Impact Maker
Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu CFR
Anthony Onyemaechi Elumelu CFR is a Nigerian economist and Philanthropist. He hails from Onicha-Ukwu in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Elumelu studied Economics at Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University) obtaining a Bachelor of Science with a Master degree in Economics at the University of Lagos.
Elumelu worked in the Nigerian Bank Union Bank as a Youth Corp member during his National Youth Service Corps in 1985 before starting his career as a salesman.
Elumelu subsequently joined Allstates Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) was acquired afterwards.
In 1997, Elumelu led a small group of Investors to take over a struggling Crystal Bank (later renamed Standard Trust Bank). He turned it profitable within a few years and in 2005, he led one of the largest mergers in the banking sector in Sub-Saharan Africa by acquiring United Bank for Africa (UBA).
Following the merger of Standard Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa in 2005, Elumelu led the company as Group Managing Director from a single-country banking group to a pan-African bank with subsidiaries in 20 African countries, France, the U.S and the U.K.
Elumelu currently chairs the board of the United Bank for Africa.
On April 14, 2021, Elumelu was officially handed the Certificate of Discharge of the iconic hospitality facility. The National Council on Privatization (NCP), which is chaired by the Vice President of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, handed over full ownership of Transcorp Hotels to the Chairman after fulfilling all privatization conditions attached to the sale of the property in 2005.
Following his retirement from United Bank for Africa in 2010, Elumelu founded Heirs Holdings, his family-owned holding company, the same year he founded The Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based foundation championing entrepreneurship in Africa.
In 2015, Elumelu committed $100 million to create 10,000 entrepreneurs across Africa over the next 10 years through the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme.
In 2003, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured Elumelu with the title of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
In 2012, he was awarded the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for his service in promoting private enterprise.
He was awarded the Daily Times, Nigerian man of the year in 2016.
In 2018 and 2019 he was awarded the All-Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Bayero University Kano (BUK) – Honorary Doctor of Business degree in 2019.
He was honoured with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award in 2019.
TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020.
On 11 October 2022, Elumelu received the National honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic.
In 1993, Elumelu married Awele Vivien Elumelu, a medical doctor and their union is blessed with children.
Jim James Ovia, CFR, CON
Jim James Ovia, CFR, CON is a Nigerian businessman, born on November 4, 1951. He hails from Agbor, a southern region, of Nigeria.
Ovia holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana, Monroe, Louisiana, USA in 1979 and a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA in 1977. He is also an Alumnus of Harvard Business School.
In 1990, he founded Zenith Bank Plc., Nigeria’s tier-1 bank and one of the most profitable financial institutions in the country. In 2010, he moved into the Chairman role of Zenith Bank.
During two decades of leadership, he helped position the bank as one of the largest and most profitable in Africa.
Ovia is the founder of Visafone Communications Limited; and the Chairman of both the Nigerian Software Development Initiative (NSDI); and the National Information Technology Advisory Council (NITAC).
He is a member of the Honorary International Investor Council as well as the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). He is the Chairman of Cyberspace Network Limited.
In September 2018, Ovia authored the book titled ‘Africa, Rise and Shine’, published with Forbes Books.
Ovia is a member of the Governing Council of Lagos State University, Lagos and a member of the Board of Trustees, Redeemer’s University For Nations, Lagos. He was a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (1999–2007). He served on the board of American International School, Lagos (2001–2003).
Ovia headed numerous NGOs at various times. He served as the first President of the Nigeria Internet Group (2001–2003). He is the founder and Chairman of Mankind United to Support Total Education (MUSTE), a philanthropic organisation focusing on providing scholarships for the less privileged.
He is the founder of the Youth Empowerment / ICT Foundation, which focuses on improving the socio-economic welfare of Nigerian youths by inspiring and motivating them to embrace Information and communication technology.
In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by the former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Ovia was awarded an honorary doctorate in the 50th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos.