Dr. Awele Vivian Elumelu, OFR, ranks among Africa’s foremost healthcare entrepreneurs, business leaders, and philanthropists. She blends medical expertise with sharp business strategy and profound social impact. As chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited, Nigeria’s top health insurance provider, and founder of Avon Medical Practice, she has revolutionized healthcare access nationwide. Her roles as founding director of Heirs Holdings and co-founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation highlight her dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth throughout Africa. Her December 2025 appointment as board chair of Transcorp Hotels Plc confirms her position as the wealthiest female investor on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Dr. Awele Vivian Elumelu, OFR |
| Date of Birth | April 8, 1970 |
| Place of Birth | Delta State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Delta State |
| Partner | Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, CFR (married 1993) |
| Children | Seven (7) |
| Occupations | Medical Doctor, Healthcare Entrepreneur, Business Leader, Philanthropist |
| Net Worth | $15-$20 million |
Early Life and Education
Dr. Awele Vivian Elumelu entered the world on April 8, 1970, in Delta State, Nigeria, maintaining strong ties to her roots. She earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Benin. This medical foundation shaped her path forward.
She advanced her skills through executive programs at Harvard Business School, IMD Switzerland, and the London School of Economics, showcasing her pursuit of broad expertise.
Her initial medical work involved intensive clinical roles in various fields. She served at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, handling diverse cases. Later, she practiced in the United Kingdom at Grantham and District Hospital, absorbing insights from the British system. Her skills span medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, and emergency care, marking her thorough preparation.
Career
Dr. Elumelu shifted purposefully from bedside medicine to healthcare business and leadership. Witnessing Nigeria’s healthcare gaps—like weak infrastructure and limited coverage—she chose to build large-scale fixes.
In 2009, she launched Avon Medical Practice, growing it from one Lagos site into a multispecialty network across Lagos, Abuja, Delta, and Rivers States, with expansion plans ahead. She also created Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO), the nation’s leading health insurer for all income levels. As chairperson of both, she drives better access and affordability for countless Nigerians.
Within Heirs Holdings, the family investment firm, she acts as founding director, bridging public and private efforts for economic and social gains.
She leads Heirs Insurance Brokers, fueling rapid growth, insurance revenue jumped 80% from N11.3 billion in 2022 to N20.5 billion in 2023.
Her latest role, board chair of Transcorp Hotels Plc starting January 2026, honors her broad leadership in healthcare, insurance, and governance. This elevates her as the top female investor on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, holding a 5.1% Transcorp stake of about 2.07 billion shares.
Philanthropy
Dr. Elumelu co-founded The Tony Elumelu Foundation in 2010, serving as trustee and founding director to champion youth entrepreneurship and gender inclusion across Africa’s 54 countries. The foundation has empowered over 400,000 young Africans, with a 68% female selection rate among entrepreneurs by 2021, providing more than $100 million in seed funding.
In 2018, she became Gavi’s Private Sector Champion for Immunisation in Africa, advancing vaccination efforts that helped eradicate wild poliovirus. She also joined Yale Institute for Global Health’s Advisory Board in 2020, amplifying her global health advocacy.
Personal Life
Dr. Awele Vivian Elumelu shares her life with Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, CFR, Nigeria’s leading economist, banker, and philanthropist. They wed in 1993 at her age of 23, building a partnership lasting over three decades with seven children. Their bond supports shared goals in family and philanthropy.
She prioritizes fitness, sharing wellness tips online, and models balance for professional women. The family belongs to elite Lagos clubs like Lagos Country Club and Ikoyi Club 1938.
Net Worth
Dr. Awele Vivian Elumelu’s individual net worth remains undisclosed publicly, though estimates value her personal fortune at about $15-20 million USD, primarily from her 5.1% stake in Transcorp PLC (roughly ₦13 billion, using current rates near 1 USD = 1,478 NGN).
As a major shareholder and founding director of the family-owned Heirs Holdings, she holds a substantial portion of the Elumelu family’s total $2.15 billion USD wealth (as of March 2025), spanning investments in Transcorp, UBA, Heirs Energies, and more.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Awele Vivian Elumelu earns widespread acclaim for her work. She bears the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) national honor for outstanding national service.
In October 2025, she received the Appeal of Conscience Award at the foundation’s New York gala, honoring her husband’s leadership and the foundation’s reach to millions. Key roles include chairing Transcorp Hotels’ board and advising Yale’s Institute for Global Health since 2020. Business outlets celebrate her as a healthcare pioneer and top stock exchange investor.
