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5 Years of Spreading Luck – Everyone Needs a Little Help

Published

7 years ago

January 1, 2019

In business the role luck plays in success and personal achievement is rarely discussed. If luck is mentioned, it is done with slight condescension, and usually dismissed as a product of hard work, not deserving significant attention. While hard work is paramount – and I have written extensively about the importance of working hard – history and my own experiences show that there is often a large element of success that hard work alone cannot explain. It is simply not true that “you make your own luck.”

I started my career as a salesman, a copier salesman to be specific, young, hungry, and hardworking, but the reality was that I was just one of thousands of young Nigerian graduates, all eagerof young Nigerian graduates, all eager to succeed. How did I get from there to where I am now? Of course, hard work, resilience, a long-term vision – but also luck.

A year later after earning my Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Lagos, I applied to join a new generation bank, Allstates Trust Bank. The bank’s one-page newspaper advertisement demanded a minimum 2:1-degree, but I applied regardless, submitting a cover letter and filled out application with my 2:2-Economics degree.

By a stroke of luck, my application was reviewed by the Chairman/CEO, a painstaking man who carefully read my cover letter and was drawn to the confidence in my words. “I know I may not have met the qualifying criteria for the advertised roles, but I am intelligent, driven, ambitious and I will make the bank proud. My 2:2 degree does not demonstrate the full extent of my intelligence and ability, and I know I can do so much more.” He read those words and took a chance on me. Though “unqualified”, he decided to throw me a lifeline, an opportunity.

I was invited to join the shortlist, followed by a long series of interviews and even more tests. At the end of a very rigorous process, I received good news – I had a place as an entry level analyst. Even now, I wonder: What if the Founder had not personally gone through my application? What if my application was rejected at the very beginning? What if I never got the opportunity to work at Allstates Trust Bank?

The story continues: within 12 months at the bank, aged 27, I went from analyst to branch manager – the youngest ever bank branch manager at the time. I was hard working, energetic, creative and prioritised getting things done, but it was also good fortune that my bosses Toyin Akin-Johnson and Ebitimi Banigo took notice, and then, believed in me. They took a chance on me by appointing me as branch manager after an incredibly short time in the bank. They recognised in me the raw materials needed to make a good leader and were prepared to invest in me and my ability. My rise to Branch Manager within a short period is a great story but I know in my heart, I was lucky, as well as deserving.

This position of branch manager was a solid platform which launched me into several top leadership roles. When we, a small group of hungry, determined, young outsiders, took over struggling Crystal Bank, it was as a direct result of the preparedness and exposure that we received early from our superiors and mentors. Without the intervention and goodwill of these people in my career, I would not have been prepared as I was to take on far greater roles. These learning opportunities laid the pathway to future achievements. Put simply, I was lucky enough to be identified and trusted so early on in my career, and this put me on a unique road to success. I keep this in mind – it is humbling and also drives much of what I do today.

When I left UBA as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2010 to pursue other interests, I made a vow that through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, I would “institutionalise” luck and democratise access to opportunities for young Africans. I promised to leverage the success I have enjoyed, to spread luck and hope, provide opportunities and to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs to succeed. Without luck in my early career, I would not be the man that I am today. I am a leader and philanthropist today because I encountered people who gave me a chance early in my career. It has been a lifetime goal to pay this forward in a transformative and impactful way.

Over the past three decades I have spent as a banker, investor, and turnaround expert, I have had the opportunity to meet thousands of entrepreneurs, like me. Many of them young people, with incredible dreams and business ideas but without the experience or the access to mentoring and support required in order to build successful businesses. But most importantly, they have not yet been exposed to the right opportunity.

Our entrepreneurs are hard at work across the continent, identifying gaps in the market for specific products and services, and bridging these gaps with their innovation and ingenuity. Yet, many of these budding entrepreneurs often lack the capital, the networks, the training, the support to take their small business to national or regional scale. All they need is a helping hand, some luck, someone to believe in them and take a chance on them.

This is what the Tony Elumelu Foundation offers: a platform that empowers African entrepreneurs– from business management training, to mentoring, to funding to networking – championing their cause and giving them a global voice to actualise their ambitions. This is precisely why I launched the USD$100 million Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs. Indeed, these may be the next UBAs (United Bank for Africa).

