life’s journey. He didn’t just discover tomorrow, he designed it, aligning with Abraham Lincoln’s notion that creating the future is the most effective way to predict it. He didn’t wait for life to happen; he proactively made it happen.
Over his six decades of existence, the Nigerian entrepreneur Tony Elumelu has not only carved out his own future like Michelangelo but has also become a model of success for aspiring entrepreneurs. Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), he’s impacted young business minds across Africa.
As a savvy business executive, he’s strategically invested in crucial sectors of the African economy through ventures like Heirs Holdings, Transcorp Group, and UBA Group, generating substantial employment opportunities. He defied setbacks and transformed challenges into stepping stones towards greatness.
Tony Elumelu embodies Arthur C. Clarke’s idea that pushing the boundaries of the possible leads to the discovery of the impossible. He views “impossible” as merely a word, evident in his achievement of becoming one of Nigeria’s youngest bank CEOs at 34, leading the now-defunct Standard Trust Bank.
His influence extends to the African banking industry’s reforms and revolution, positioning it for global competitiveness. His impact as the CEO of United Bank of Africa (UBA) remains an enduring reference point.
With UBA’s 20 million active clients, 30,000 employees, and 1,000 branches across 20 African countries, Tony Elumelu’s creative leadership during his 10-year tenure has elevated the bank to a leading mega-institution. He’s put Africans on par with prestigious global banks like JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Barclays, and Deutsche Bank AG.
Establishing Heirs Holdings and The Tony Elumelu Foundation, he stepped down from his UBA Group CEO role in 2010. Beyond banking, he’s ventured into hospitality, owning the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, a testament to his commitment to excellence. This standard of excellence permeates his endeavors across various industries, including power, oil, and petrochemicals.
Also Read: Tony Elumelu spends $30,000 on 17 talented storytellers
The life of Tony O. Elumelu stands as yet another illustration of how consistent excellence foreshadows greatness, as the billionaire entrepreneur marks his 60th birthday. His journey reflects a purpose-driven existence rooted in the enduring belief that life is not a mere accident, but rather a path to greatness that requires a focused and clear vision.
He is the originator of Africapitalism, a concept aimed at harnessing the potential of capitalism through entrepreneurship to liberate Africa from the shackles of multidimensional poverty and underdevelopment.
Despite earning recognition as one of Forbes’ wealthiest individuals in Africa, he was acknowledged by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2020. While achieving significant feats and pursuing ambitious objectives, the brilliant business mind from the Delta region has never underestimated the role of grace in propelling him to rapid fame.
He openly acknowledges that a blend of luck, or what might be termed favor, alongside relentless hard work, played a significant role in his swift rise from a mere corps member at Union Bank to becoming one of the youngest CEOs of commercial banks and later chairing one of Africa’s largest banking conglomerates. He conveys this humility and humorously reflects on his journey during various public engagements.
At one such event, he posed a philosophical yet rhetorical question: “Am I blessed or am I lucky?” Attempting to answer, Tony O. Elumelu is both fortunate and blessed, exuding an aura of blessings. His demeanor aligns with the biblical interpretation that he receives divine mercy and that success doesn’t solely favor the swift or strong.
This is akin to Peter’s fishing experience: Initially unable to catch fish despite diligent efforts, he achieved a remarkable catch only when Jesus intervened. Peter had the right equipment and skill but luck, or divine favor, played a pivotal role in his success.
For a millionaire of Tony O. Elumelu’s stature to openly acknowledge the role of luck in his journey, he must possess unmatched humility and a deep recognition of the supernatural’s influence in human affairs—qualities he notably embodies. He consistently attributes his blessings and luck, along with his perseverance through challenges, to his remarkable journey.
Guided by the belief that he is a steward of resources meant to uplift humanity, his philanthropic endeavors stem from this philosophy. His actions are motivated by the idea that individual accomplishments that solely benefit oneself are fleeting, whereas contributions that positively impact others and the world endure and remain immortal. This principle led to the establishment of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), transforming him from a regular individual to a humanitarian.
Over the past decade, TEF has made remarkable strides, empowering more than 16,000 young African entrepreneurs across 54 countries through training, mentorship, and $5,000 startup capital each. The Foundation introduced a $100 million intervention known as the “Entrepreneurship Programme” in 2015, aimed at supporting 10,000 African businesses over the subsequent decade. Elumelu’s passion for nurturing budding enterprises is unmatched, attracting partnerships with major organizations including UNDP, UNCDF, AfDB, and the Red Cross.
Despite corporate triumphs, his steadfast commitment to empowering the next generation endures. He emphasizes the importance of offering guidance, mentorship, and sharing success stories to foster the growth of African youth who possess immense potential but face challenging environments.
Although some regard Africa as a tough environment for businesses, Elumelu’s conviction is that with proper mentoring, ambitious young entrepreneurs will overcome obstacles and pave the way for others in the business and investment realms. He asserts that Africa’s future wealth lies in the entrepreneurial efforts of its youth, advocating for africapitalism, and humorously earning the moniker “King of soft living.”
He warns against the perilous journeys young Africans undertake in search of better opportunities abroad, highlighting the potential for prosperity on the continent. As he celebrates his 60th year, we honor his impactful journey, following the philosophy that celebrating eminent individuals can inspire young generations to adopt similar virtues.
Well done