Tony Elumelu Meets Tinubu: 5 Possible Outcomes

Tony Elumelu, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation recently met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House. 

Speaking after his meeting, Elumelu said, “The private sector is encouraged by the bold decisions President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken and we hope that in the fullness of time, Nigerians will benefit from it because it is all about the Nigerian people.” 

The meeting between Tony Elumelu and Bola Ahmed Tinubu carries the potential to set various wheels in motion. This interaction bears implications that reach beyond a mere exchange of pleasantries. Let’s examine some possible outcomes that could emerge from the meeting.

Large-scale women empowerment

The Tinubu-led administration could witness large-scale women empowerment. Addressing newsmen after meeting with the president said, “It is all about making sure that women are involved and empowered.”

Tony Elumelu who leads a foundation that aims to empower women and men across our continent, can facilitate a partnership with the Nigerian government that will see the empowerment of more women. 

Also,  a partnership with Elumelu could bring in more women into governance. This is as a recent report revealed that Elumelu’s United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has the highest female board composition level at 50 per cent.

Improved youth involvement

As a Nigerian entrepreneur, Tony Elumelu once said, “We must all work hard to put the youth out of the streets. Failure to do so will spell doom for all of us.” This statement reflects his commitment to ensuring that Nigerian youths have better placement in society.

Also, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is promoting youth-led innovation in Africa through its flagship programme, the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEFEP). 

So, when Elumelu came out after meeting with Tinubu and said “It is all about the youths,”  it signals that the nation could witness enhanced youth development in Nigeria. 

A Tinubu-Elumelu collaboration could potentially lead to initiatives that promote skills training, startup funding, and mentorship, creating a conducive environment for youth innovation and economic participation.

Improved privatisation

Elumelu’s passion for entrepreneurship is rooted in the economic philosophy of ‘Africapitalism’, a term that he coined to emphasize the role Africa’s private sector must play in the socio-economic transformation of the continent.

The meeting between Tinubu and Elumelu could pave the way for enhanced privatization efforts in Nigeria. It could also lead to discussions on policy reforms, investment strategies, and the identification of sectors that could benefit from privatization, such as infrastructure and utilities.

Job creation and entrepreneurship opportunities

Also, Elumelu said, “It is all about making sure our youths get jobs and I think Mr. President has this at the back of his mind and I believe, as a private sector person, that the actions and the decisions the president is taking now will help our people in the long run.”

Elumelu’s renowned commitment to entrepreneurship and empowerment, as exemplified through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, aligns with the urgent need to provide opportunities for the country’s young population.

By leveraging Elumelu’s expertise and the foundation’s established programs, Nigeria stands to witness an amplified focus on youth-oriented projects, translating into a more empowered and skilled youth population, vital for the nation’s sustainable growth and progress.

Favourable economic policies

The UBA Group Chairman said the private sector is encouraged by Tinubu’s bold decisions. His encouragement could steer Tinubu towards formulating economic strategies that prioritize job creation, innovation, and sustainable development.

Tinubu could also champion more policies that attract foreign investment, stimulate local entrepreneurship, and enhance sectors critical to Nigeria’s economic diversification.