Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R

Enroute London with my Triplets ❤️
#GirlDad #TOEWay

Happy New Year 🎊

#TOEWay

It was a #ProudParent moment for us today, witnessing our daughter graduate high school with Honors.

We are super proud of you Gogo Lee! 
#TOEGirl #GirlDad

I received BBC News Africa in my home, and we discussed work life balance, my key ingredients FOR success and what I like to do for fun. We had fun filming this.

#TOEWay #HHPeople #Interview

To all of us who have ‘made it’ in Africa, we owe it to the next generation to dedicate our expertise and energy to develop a crop of brilliant-minded Africans who would take excellence in leadership and entrepreneurship to the next level.

#TOEWay #YouthEmpowerment #Entrepreneurship #Africa #Africapitalism

People often ask me, TOE how do I learn leadership. Should I go on a course? Buy a book? Get a mentor? Are leaders born, or can you become a leader?

Just as I say about business success, leadership has many components – luck, being in the right place at the right time. But I also believe that those talents and those disciplines that you bring, creating a vision and the resilience and focus that delivers that vision, can also forge your own personal leadership.

I was fortunate to work with Chief Ebitimi Banigo, at the start of my career. My leadership philosophy was built working with him. It started with Chief Banigo taking the time to read my application letter and giving me a chance to prove myself at Allstates Trust Bank in 1988. When my colleagues tell me today, “TOE you respond too fast to our emails”, I laugh because I learnt from the master himself – Chief Banigo. When I sent memos to him, he would respond within twenty-four hours; therefore, why should I not respond even faster in this age of technology?

These are some of the leadership values I learnt from my time with Chief Banigo, and I practise them all today.

Leaders must demand excellence: Only by going the extra mile and pushing ourselves, will we truly develop and standout. Hard work and excellence made my bosses Toyin Akin-Johnson and Ebitimi Banigo notice, and subsequently, believe in me. At twenty-seven, I went from being a trainee to being a boss, when I was appointed a branch manager – the youngest bank branch manager at that time. All the things I learned earlier came into play, and I continued learning.

Good leaders find in people, what people did not know they possess – Leaders recognise the talent in their team and then push to unlock the talent. When I work, I work to achieve my goals, but I also work to unlock my teams’ skills. I know everyone I work with has huge potential – for me my success is also about the success of others, growing and nurturing their talent, that is the foundation of our growth at Heirs Holdings Group. This focus on talent, teams, personal transformation, is why I am so insistent on creating institutions, cultures, and pathways, where human capital can thrive. It is why I am an investor in businesses, but also entrepreneurs across Africa.

Leaders must walk their talk - A leader must be consistent. People want to trust a leader that they believe has integrity. Leadership is not just about telling people what to do, it's also about setting an example. A good leader must lead by example and practice what they preach, this demonstrates integrity, it builds trust and respect.

Leaders must impart knowledge: I benefitted from the mentorship of Chief Banigo at Allstates Trust Bank.

Read the full article on my Facebook https://lnkd.in/dGMqf5Tg
#TOEWay

Yesterday, I delivered the keynote address at the 2023 Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual Conference on the theme: Getting it Right, Charting the Course for Nigeria’s nation building.

We have come together today united. United with one ambition, one duty - nation building. I thank Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), President of the Nigerian Bar Association and his leadership for the honour of speaking here today – and the wisdom of the choice of topic.

Yes – United, whatever our backgrounds, geographies, religions, experiences, by a single desire – to ensure that our country experiences a true renaissance. There is no one in this distinguished gathering, that does not want the best for Nigeria. Whether my learned friends of the Bar or our distinguished leaders present.

We know the potential of Nigeria. We know the resources, human and natural, that Nigeria has at her disposal. We champion the successes of Nigerians globally – in international leadership positions at the WTO, at the UN, at the African Development Bank, at the Afreximbank, in technology, in music and entertainment, in business, in arts and in media, in film, in sports. Indeed, in virtually every human endeavour, Nigerians excel.

We live in a world, where the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade grew up in Lagos and the United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, was born in Ibadan. In business, the Nigerian private sector is showing globally our capability, our ingenuity, our institutionalisation.

