Tony Elumelu Reveals How He Became CEO At 34

Nigerian billionaire businessman, Tony Elumelu has recounted how he rose to the highest position in his career at age 34.

Naija News reports that the billionaire, who is now chairman of Heirs Holdings and Transcorp as well as founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, recalled his experience in a post on his Facebook page.

He wrote: “I had just become CEO of Standard Trust Bank and one of the youngest bank CEOs in Nigeria. It was a time of fast-paced change in our industry, and reform-minded policymakers had opened up paths for consolidation and strengthening our sector. Competition was intense – but youth was not a barrier. I owed my accelerated career and successes to two things: hard work and luck, and I know first-hand how these factors are inextricable in success.

“My successes – and yes failures – have always driven me to create opportunities for young people.

“I believe that our young have the talent and the zeal to transform our world.”

Before starting his career as a salesmale, Elumelu worked at Union Bank during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in 1985 and subsequently joined Allstates Trust Bank.

He led a small group of investors to take over struggling Crystal Bank in 1997 and the firm was renamed Standard Trust Bank.

Standard Trust Bank merged with United Bank for Africa (UBA) in 2005 and Elumelu became the group managing director of one of the most recognisable financial institutions in Africa.