- Tony Elumelu is one of Nigeria’s billionaire businessmen and chairman of many business groups
- Beyond the demands of business, the 61-year old still has his fashion game on fleek
- In five fashion styles, Tony Elumelu shows he as good a businessman as he is a fashion icon
One thing that is probably synonymous with Tony Elumelu is that he is a consummate businessman, being the founder and Group Chairman of many companies like the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Transnational Corporation (Transcorp), Heirs Holdings, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, among others.
However, beyond sitting on the board of chains of businesses in Nigeria and across the globe, Tony Elumelu is also a fashion inspiration. A stroll through his Fashion Week-esque Instagram page is all the conviction you need.
Every now and again, the 61-year-old blesses our screens with pictures of him in sweatpants, either exercising or in different yoga positions to keep fit. The pains of keeping fit pay off as evident in how well his outfits sit pretty on him.
With an infectious smile to match, Elumelu’s fashion sense seems to be made for the runway, given the way he embodies his outfits like they were made for him, and rightly so! Have you seen the way he struts across the room in those outfits? If you don’t have the stomach for runway-like strides, no put body!
Whether he is dressed in his signature black/navy blue suit, white shirt and red tie or donning a native Nigerian attire or wearing stylish casual denim pants and T-shirt, Baba dey represent. He understands that fashion, like business, should be invested in and spares no expense in doing so.
TheRadar has followed the fashion journey of the over $700 billion worth businessman, according to Forbes, and brings you five fashion styles that show Tony Elumelu still has the steeze.
Corporate wears
Tony Elumelu in suit
Perhaps the picture of Elumelu that easily conjures up in your imagination is that of him in his signature dapper, well-tailored black/navy blue suits, accompanied by sparkling and crisply ironed white shirts. He always completes this look with red ties and, sometimes, a pair of red socks. This is probably why he is referred to in many quarters as the ‘the man in red.’
In this corporate style, Elumelu understands that “looking good is good business” and proudly hawks the signature colour of his many companies, especially UBA and Heirs Holdings, like gala in them.
Native Nigerian attires
The ‘Africapitalism’ purveyor is not one to forget his Nigerian and African roots and always appears to be screaming it in his many native Nigerian outfits. He either goes for a ‘Senator’ look or a fashionable Ankara style, finishing off with a pair of shoes or a pair of palm leather slippers.
Casuals
Soft like Tony
You want to know why M.I Abaga titled a single on his 2022 The Guy album Soft like Tony? Look no further; this is it! There is always something boyish about Elumelu’s designer casual outfits that evoke the semblance of a soft life.
In his debonair casual denim trousers on fitted T-shirts, Elumelu portrays the young, carefree yet fashionable young man who has it all put together and is not burdened with the drudgery of everyday Lagos bustle – the real soft life. And when he adds a sling bag and dark sunglasses to the mix? It is giving!
Smart casuals
Tony Elumelu in smart casual
When not in corporate work suits, Elumelu also perfectly rocks a smart casual outfit. He ditches corporate trousers for denim or chinos pants, leaves out a tie so he can breef, puts on a shirt of a different colour other than white (rolls eyes), throws on a blazer and completes the dashing look with either a luxury pair of leather shoes or sneakers.
In smart casuals, Elumelu effortlessly screams, ‘I may not be suited up, but I am always ready for business.’
Shorts
Tony Elumelu dazzles in shorts
Hmmnnn! Another fashion style that Elumelu is comfortable in is shorts. The billionaire businessman made an investment in this fashion style and is not afraid to show off fine, well-toned, flawless legs in shorts.
You will most likely catch him in shorts in an airport, sitting aboard a private jet or while relaxing at home, playing host to numerous celebrity friends. Elumelu never misses a chance to slay in shorts and gives younger men a run for their money while at it.