We have global businesses with Nigerian origins: Let me name one – UBA Group, the United Bank for Africa, the only African Bank that operates in the USA as a deposit taking bank. We are now in Dubai, Paris, and London – and just as importantly 20 other countries in Africa – who would have thought 20 years ago, that Nigeria would be home to Africa’s global bank!

But these successes, these role models are too few, too rare.

We know too well the reality of Nigeria at home. We know our energy deficits, we experience the disillusionment of our youth, manifest in the tragic loss of talent, as our young, at times, and at great risk to themselves, seek opportunities abroad. Opportunities that our fertile, bountiful country should supply. We see the plundering of our commonwealth through oil theft and pipeline destruction in broad daylight!

We experience every day the impact of climate change. We see our loved ones kidnapped and killed. Insecurity breeds disorder, feeds intolerance and destroys opportunity.

Our country has experienced division – unnecessary division and the squandering of heritage. Nation building is a call to arms – a vital task – a necessity.

Transforming Nigeria is a journey that demands our collective dedication. Read my full speech on my blog. https://lnkd.in/dMNwRigR

Yesterday, I spoke at the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and Conference, organised by the High Commission of Nigeria to India, in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC).

I was in Delhi at the invitation of President Tinubu and as co-Chair of the Business 20 (B20) Action Council focusing on African economic integration, the private sector counterpart to the G20.

Being in Delhi allowed me to galvanise global business leaders in the economic integration and inclusive development in Africa and beyond. I shared my views as a businessman, who operates in 24 countries, across 4 continents, and an investor who invests in entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries - reinforcing the potential of Nigeria and Africa.

Nigeria boasts a massive market, with over 200 million people and the largest GDP on the continent. What’s even more exciting is the youth demography, which comprises 65% of our population. We have intelligent, energetic, and hardworking young people—an incredible source of human capital, that investors need to drive their businesses. This presents a tremendous investment opportunity!

At Heirs Holdings, we invest in power, through Transcorp Group and I shared with my friends that the return on investment in the power sector can be long – it needs patience. However, at Transcorp Group, we achieved a ground-breaking record, not only did we make profit, but we also paid dividends to shareholders in the second year of investment. This is, truth be told, unusual in the Nigerian power sector, which tells you that when it comes to investment, while some see challenges, others see opportunities, and they harness them for good. I like power, yes for returns, but just as importantly, it is critical for our country’s success, as a society and nation.

To my fellow business leaders from India, Nigeria is a profitable, rewarding investment destination. This is the time to invest in Nigeria. I speak as a private sector investor in Nigeria, a successful investor - the companies we- at Heirs Holdings have invested in, from Power, to Hospitality, Healthcare, Technology, Banking & Insurance sectors, are all doing well. You too can take advantage of the opportunities Nigeria has to offer.

As true Africapitalists, we believe in collaboration for mutual prosperity. We invest globally and we welcome you to invest in our country. There is so much to do in Africa. We need capital to drive infrastructure, as well as to drive businesses that will spur the employment our economy needs. We cannot do it alone; we need collaboration. There is so much between India and Nigeria, and let us business people build upon the examples of our political leaders, taking tough decisions, that will reap returns for our human capital.

I look forward to collaborating, with the global business community and international development partners, as they explore the investment opportunities in Nigeria.

#TOEWay

Last month, as I received the TIME100 Impact Award, I stressed the need for leaders across the world, to pull resources together to prioritise humanity, by promoting #Entrepreneurship, #GenderEquity, #Sustainability, and digital innovation.

This week, I carry the same message to the United States of America. As I strengthen partnerships across Heirs Holdings, UBA Group and The Tony Elumelu Foundation, I will draw attention to the investment potential of Africa. I will touch down in several cities across the USA in the coming days.

- Washington DC
On April 28, 2022, A fireside chat hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and The Heritage Foundation. Read more: https://bit.ly/3y0bw6a

- New York
On April 29, 22, UBA America partnership event with the Business Council of International Understanding(BCIU): This event will be livestreamed on my social media handles

- Los Angeles
On May 2,2022, An entertainment industry event: This event will be livestreamed on my social media channels.

