He is also a philanthropist and the founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.
As of November 11, 2015, he was ranked as one of Africa's richest 50 people with a net worth of $700 Million, according to Forbes.
But before all of this, Elumelu was simply a salesman. In a lengthy blog post titled, '5 Years of Spreading Luck - Everyone Needs a Little Help', he shares his inspiring story.
In his words, "I started my career as a salesman, a copier salesman to be specific, young, hungry, and hardworking, but the reality was that I was just one of thousands of young Nigerian graduates, all eager to succeed. How did I get from there to where I am now? Of course, hard work, resilience, a long-term vision - but also luck."
Tony Elumelu's incredible story
Elumelu's journey to who he now began when he applied to join Allstates Trust Bank a year after earning his Master's degree in Economics from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
He applied with his 2:2 Economics degree (Second Class, lower division) in spite of the bank's requirement - a minimum 2:1 degree (Second Class, upper division).
I know I may not have met the qualifying criteria for the advertised roles, but I am intelligent, driven, ambitious and I will make the bank proud. My 2:2 degree does not demonstrate the full extent of my intelligence and ability, and I know I can do so much more," his cover letter read.
This words caught the eye of the Chairman/CEO at the time, who decided to give him a chance despite being "unqualified". 27-year-old Elumelu was hired as an entry-level analyst after passing the due process.
In 12 months, he became the youngest bank branch manager at the time. He credits this to his bosses Toyin Akin-Johnson and Ebitimi Banigo. "They took a chance on me by appointing me as branch manager after an incredibly short time in the bank. My rise to Branch Manager within a short period is a great story but I know in my heart, I was lucky, as well as deserving", he writes.
He adds that this position laid the foundation for the rest of his career including when he led a small group of investors to take over struggling Crystal Bank in 1997.
Now, Elumelu says he is committed to helping others which is exactly why he started his foundation in 2010.
He says, "I promised to leverage the success I have enjoyed, to spread luck and hope, provide opportunities and to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs to succeed.
"Without luck in my early career, I would not be the man that I am today. I am a leader and philanthropist today because I encountered people who gave me a chance early in my career. It has been a lifetime goal to pay this forward in a transformative and impactful way."
The Tony Elumelu Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 2019 entrepreneurship programme.from pulse.ng
Hardwork, focus and grace... God this year favour me..
ReplyDeleteI love success stories, God bless this man, Amen🙏.
Olusweets!!!
Hard work, resilience, intelligence, motivatio and some luck is what I gather from here. Not sitting with fingers typing trolling people, expecting a hand down and feeling so entitled that somebody must give you money. Hope the message goes across to the youth of today.
ReplyDeleteHe did not tell the main story; how did he jump from "branch manager" to "leading small group of investors?"
ReplyDeleteThe thing smells of magu magu the Nigerian way of doing things.
Now you are talking
DeleteMy brother read and entertain urself no believe everything u read here,becos na Wetin u wan hear dem go tell u
DeleteThis man's Standard Trust Bank was a criminal enterprise.
DeleteHe should be in jail if Nigeria na better country.Himself,jim ovia etc are supposed to rot in prison.
DeleteThey manipulated the stock exchange and caused huge loses to investors.
He is not a source of inspiration for me o.
You are just jealous . Can we see or hear your own broke criminal story? Instead of you to just pick one or two things and make the best of your 2019, mbanu!! U must talk like onye anya ufu!! It's not easy to run a business my people , even churches are trying to have branches everywhere and you think say na beans?
DeleteAnonymous 22:37 is just saying the truth. If you follow the financial market you will understand where he is coming from.
DeleteLydia,
DeleteYou are very stupid for your comment on my opinion.That is why we are are where we are as a nation.A lot of people were duped by this so called rich or successful men.can we compare his success story with that of Microsoft ,apple or facebook founders?as long as we continue to have I don't care attitude to how people dupe others to become champions we as a nation will get nowhere.next time jump and pass rather than writing stupid comments as responses to other people's views
😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
ReplyDeleteThank u sir.
nice one.
ReplyDeleteDoes he have brothers ???? i want to check something !!!!
ReplyDeleteA few, most prominent among his siblings them is ex Hon in the House of Reps, Ndudi Elumelu.
DeleteGood for him.. i love success stories
ReplyDeleteThe key thing he said here is Hard work. He didn't say a pastor prayed for him or he went to this crusade. He didn't even mention favour. But rather hard work and luck.
ReplyDeleteI am not disputing the God factor in his success. But Nigeria has become one where people pray more and attend church crusade than working hard and bettering themselves through mentorship also. He mentioned two mentors Ebitimi Baningo and one other.
Rather some people go to Pastors instead of having actual mentors in their field.
I once hired a staff and one of the first things she told me is she goes to church twice a week. So she will be needing two days off. How does someone ask for a day off during the week. Does that even show seriousness. Because where she attends the programme is far,so on Wednesdays she won't be coming. Imagine that.
Hmmmm, I just tire for our country people mentality.
DeleteVery good but if I come with my 2.2 now UBA will chase me away. Ok o
ReplyDeleteAnnon 17:53, you are so right and a lot of under the table deals, a lot of round tripping and bending of banking rules. No doubt he has done good for himself and he is one of the people I admire in Nigeria. He won't mention all those deals...but in all we should celebrate him. Thanks
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY!!!!
DeleteWhat I take from the story is resilience, no fear of rejection, a willingness to work hard and a teachable spirit. He also seems great at spotting opportunities and he has a grateful heart, thanking the people who gave him his lucky break despite it being years ago. Some people on this blog collect giveaway, say a quick God bless you and disappear. They don't come back to update us with their progress, talk less of becoming givers themselves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for encouraging us. God bless my huzzle🙏. I want to testify too soonest
ReplyDeleteNa so na. After buying transcorp shares, price fell. Till date my hard earn cash I invested has no value again. God is watching
ReplyDelete