From NYSC in Sokoto to billionaire: how Tony Elumelu got his first banking job with a 2:2
This is Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu with a friend during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days in Sokoto, around 1985.
Two young men and their dreams
Look at the photograph and you see two young men enjoying their youth, probably talking about life, their dreams and what the future might hold.
At the time, Elumelu was just another young Nigerian graduate trying to find his feet. He had ambitions, like many young people, but there was no guarantee of where life would take him.
The job he was not 'qualified' for
Years later, after earning his master's degree, he came across a job advertisement from Allstates Trust Bank. The bank wanted applicants with at least a Second Class Upper degree, popularly known as a 2:1.
Elumelu had graduated with a 2:2.
For many people, that would have been reason enough to forget the job and move on. The bank had clearly stated its requirements, and he did not meet them.
But he decided to try anyway. He applied, explaining that although his result fell below the requirement, he was intelligent, hardworking and ambitious, and ready to prove himself if given the chance.
He got the job.
The turning point
That single decision became an important turning point in his career. He worked his way up through banking, took on bigger and bigger responsibilities, and eventually became one of the most influential businessmen and investors in Africa.
Today, he is a billionaire and respected entrepreneur whose investments have created opportunities for thousands of people across the continent.
The lesson
Look at that old NYSC photograph again. The young man in Sokoto could hardly have imagined what was waiting for him.
Your result may not be the best. You may have started life without connections, money or anyone powerful to open doors for you. But life has a way of surprising people who refuse to give up on themselves.
Imagine if Elumelu had seen the 2:1 requirement and simply walked away. That opportunity might have passed him by.
Sometimes the biggest mistake you can make is rejecting yourself before anyone else has had the chance to consider you. Apply for that job. Pursue that opportunity. You may not always succeed, but you will never know what could have happened if you never tried.
Over to you
How many opportunities have people missed simply because they believed they were not qualified enough?
- Elumelu served his NYSC in Sokoto around 1985.
- He applied for a job requiring a 2:1 despite having a 2:2.
- He got the job at Allstates Trust Bank.