- San Francisco
On May 5, 2022 I will speak to a group of graduate students at Stanford University's premier speaker series, 'View from the Top' (https://lnkd.in/dXpfXWTY). This event will be livestreamed.

I look forward to engaging in conversations that reiterate Africa’s rapid growth potential and how we can collaboratively accelerate this through #Entrepreneurship and #Africapitalism.

#TOEWay

The world is in need of people like us—more than ever before. 
We should pull resources together, we should commit now to help in anyway possible to economically empower others.

In the 21st century, there’s so much poverty, sickness, and bitterness in the world, therefore, our calling should be one that prioritizes humanity.

#Throwback #TIME100ImpactAward #TOEWay

Happy birthday, my dearest Oge! 🎉 From the moment you came into our lives, you have brought nothing but endless joy, love, and honour. Your humanity, strength, and determination shine brightly in everything you do. Daddy, Mummy, and your siblings love you very much.

World Gigi Day ❤️🎂

#FlashbackFriday

#TOEWay

Yesterday, I held a fireside chat at Europe’s biggest startup event Viva Technology, with Maurice Levy, Chairman, Publicis Groupe and co-founder, #VivaTech. We discussed entrepreneurship in Africa and the power of Africapitalism.

No coincidence – tech and Africa go hand in hand. The event was full of young Africans – including The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurs, showing the way forward. Shout out to #TEF Entrepreneur Henry Mascot, CEO of Curacel (YC W22), and 2017 TEF Alumni. He won the Africa Tech Awards 2023 in the FinTech category.

Africans need to tell their stories – honestly, candidly – but there is much good to tell. Maurice asked me to shed light on present day Africa, which many people don’t see or read about.

Yes, in Africa, there are challenges, but huge opportunities. Our population and demography is the largest global market for business, labor, and innovation. As an entrepreneur and philanthropist who invests in people and businesses across Africa, I know that there is nowhere in the world you get the kind of returns on investment you make in Africa.

I shared my motivation for the philosophy of Africapitalism. I was born, raised, and I have always worked in Africa. No one but Africans will develop Africa, and the private sector must lead this transformation, by doing well and doing good.

At Heirs Holdings, we create social and economic impact while making profit. That is why, in 2010, we created The Tony Elumelu Foundation. That’s why we identify and empower young, brilliant African entrepreneurs – 18,000 to date - who have great ideas but lack economic resources to turn their business ideas into reality.

I am a democratiser - I believe in prosperity for one and prosperity for all. I believe that governments, businesses, and development partners must empower young African entrepreneurs with economic and technological infrastructure, digital literacy, and innovation to harness the transformative power of technology for Africa's sustainable development.

I closed with nuggets for young and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Discipline, hard work, tenacity, resilience, focus, and more importantly, technology are key. Businesses that fail to embrace technology are built to fail, and entrepreneurs who want to succeed in the long run must focus on building to last.

Thanks Maurice Levy, and Viva Technology for having me and more importantly, for creating this initiative that shines a positive light on Africa to the rest of the world.

#TOEWay #VivaTech2023 #Africapitalism

Happy independence everyone!
As we celebrate another year of independence, it is time to reflect, to look in the mirror, for our nation and ourselves.

We know Nigeria, we love Nigeria, Nigeria is one of Africa’s most diverse and dynamic countries. We are a nation that excites, beguiles, and dreams. Yet, amidst our diversity and that potential that we all feel, we have faced so many challenges. These challenges ask us to answer a fundamental question: What is our collective responsibility in nation-building?

The destiny of Nigeria lies firmly in the hands of its people – you and me. I am an optimist and I believe strongly in the potential of our nation. We must work together to create the progress we so desire through innovation, and with unity in diversity.

In August, I spoke to the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Abuja. At the time of a new administration – and without doubt some of our toughest times economically, I spoke about our collective responsibility as Nigerians, and what we must do to foster nation-building.

