“I was only 27” – Tony Elumelu on opportunity that changed his life forever

Chairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu, has revealed how an early opportunity in his career changed his life and laid the foundation for his later achievements in business and philanthropy.

Elumelu recalled that at just 27, he was appointed branch manager of the now defunct AllStates Trust Bank, a responsibility that was unusual for someone so young at the time.

According to him, the experience became a turning point.

“At that time, few believed a 27-year-old could successfully lead a bank branch. But that opportunity changed the entire course of my life. It gave me confidence. It gave me a platform. Most importantly, it gave me perspective,” he said.

The business mogul explained that the Nigerian banking sector of the 1990s was entering a period of transformation, and being trusted with such leadership at an early stage fueled his drive to empower the next generation.

He stressed that his dedication to youth empowerment through the Tony Elumelu Foundation was born out of that personal journey, noting that just as someone once invested in him, he is now committed to investing in young Africans.

“When I was 27, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime: I became a branch manager at AllStates Trust Bank, a young bank in Nigeria,” Elumelu wrote.

“Banking was beginning to change the country, it was the sector to be in, ripe for transformation, ready for disruption, for democratisation.

“At that time, few believed a 27-year-old could successfully lead a bank branch. But that opportunity changed the entire course of my life.

“It gave me confidence. It gave me a platform. Most importantly, it gave me perspective.

“That’s why today, I am passionate about giving young people the same chance I was given. Because I know what’s possible when someone believes in you early.

“This belief is at the heart of everything we do at The Tony Elumelu Foundation. It’s why we invest in young African entrepreneurs – because someone once invested in me.

“My journey didn’t begin with capital. It began with trust,” he added.

Elumelu urged continued belief in Africa’s youth, insisting they are “ready to lead, grow, and transform our continent.”

“Let’s keep believing in Africa’s youth. They are ready to lead, grow and transform our continent,” he said.