So, when I am asked, “Tony, why are you and your family doing this? What is in it for you?” I smile and recount my own story of luck. Luck is real, it is powerful, and I am committed to spreading it as far as I can. I am a beneficiary of luck, and I am passionate about sharing it across the continent, to all 54 countries.

I want our young aspiring entrepreneurs to apply. I want you to be a part of this global movement for good. I encourage you to be bold enough to let luck find you. There will be 1260 places open from January 1, 2019. Will you be among the lucky ones this year? Take a chance on yourself. Your future may begin today. Apply now at TEFCONNECT.COM

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HabariPay Launches Maiden “HabariPay Impact Report 2025”, Showcasing Its Journey, Business Evolution, and Contributions to Digital Payments

Published

5 days ago

June 11, 2026

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HabariPay Limited, the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”), has unveiled its maiden HabariPay Impact Report 2025, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive account of the company’s evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact on the digital payments landscape.The report captures HabariPay’s transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers, highlighting the milestones, strategic decisions, and investments that have shaped its growth. It showcases the company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions.The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the company’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions. The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.Speaking on the launch of the report, the Managing Director of HabariPay, Eduofon Japhet, said: “As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators. The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy.”She further added: “The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.”The report also showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.Looking ahead, the publication outlines HabariPay’s vision for the future, including continued investment in payment infrastructure, merchant solutions, digital innovation, and intelligent technologies that will shape the future of financial services.
To access the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, please click the below: https://squadco.com/impact-report/About HabariPayHabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations, and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.

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ZENITHBANKPARTNERSLAWMA,LASWATOCOMMEMORATEWORLDENVIRONMENT DAY 2026 WITH TWO-PHASE LAGOS CLEAN-UP

Published

1 week ago

June 5, 2026

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Inlinewithitscommitmenttoenvironmentalsustainabilityandresponsiblebusinesspractices,

ZenithBankPlchascommemoratedthe2026WorldEnvironmentDaywithatwo-phase

environmental clean-up initiative in LagosState, held under theglobal theme “Inspired by Nature.

For Climate. For Our Future.”

The first phase was a morning clean-upconducted by staff of the Bank on Wednesday,3 June

2026, along Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exercise mobilised employees to

clear waste, sensitise residents on proper disposal practices, and reinforce the Bank’s culture of

community service and environmental stewardship.

Thesecondphase,onThursday,4June2026,featuredawaterwaysclean-upattheFalomo

Waterways, Ikoyi, Lagos, executed in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority

(LAWMA)andtheLagosStateWaterwaysAuthority(LASWA).Thejointeffortfocusedon

removingmarinedebris,promotingcleanerwaterways,andsupportingtheState’sbroader

climate-resilience agenda.

Speakingontheinitiative,DameDr.AdaoraUmeoji,OON,GroupManagingDirector/CEOof

Zenith Bank Plc, said: “At Zenith Bank, sustainability is integral to how we operate. Clearing our

streetsandourwaterwaysisapracticalreminderthatprotectingtheenvironmentisashared

responsibility – and one we are proud to take up alongside LAWMA and LASWA. Through these

exercises, we aretaking deliberate action topreserve our communities,support climate action,

andinspireotherstoact.Ouroperationswillcontinuetoalignwithglobalenvironmental

standards as we build a more sustainable future for Nigeria and Africa.”

ZenithBankremainscommittedtoembeddingEnvironmental,SocialandGovernance(ESG)

principles across its operations, investing in green initiatives, energy efficiency, and community-

focused programmes. These efforts advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

–particularlySDG7(AffordableandCleanEnergy),SDG11(SustainableCitiesand

Communities)andSDG13(ClimateAction).Sustainabilityremainsanoperationalimperative

across the Bank’s Nigerian base and its broader African, UK and European footprints

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ZENITH BANK RENEWS COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN WITH EDUCATION, INCLUSION & OPPORTUNITY AT THE CORE

Published

3 weeks ago

May 26, 2026

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Much more than commemorating the annual Children’s Day marked every May 27, Zenith Bank Plc is championing the

narrativethatchildrenarethetrueleadersoftomorrow.TheBankhasdeepeneditsinvestmentincarefullycurated

initiativesthatelevatechildrenacrosseducation,financialliteracy,health,digitalinclusion,andsocialprotection,

building a generation equipped to thrive and lead. For Zenith Bank, every child matters, and the Bank’s footprint reflects

a deliberate, pan-African strategy to nurture potential from the earliest age.