My prescription, my advice, my philosophy is simple:

1. Unity

We must set our differences aside and be united with one ambition, and one duty – nation-building. Whatever our backgrounds, geographies, religions, and experiences let us ensure that our country experiences a true renaissance.

2. Celebrate our Global Success

We know the potential of Nigeria.

We know the resources, human and natural, that Nigeria has at her disposal. We must learn to champion the successes of Nigerians globally – in international leadership positions at the World Trade Organization, at the United Nations, at the African Development Bank Group, at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in technology, in music and entertainment, in business, in arts and in media, in film, in sports.

We see these replicated at home – what we need to do is unleash our potential, create that enabling environment in Nigeria.

3. Business Excellence

The Nigerian private sector is showing globally our capability, our ingenuity, our institutionalisation. We have global businesses with Nigerian origins. For instance – UBA Group, the only African Bank that operates in the USA, as a deposit-taking bank. We are now in Dubai, Paris, and London – and just as importantly 20 other countries in Africa. Who would have thought 20 years ago, that Nigeria would be home to Africa’s global bank!

The private sector must continue to surpass its own achievements and continue to put Nigeria on the map.

4. Shared Responsibility

Nation-building is a call to arms – a vital task – a necessity.

At its core, nation-building is the intricate process of forging a cohesive, harmonious, and united society, out of diverse individuals, cultures, and ideologies. It is the art of constructing a shared identity. Read more on my blog. https://lnkd.in/dZep_caX

#TOEWay

What is UBA Group without our human talent?

Our lions and lionesses, the product of our nurturing culture, where we all learn our shared values of enterprise, excellence and execution.

Yesterday, I had a session with 70 newly promoted UBA Group branch managers– exceptional young men and women from within our ranks.

Promotion to branch managers is something very personal to me.

I shared my own career story. I recalled my journey when I, too, was given a unique opportunity—appointed as a branch manager at just 27. At the time, my boss, Chief Ebitimi Banigo, shared with me a piece of advice that stayed with me throughout my career: “Tony, this appointment goes beyond you. If you succeed, you open doors for others; if you fail, no institution will make this ‘mistake’ again.” That counsel shaped my career and guided me in every step of my journey.

With only a year’s experience in banking and no background in operations, I asked myself what would make me a successful branch manager. I spoke to a colleague, Theresa Henshaw, then working as a teller, and now the CEO of UBA London, asking if I could shadow her for five days. I began learning every detail of the bank’s deposits, withdrawals, and transaction flow—not because I needed to do it, but as a way to understand banking operations—a foundation that I knew was critical for success.

My vision is that one day, branch managers will rise from our Graduate Management Trainee Program (UBA GMAP), within 3 years. In doing so, I know I am paying forward the rare opportunity extended to me decades ago, and I have full confidence in UBA’s executive leadership to make this vision a reality.

I charged our new Branch Managers to become transformative leaders— ambassadors of excellence within and beyond our Group. Just as my own mentor and boss once advised me, I urged them to be exemplars, prioritising customer satisfaction and embodying our core values of Excellence, Enterprise, and Execution in all they do.

With the profound support and encouragement of UBA Group’s capable leadership, I have no doubt that these 70 exceptional UBA lions and lionesses will excel in their roles, contributing to the success of Africa’s Global Bank.

Congratulations to you all, let’s continue to make impact!

#TOEWay #Leadership #Africapitalism

As Africans, we see the impact of climate change every day; as leaders it is incumbent on us to show the way; as Africapitalists at Heirs Holdings, we demonstrate that business can do well and do good.

As the world rightly focuses on climate change, it is critical that African voices are not just heard but set the agenda. That is why we both want to lead with our own programmes, across our businesses and philanthropy; and be present at the highest level in the debate.

I have just arrived in New York to join other global and industry leaders to attend the United Nations General Assembly (#UNGA77), the annual high-level debate that convenes global leaders. There, I will further spread our messages of impact, transformation, and Africapitalism in various meetings.

Today, September 19: I will deliver the keynote speech at World Economic Forum (WEF) Friends of Africa Continental Free Trade Area, where I will be speaking on how the AfCFTA can enhance US-Africa trade.

