Tony Elumelu, celebrated entrepreneur and philanthropist, has once again taken center stage in Africa’s leadership space after being named Man of the Year 2025 at the 7th Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX).
The recognition, decided through a nationwide public vote, saw Elumelu claim a commanding 1,093,475 votes, leaving fellow nominees Allen Onyema with 634,855 votes and A. A. Rano with 185,397 votes trailing behind.
Now in its seventh year, LEEX has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most trusted measures of influence, honoring individuals who embody transformational leadership and national development.
Driving Africa’s Economic Renaissance
Elumelu’s latest accolade is a nod to his decades-long commitment to shaping Africa’s economic future. Through his Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), established in 2010, he has championed entrepreneurship as the most sustainable pathway to prosperity across the continent.
In 2015, he pledged $100 million to launch the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme—an initiative that has since trained, mentored, and funded more than 21,000 entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries. Collectively, TEF alumni have generated over $4.2 billion in revenue and created more than 1.5 million jobs.
Women are also at the heart of TEF’s mission: nearly 40% of beneficiaries are female entrepreneurs, advancing inclusive economic growth.
Scaling Impact in 2025 and Beyond
This year’s recognition coincides with TEF’s announcement of its 2025 cohort of 3,000 entrepreneurs, each set to receive mentorship, business training, and $5,000 seed capital. The foundation’s digital platform, TEFConnect, has already become Africa’s largest entrepreneurship hub, hosting more than 1.5 million users.
A Legacy of Influence
By receiving the LEEX 2025 Man of the Year Award, Elumelu joins a distinguished circle of honorees that includes Obi Cubana, Peter Obi, Abdul Rabiu, and Udom Emmanuel. His recognition, however, stands out as a public endorsement of his vision: that Africa’s future depends not on aid, but on empowering Africans themselves to build wealth, create jobs, and drive change.
Elumelu’s journey is more than a personal achievement; it’s a continental movement—a reminder that Africa’s growth story is being rewritten by those bold enough to invest in people.
