Tony Elumelu Speaks on His Journey to Becoming a Bank Owner From an Unqualified Applicant

Tony Elumelu Speaks on His Journey to Becoming a Bank Owner From an Unqualified Applicant

  • Charismatic Billionaire, Tony Elumelu has provided insight into his journey to becoming a bank owner
  • Elumelu revealed how he applied for the job despite not having the necessary requirements
  • Today, Elumelu is the Chair of the Board of the United Bank for Africa and founder, of the Tony Elumelu Foundation

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Tony Elumelu has shared his successful journey, how he got his first banking job, and how he rose to become one of Nigeria's most successful and influential men.

In a post on his verified Facebook account on Friday 3 February 2023 he said he got his first banking job which he had applied for a few years after his Master’s degree programme even when he knew he did not meet the job requirement.

Read also

"God bless Mr Timothy": Nollywood star Kate Henshaw celebrates mechanic who returned N10.8m

According to Elumelu, the bank had specified it needed graduates with at least Second Class Upper degrees.

Tony Elumelu
Tony Elumelu transformation Credit: @tonyelumelu
Source: Facebook

However, he applied for the job even though he had a Second Class Lower degree

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

He said:

“Because I identified what I wanted in life and I was going to work towards it.”

Elumelu got his breakthrough

He said he got the job and spent every day proving himself and earning his luck at the bank. Punch reports.

Elumelu said:

“I had always admired the banking profession, for one, I loved that the guys in the profession were always impeccably dressed… suspenders were a huge thing then, and I wanted to look like them.
“A few years later, after my Masters, I saw the application for graduates with a minimum of 2:1 in All States Trust Bank, this aligned with what I wanted for my life, but my 2:2 grade did not make me qualified, still,

Read also

Peter Obi supporter revokes citizenship, tears passport into shreds and vows never to return to Nigeria

“I applied, because I identified what I wanted in life and I was going to work towards it. I put in my application and said ‘Even though I do not meet these requirements if you give me the chance, I will prove myself’.
"I got this job and spent every day proving myself and earning my luck in the bank.”

Elumelu message for youths

Elumelu then used the opportunity to motivate the youths and corp members who completed their National Youth Service the day before.

He states:

“Do it afraid and do it unsure! To the young ones out there, especially those who just passed out of NYSC yesterday, this is my message to you. The world needs your courage."

Otedola to sell shares of Its electricity company, Geregu Power, to Nigerians, adds N250bn to Stock Exchange

Meanwhile in another report Legit.ng revealed that billionaire Femi Otedola officially listed his electricity company, Geregu Power Plc, on the Nigerian exchange.

Read also

Mechanic returns N10.8m mistakenly transferred to his account, gets celebrated publicly in lovely video

The development allows the public to become part owners by buying the company’s shares for N100 per share.

Geregu Power plc is one of Nigeria's major power generation companies (Genco), and Otedola has stated that it would be his primary business focus.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Dave Ibemere avatar

Dave Ibemere (Senior Business Editor) Dave Ibemere is a senior business editor at Legit.ng. He is a financial journalist with over a decade of experience in print and online media. He also holds a Master's degree from the University of Lagos. He is a member of the African Academy for Open-Source Investigation (AAOSI), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and other media think tank groups. He previously worked with The Guardian, BusinessDay, and headed the business desk at Ripples Nigeria. Email: dave.ibemere@corp.legit.ng.