Zenith Bank has been the financial institution partner to Kiddies Corner on Inspiration 92.3FM Lagos for over three

years, anchoring the Tuesday edition and Zenith Financial Literacy Friday show. The programme blends spelling bee

contestswithfinancialliteracyquestions,creatingawarenessandonboardingchildrenintotheZenithChildren’s

Account (ZECA). This partnership came alive at the Inspiration FM Children’s Day Carnival on Saturday, May 23, 2026,

whereZenithBankhostedover1,000childrenandtheirparents,celebratingZECAwinnerswithgames,skits,and

Zenith Bank branded gifts.

The Bank’s Zenith Financial Literacy Week, held quarterly, takes this mission into select schools across all 36 states

andtheFCT.Studentsaretrainedonsavings,budgeting,basicinvestments,anditsretailproducts,withthetop

performer in each school awarded N50,000. Complementing this is the Bank’s nationwide Financial Literacy Program

undertheCBN-mandatedGlobalMoneyWeek,whichin2025alonereached3,622studentsacross22LGAs,

deploying 137 bank employee volunteers as educators.

In alignment with the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education, Zenith Bank

hasdonatedstate-of-the-artICTcentresandcomputersystemstoschoolsanduniversitiesnationwide,includinga

ComputerCentretoBamainaAcademy,Dutse,JigawaState.Itstransformativeinterventionsincludefullyequipped

libraries,vocationalfacilities,andlarge-scaleschoolrenovations,fromOjotaSecondarySchoolandVictoriaIsland

Secondary School in Lagos to Hugallawa Primary School in Jigawa. Targeted financial support further breaks barriers

with N1 million cash donation to Louisville Girls High School, Ijebu-Itele, supporting girl-child education; infrastructure

upgrades at Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School; a N1 million scholarship endowment for St. Francis Catholic

Secondary School; and support for the North-East Children’s Fund to aid education in conflict-affected communities.

Through its Primary Healthcare Centre Initiative across all 774 LGAs, Zenith Bank educates parents on early childhood

savings during routine visits, linking health and financial well-being. The “PAD-A-QUEEN” Initiative commemorates the

International Day of the Girl Child, reaching5,000 girls in 10 schools withsanitary pads, hygiene kits, and menstrual

health education to keep girls in school and promote SDGs 3, 4, and 5.

The Bank’s compassion extends to the most vulnerable. At Bethesda Home and School for the Blind, Idi Oro, Lagos,

Zenith donatedbraille materials,food, and toiletries.For the2026 InternationalDay forStreet Children,it partneredwith

Bosco Child Protection Centre on medical check-ups, food, clothing, and counseling. Annual Christmas Charity Visits to

orphanagesdelivercash,toys,andessentialsupplies,whilesupportfortheSmileandShineChildrenFoundation’s

Strive Conference empowers over 2,000 adolescents with life skills and leadership training.

Commenting on the Bank’s intentionality towards the development of children, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group

Managing Director/CEO, ZenithBank Plc, said, “AtZenith Bank, weare deliberate about initiativesthat elevate children

becausetheyarenotjustourfuture,theyareourpresentresponsibility.AsWhitneyHoustonsopoignantlysang,‘I

believethechildrenarethefuture,teachthemwellandletthemleadtheway.’Thatisthephilosophydrivingour

investmentsineducation,financialliteracy,health,anddigitalinclusion.FromKiddiesCornertoICTcentres,from

PHCs to orphanages, we are teaching them well, equipping them early, and giving them the tools to lead. Zenith Bank

renews its commitment to every Nigerian child, to nurture their dreams, protect their dignity, and secure their tomorrow.”

Championing youth expression, the Zenith Annual Youth Parade, hosted by the Bank for 19 years, stands as a flagship

Corporate Social Responsibilityinitiative. Bringing togetherthousands of childrenand teenagers in avibrant showcase

of unity and discipline, the parade has remained dedicated since inception to the vital mission of supporting, nurturing,
andempoweringtheNigerianchild,reinforcingtheBank’sbeliefthatleadershipislearnedearlythroughteamwork,

confidence, and celebration of young Nigerian identity.

ForZenithBank,Children’sDayismorethanadateonthecalendar.Itisadailypledgetoempower,protect,and

prepareNigeria’schildrenforleadership.Fromclassroomstocommunities, the Bank’s initiatives are teaching them well

and letting them lead the way because the future belongs to children who are equipped today.