My full itinerary for the UNGA can be viewed on my blog using this link: https://lnkd.in/d-86cfgz

#TOEWay #UNGA #TOEatUNGA

Falomo Towers is truly iconic!

Heirs Holdings had the sod-turning ceremony, an event to flag off the construction of Falomo Towers, a mixed development high-rise complex in Ikoyi - Falomo Towers being developed in partnership with Afriland Properties Plc and Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSPDC).
 
This project has been a long time coming. It has been a project in the works for over 8 years. Thank you, Governor, H.E Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other leaders of the State for making this a reality.
What we are witnessing today attests to 2 things: The belief and support for the Private sector to succeed in Lagos state and the power of dialogue and resilience.
 
At the conception of this project, we had our commercial disagreements but we focused on what was important, improving the Lagos skyline. The result is a bigger, better and bolder project every Lagosian would be proud of. The lesson here is when faced with difficult moments and the first thought is to fight, take a step back and reflect again, often times, there is another solution. 
 
As H.E Babajide Sanwo-Olu said, “It’s really about our state, who we are and what our commitment is. This is why this event is so important.

Falomo has a lot of history behind it - the name, the location, where is sits in Lagos, Ikoyi, it has decades of history behind it. This project would bring back the old name, glory and ambience we knew Falomo for - this is very phenomenal and its a history that we should not forget. This is the power of the private and public sector coming together to remove all differences, and agree on how things can be better.”
 
Thank you Erelu Adebayo, Yinka Ogunsulire, Uzoamaka Oshogwe, CEO of Afriland Properties Plc and the entire Afriland team for your resilience in seeing this through. As a Group with a track record of resilience and turnaround expertise, this is a momentous occasion that will mark the beginning of yet another milestone in our corporate history and future.
 
See you in 3 years when we commission the revival of a landmark - Falomo Towers!
 
#TOEWay #FalomoTowers #Africapitalism

#TOEWay

At Heirs Holdings, we create institutions that do more than just make profits – we do well in business and do good in society.

We carry a vision: To improve lives and transform Africa by investing our resources, our time, and our knowledge in critical sectors of the economy, and the UBA Group Graduate Management Accelerated Program (GMAP) is a testament to this vision.

UBA Group recently concluded its Graduate Management Accelerated Program – a program focused on identifying outstanding, young, fresh graduates across Africa, and equipping them with a wide range of specialized training to launch their careers in UBA Group, Africa’s Global Bank.

For me, it is a critical testament to our mission to be truly pan-African and truly invest in African talent. UBA is Africa’s Global Bank - we had young graduates from Cameroun, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and other African countries. There were 700 graduates in the 2023 GMAP cohort!

After undergoing the 6 months of intensive training program, spanning Treasury, Sales, Marketing and Customer Service, Financial Accounting, Risk Management, and Governance, these aspiring young professionals have now been equipped with the best skills and knowledge required to accelerate their banking career – and Africa.

We all know the reality when it comes to youth unemployment in Africa. Unemployment is the biggest challenge we face - a betrayal of a generation. We know governments alone cannot create all the jobs we need on the continent - so it is up to us, African private sector leaders to intervene and support the government in solving this unemployment deficit. And it is gratifying to see UBA play its part.

Listening to and interacting with the brilliant minds at the graduation ceremony, I am proud to say that we made the right decision. I would like to see branch managers form this cohort in the next 3 years and CEOs in the next 5 years. I believe that this is possible because we have selected the best talents, with the right enthusiasm and energy, and we, at UBA Group will continue to provide the right environment for them to flourish - this is a testament to our corporate mantra of “building to last”.

We have all learned the importance of Enterprise, Excellence, and Execution. So, congratulations to you all, the world is just about to start.

My sincerest appreciation goes out to the Group Managing Director, UBA Group, Oliver Alawuba, and his executive team, as well as our Group HR Director, Katrina Modupe Akindele, and her amazing team for delivering this wonderful project.

And to everyone else who was part of this dream, I appreciate so much your commitment to transforming lives the #HeirsHoldingsWay, #TheUBAWay #TheTOEWay.

