By Bamidele Ogunwusi
Copyright independent
LAGOS – Nigerian investor, philan-thropist and chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu, has been con-ferred with the prestigious 2025 Appeal of Conscience Award by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, in recognition of his val-ues-driven leadership, business impact and phil-anthropic contributions across Africa.
The award, presented at the Foundation’s annual gala in New York, was re-ceived on his behalf by his wife, Dr. Awele Elumelu, who also delivered his ac-ceptance speech.
Founded by Rabbi Ar-thur Schneier in 1965, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation promotes re-ligious freedom, human rights and peaceful coex-istence. Over the years, its awards have honoured global leaders in business, faith and diplomacy for ad-vancing dialogue and devel-opment in divided societies.
This year, Elumelu shared the spotlight with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, who was also recognised for his faith-driven leader-ship and contributions to community service.
In his remarks, Elumelu dedicated the honour to Af-rica’s young entrepreneurs and to six colleagues from Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa (UBA) who recently died in a tragic in-cident.
“It is with a heavy heart, weighed by recent and pro-found loss, that I accept this award,” Dr. Elumelu read on his behalf. “Just a few days ago, we lost six beloved colleagues… Their absence leaves a void that cannot be filled. Across our Group, we are grieving this deep loss.”
Calling for a moment of silence in their memory, Elumelu said the recogni-tion was a powerful remind-er of the responsibility to continue building a better Africa in their honour.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist used the oc-casion to reaffirm his belief in Africapitalism a phi-losophy that positions the private sector as a catalyst for Africa’s development.
“My businesses span four continents; we em-ploy over 40,000 people in-cluding here in New York, where UBA is the only Af-rican bank that can take de-posits in the United States,” his statement noted.
“At Heirs Holdings, when we invest in energy and power, we see it as a mission to light up homes, schools and hospitals. When we create value in fi-nancial services, we drive inclusion, offering the un-derrepresented a stake in the economy.”
Through the Tony Elu-melu Foundation (TEF), launched in 2010, he has committed over $100 mil-lion to train, mentor and provide seed funding to more than 24,000 young Af-rican entrepreneurs from all 54 countries.
“By empowering a gen-eration with economic op-portunities and the means to shape their own desti-nies, we are combating the despair that fuels economic instability, migration and insecurity,” he said.
Elumelu pointed to America’s deep-rooted culture of philanthropy as an inspiration for his own giving. He referenced his-toric names from the Gild-ed Age and modern bene-factors who have endowed universities, research and culture.
“I was conscious right from the beginning that we needed to give back and to give back in a way that catalytically changes our continent,” he said.
Despite Africa’s chal-lenges, he stressed its im-mense potential: “I also and my career demon-strates this know that Af-rica is full of opportunity. In fact, I think no other con-tinent offers such opportu-nity.”
Elumelu said the award strengthened his resolve to deepen impact but also called for partnerships with like-minded leaders across business, faith and civil society.
“The Appeal of Con-science Foundation demon-strates wonderfully that appeal to our common hu-manity and this is ever more important in a com-plicated, divided world,” he said.
He expressed apprecia-tion to Rabbi Schneier for creating the global plat-form, congratulated Cardi-nal Dolan for his recogni-tion, and thanked business leader Maurice Lévy for his support.
Elumelu concluded by dedicating the award to Af-rica’s entrepreneurs and innovators, whom he de-scribed as “Africapitalists” shaping the continent’s fu-ture.
