President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated prominent businessman and philanthropist, Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a leading figure in Africa’s economic development.
In a statement issued on March 22, President Tinubu hailed Elumelu as “an African business icon and a standout advocate of the Nigerian and African enterprise.”
The President commended Elumelu’s leadership across major institutions, including Heirs Holdings, United Bank for Africa, and Transcorp, noting that his career reflects resilience and a commitment to excellence.
“He is a shining example of resilience, and the excellence that governs his entire enterprise continues to inspire a new generation of African entrepreneurs,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu also praised Elumelu’s promotion of Africapitalism, describing it as a philosophy that has helped shape inclusive economic growth across the continent.
As an advocate for youth development, the President highlighted the achievements of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
“As an avid believer in investing in the youth, I especially commend the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s entrepreneurship programme, which has trained millions of young Africans and empowered thousands with seed capital to build sustainable businesses,” he stated.
According to the Presidency, the programme has trained about 2.5 million young Africans in 54 countries and supported over 24,000 entrepreneurs with non-refundable seed funding of $5,000 each.
“As he celebrates this special occasion, I join his family and friends in wishing him good health, strength, and continued success in his pursuits,” the President added.