Billionaire philanthropist Tony Elumelu shares how he lands his first job with a second-class lower despite not meeting the requirement

He said he got his first banking job which he had applied for a few years after his Master’s degree programme even when he knew he did not meet the job requirement.

“A few years later, after my Masters, I saw the application for graduates with a minimum of 2:1 in All States Trust Bank, this aligned with what I wanted for my life, but my 2:2 grade did not make me qualified, still, I applied, because I identified what I wanted in life and I was going to work towards it.

“I put in my application and said “Even though I do not meet these requirements if you give me the chance, I will prove myself”. I got this job and spent every day proving myself and earning my luck in the bank.” Elumelu wrote.

Elumelu revealed that he proved himself and went on to become the youngest branch manager of the bank at 27 years old. That gave him leeway into other leadership positions in the bank.

He also founded the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) to help African entrepreneurs with pre-seed funding of over N2 million ($5,000).

According to him, TEF is not only democratising access to opportunities for African entrepreneurs, the foundation is creating a digital ecosystem where these entrepreneurs are mentored, trained and funded. The Foundation has funded thousands of entrepreneurs and continues to invite applications from entrepreneurs annually.