I’m a product of strong female forces, says Tony Elumelu

I’m a product of strong female forces, says Tony Elumelu

Tony Elumelu has acknowledged the impact women have made in his life and has chosen to celebrate this dedicating the rest of the month (March) empowering them.

The foremost economist and philanthropist said having been a product of strong female forces, he would be dedicating his social media accounts to honouring the women in his life.

The Heirs Holdings chairman stated that he had been positively influenced all his life by women, including his mother, wife, and sisters.

He wrote on X: “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.”

He stated that he is a father of five girls and, together with his wife Awele Elumelu, he is showing his daughters “what is possible through hard work, resilience and discipline.”

He also acknowledged Heirs Holding female CEOs, directors, and colleagues, whom he said had all been impactful in his life and business.

On LinkedIn, he wrote: “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.”

He stated that he is and will continue to be a strong advocate for inclusion in every area of life.

He wrote: “I have witnessed first-hand the impact of investing in, working with, and learning from women.”

He added: “We will continue to provide the platform, visibility, and opportunity for female advancement.”

He then detailed how he, through his foundation and businesses, is working towards gender inclusion.

He wrote: “The Tony Elumelu Foundation, our philanthropic arm, also serves as an expression of our commitment to gender inclusion.

“Since inception, we have disbursed USD40 million 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.”