Charismatic Billionaire, Tony Elumelu has provided insight into his journey to becoming a bank owner. He said he had applied for the job despite not having the necessary requirements Today, Elumelu is the Chair of the Board of the United Bank for Africa and founder, of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Tony Elumelu has shared his successful journey, how he got his first banking job, and how he rose to become one of Nigeria’s most successful and influential men.
In a post on his verified Facebook account on 3rd February 2023, he said he got his first banking job which he had applied for a few years after his Master’s degree programme even when he knew he did not meet the job requirement.
According to Elumelu, the bank had specified it needed graduates with at least Second Class Upper degrees.
However, he applied for the job even though he had a Second Class Lower degree. He also added that he got the job and spent every day proving himself and earning his luck at the bank.
Read his story below;
“I recall my Youth Service days in Sokoto, a young man, fresh out of school, enjoying the drinks we could afford (lol) and unsure about the next steps.
“In my uncertainty, I was sure of one thing, I will stand out wherever I found myself, through hard work and resilience. “I had always admired the banking profession, for one, I loved that the guys in the profession were always impeccably dressed… suspenders were a huge thing then, and I wanted to look like them.
“A few years later, after my Masters, I saw the application for graduates with a minimum of 2:1 in All States Trust Bank, this aligned with what I wanted for my life, but my 2:2 grade did not make me qualified.
Still, I applied, because I identified what I wanted in life and I was going to work towards it. “I put in my application and said ‘Even though I do not meet these requirements if you give me the chance, I will prove myself.
“I got this job and spent every day proving myself and earning my luck in the bank.” Elumelu then used the opportunity to motivate the youths and corp members who completed their National Youth Service the day before.
“Do it afraid and do it unsure! To the young ones out there, especially those who just passed out of NYSC yesterday, this is my message to you. The world needs your courage,” He added.
Credit: Tony Elumelu Facebook Page
Source: Allschool
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What university degree did Tony Elumelu graduate with?
He graduated with a Second Class Lower in Economics from Ambrose Alli University (formerly Bendel State University).
How did Tony Elumelu get his first banking job despite a lower degree?
He applied for a job he wasn’t academically qualified for and impressed the interviewers with his confidence and vision, which earned him the role.
What was Tony Elumelu’s breakthrough moment in banking?
His breakthrough came when he led a group of investors to acquire and transform Standard Trust Bank, which later merged with UBA.
What is the Tony Elumelu Foundation?
It’s a philanthropic organization that supports African entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and training through its TEF Entrepreneurship Programme.
What lessons can young people learn from Tony Elumelu’s story?
Academic setbacks don’t define your future. With courage, self-belief, and hard work, you can create your own success story.