Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and founder of Heirs Holdings Tony Elumelu has reflected on how he became a bank branch manager at the age of 27.
In a post on X on Friday, the 62-year-old said the opportunity was given to him by HRM Ebitimi Banigo at the defunct AllStates Trust Bank.
“At 27, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime: branch manager at AllStates Trust Bank, Nigeria, by HRM Ebitimi Banigo. Many doubted a young man could lead a bank branch. That chance changed the entire course of my life. It gave me confidence, a platform, and perspective,” he wrote.
Mr Elumelu shared three lessons from the experience.
He said age should not be seen as a barrier to leadership, noting that commitment, clarity of vision and execution were the important factors.
He also stressed that trust was more important than capital at the beginning of his career, explaining that being trusted with responsibility propelled him to greater opportunities.
According to him, perspective was another important factor in leadership, as leaders should focus on empowerment, direction and clarity rather than doing everything themselves.
The business mogul tied the lessons from his past to his present-day efforts to support young Africans through the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), which was launched in 2010.
The foundation runs the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, which provides training, mentorship, networking and seed capital to thousands of African entrepreneurs every year.
Elumelu said he remains committed to investing in youth because someone once invested in him.
“My story is proof that when we trust in our youth, they are ready to lead, grow, and transform our continent. Let’s keep believing in Africa’s youth,” he added.
Tony Elumelu began his banking career with Union Bank before moving to AllStates Trust Bank.
He later led the acquisition of Crystal Bank, which was renamed Standard Trust Bank and eventually merged it with UBA in 2005.