I had a great time meeting H.E Hakainde Hichilema, the President of Zambia and the UBA team in Zambia.

The visit centered around UBA Group’s involvement in Zambia’s economic transformation and The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s economic empowerment of the youth of Zambia. This comes at a crucial time as we just announced 98 Zambian beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme.

It was great meeting a President that is also focused of empowering the youth.

#TOEWay #Africapitalism #TEF2021 #entrepreneurship

I participated in the Clinton Global Initiative panel on #Philanthropy, on the sidelines of #UNGA78, alongside co-panelist Carmen Rojas, PhD (she/her), President of Marguerite Casey Foundation and moderated by Jonathan Capehart of The Washington Post and MSNBC.

I underscored the critical role of Africapitalism in transforming Africa, both socially and economically. Africapitalism is my belief that the African private sector has the power to transform our continent, creating both economic prosperity and social wealth.

I referenced my personal life story - I was born in Africa, educated in Africa, I live in Africa, and I have created wealth in Africa. I see every day on our continent, young talented, energetic, intelligent, ambitious young men and women who want to succeed and transform Africa, but lack the capital, training, and networking.

I didn’t start from the top. However, with luck – being at the right place at the right time, unmatched mentoring, dedication, and hard work, I am who I am today, and I have seen firsthand how success in entrepreneurship can help address many of Africa’s societal needs.

In 2013, my wife and I decided to recreate the opportunity that we experienced, it was time to play our part in helping to democratize luck and empower a generation of African entrepreneurs, who will help to develop and transform Africa. We founded The Tony Elumelu Foundation, committing $100 million dollars to the Foundation, to play our own role in economic transformation. This is Africapitalism. It is a call on the African private sector to invest in critical sectors that will help to transform humanity.

I shared with the global leaders present – the significant impact TEF has made in the last 10 years – impact documented in our just launched independent impact report. What started as a family funded endeavor, has grown bigger than we could have imagined. Today, we have empowered over 18,000 young entrepreneurs, each with $5,000 non-refundable seed capital, equipped them with modern-day business training, and worldclass mentorship to enable them scale up their businesses and succeed.

However, we do not do this alone, we have partners – the UNDP, the European Commission, and important others, and we just announced our partnership with the IKEA Foundation to join us in empowering innovative African entrepreneurs whose ideas can solve Africa’s climate issues. Collectively, we can do so much more!

Africa has an estimated 1.6 billion people, and over 65% are below 30. If this population is economically engaged, it can yield a significant demographic dividend for our continent and all of us in the world. If they are not, the consequences are frankly catastrophic.

I charged everyone in the room to become Africapitalists. Read more..https://lnkd.in/dTMwAJdn

#TOEWay #TOEatUNGA #Africapitalism

Wishing everyone a blessed Easter filled with joy, faith and love!

#Easter #TOEWay

At Heirs Holdings, we have simple vision: that our fellow Africans should have the tools to transform their lives, themselves – power, healthcare, infrastructure, financial services. We want to empower, offer choices, create the pathways to success. Insurance is one of those tools. When HH expanded into the insurance sector, we had a clear vision – to revolutionise and democratise access to insurance services as we did in banking, and with our long-term commitment, it is imperative that we continue to evolve, reimagine, and remodel our business practices to attain our goal.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Wole Fayemi as the new Chief Executive Officer of Heirs General Insurance, as well as the company’s name change, from Heirs Insurance to Heirs General Insurance. Wole’s appointment is timely, as Heirs General Insurance enters its second year of operations. A foundation has been laid – and now we are growing.

Wole comes with deep knowledge of the insurance industry and excellent business development skills. I have great confidence that his leadership will ensure Heirs General attains the next phase of its business growth.

For our Life Insurance business, Heirs Life Assurance, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Oluwatosin Adebayo-Yusuf as the new Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Heirs Life. Tosin joined the team in 2021, as the Head of Individual Life Operations and has subsequently risen up, occupying several leadership positions including Head, Bancassurance. Talent grows and flourishes at Heirs Holdings.

These important announcements reflect the new business direction for both companies, as we continue to focus on simplifying access to insurance services and improving lives – the Heirs Holdings way.

#TOEWay #Insurance #ImprovingLives

Celebrating Heirs Holdings Women: Honouring Achievements, Championing Inclusion and Leadership.
 
March is women’s month from International Women’s Day (IWD) to Mother’s Day.  I am dedicating the rest of this month to celebrating our women from my mum to my wife, sisters, Heirs Holdings female CEOs, Directors, and female colleagues, you have all been impactful in my life story and business.  I have been influenced by women all through my life, and always positively.  I am and will be a strong advocate for inclusion in every area of life.  I have witnessed first-hand the impact of investing in, working with, and learning from women.
 
I am a product of strong female forces in my life. My first influence was my mother, whose experience as an entrepreneur served as my initiation into a world where hard work translates to success. The formative years with her made me into the entrepreneur and leader that I am today. As a father of five girls, I am also deeply influenced by the responsibility of fatherhood. My wife, Awele, and I, are not only shaping our daughters' futures, but also showing them what is possible through hard work, resilience, and discipline.
 
At work, I am continuously inspired by our women who have shattered ceilings. At Heirs Holdings, 40% of our CEOs are women, with 36% representation at the executive management level.  At UBA Group, 50% of our board members are women, with 8 remarkable female CEOs steering the ship of Africa’s most formidable financial institution.
 
Across our Group, the message is clear: the leadership table is set for everyone and anyone willing to work hard.
 
The Tony Elumelu Foundation, our philanthropic arm, also serves as an expression of our commitment to gender inclusion.  Since inception, we have disbursed USD40million to support female entrepreneurs across 54 African countries.  Over 650,000 women have received technical support from TEF, women who are creating jobs – over 150,000 jobs created on the continent, impacting their communities!
 
For us, gender inclusion is in our DNA.  We believe that together, we can create a future where every individual, regardless of gender, can achieve their full potential and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous world.
 
Happy Women’s Month. #TOEWay

When I visited Washington this spring to explore partnership opportunities with the U.S. government, I wondered what kind of reception to expect. Although President Biden pledged early in his term to reengage with the continent, major policy initiatives remain unclear, and America’s absence on the continent has been felt.

This contrasts with U.S. allies and adversaries alike, who continue to show real commitment in their relationships.

Read the full article here -
https://lnkd.in/duyzwmi5

Africa To The World!

I look forward to welcoming His Excellency, Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization, and Makhtar Diop, Managing Director, IFC - International Finance Corporation, to this year’s edition of UBA Africa Conversations, a high-level panel session in celebration of Africa Day.

This year's theme “Africa to the World” will focus on fostering a strong and inclusive economic recovery post-COVID, with particular emphasis on the roles that government and private sector must play. With Africans holding significant roles at the WTO, the IFC and the WHO, I believe there is no better time to showcase  African excellence and prioritise issues facing the continent with the world’s youngest and fastest growing population.
 
Join the conversation, register here: https://lnkd.in/e2Ac_K6
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Time: 12pm WAT

#AfricaDay #TOEWay #Africapitalism

As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's state visit to France, in the presence of H.E, Tinubu and the President of France, H.E, Emmanuel Macron, I signed a business cooperation agreement with the French Finance Minister, Antoine Armand, in my capacity as the Chairman of UBA Group.

This partnership reinforces our commitment to seamless international banking services for our customers, not just across the 11 Francophone African countries we serve, but Africa as a whole; and French and European customers transacting with Africa.

Expanding into France is a natural progression, with Paris serving as our European Union hub, as we continue to bring Africa and the world together, through innovative financial solutions. Paris will join London, New York and Dubai, as a critical component of our unique global network.
 
Read the full announcement here. https://lnkd.in/d23_fFqT

#TOEWay

Soundbites from my yesterday’s fireside chat with Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada (EDC), and Canada’s Development Finance Institution (FinDev), moderated by Lori Kerr, CEO FinDev Canada.

We discussed the issues women entrepreneurs and others in Africa face, and I shared practical solutions to these challenges from my experience interacting with young African entrepreneurs that we empower at The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

#TOEWay #Entrepreneurship #Africapitalism