By Odita Sunday
On October 11, 2022, siblings Tony, a global icon, and Ndudi, former Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives, shared a moment of rare honour: the Elumelus walked one after the other onto the dais to receive Nigeria’s National Honours Award from President Muhammadu Buhari. Their shared achievement, as sons of the same mother, was a sight that left many in awe. Yet this recognition was no surprise to those who knew the Elumelu family. The values that shaped the brothers’ success were inherited from their mother, Mrs Suzanne Elumelu, a darling wife of Onicha-Uku Kingdom and Ada Onicha-Ugbo, all in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State—a larger-than-life matriarch whose life was defined by grace, generosity, and resilience.
Frequently spoken of by her illustrious sons for her influence on their lives and personalities, the Elumelu matriarch was celebrated on her 90th birthday in a grand ceremony attended by the cream of Nigerian society. Today, Mama is 97.
One of the most vivid stories about her is a narrative of her profound compassion for the people in her community. One of those who knew the Elumelu family back in the day, Eche Munonye, publisher of CSR Reporter, recounted: “Growing up in Onicha-Uku, the only person who flung her door open for everyone to fetch water during harmattan, in the thick of water scarcity, was Mama Elumelu.”
This simple act of kindness encapsulates the core of her character—always willing to share what she had and deeply committed to the well-being of others. This story has become a defining piece of the legend of Suzanne Elumelu, the matriarch of the Elumelu family from Onicha-Uku in Delta State.
Her decision to share her well during a water crisis was an iconic act of generosity that has passed into local folklore and is remembered as a demonstration of her commitment to the community and her belief in the importance of supporting one another.
Although Suzanne rose to prominence through her son Tony—an internationally recognised philanthropist and an alumnus of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People—her legacy stands on its own. Suzanne’s life story mirrors that of mothers who raise nations: a stpry of endurance, tenacity, and determination.
As a mother and community pillar, she influenced not only her five children—Peter, Tony, Ndudi, Agatha, and Loretta—but also many others who admired her hard work and unwavering strength throughout her life.
Together with her late husband, Dominic Elumelu, she built a family that would go on to make a lasting impact. Suzanne was the backbone of her family, ensuring her children received the education and support they needed to flourish. She was a symbol of steadfast strength, filling the gaps wherever needed and tirelessly working to ensure her children’s success.
Today, her children’s achievements stand as a testament to her enduring influence. Tony has become a global business leader, widely recognised for his entrepreneurial vision and leadership; his success as chairman of Heirs Holdings, a multi-billion-naira conglomerate, is a reflection of the values instilled in him by his mother. Similarly, his brother Ndudi has made his mark in Nigerian politics, having served as a representative in the Nigerian House of Representatives, further cementing the family’s legacy of public service. The others—Peter, Loretta, and Agatha—are silent achievers.
Suzanne’s quiet strength and resolve have left a profound legacy. As a mother, wife, and community figure, she embodied the qualities of hard work, perseverance, generosity, and a deep commitment to the well-being of others. Her independent spirit and entrepreneurial drive, though not widely documented, were essential to the family’s livelihood and have been passed on to her children, particularly Tony, who has often credited his mother for the values that guided his journey towards success.
Where Ndudi Elumelu, with economy of words, described her as “the pillar behind our successes in life after God,” Tony Elumelu was more elaborate and frequently referenced how his mother’s teachings shaped his personal and professional philosophy.
“My first influence was my mother, whose experience as an entrepreneur served as my initiation into a world where hard work translates to success. The formative years with her made me into the entrepreneur and leader that I am today,” he posted on Facebook on 11 March 2024, in commemoration of International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day.
Another post on his LinkedIn page paid tribute to his mother: “To my mum, whose experience served as my first initiation into a world where hard work translates to success. Growing up, I worked at my mum’s restaurant, watching her steer her business with leadership and so much strength. These formative years of my life made me the entrepreneur and leader that I am today. I am always grateful.
I look back in awe at the days when you single-handedly ran several small businesses all at the same time while raising us lovingly and giving my brothers, sisters, and me the most beautiful childhood memories. Thank you for teaching us hard work, enterprise, and resilience, but most of all, kindness, respect for others, and empathy.”
Mama Suzanne’s principles of hard work, resilience, and community upliftment resonate strongly in Tony’s work and are the kernels of his philosophy of Africapitalism—which champions long-term investments in Africa’s development through entrepreneurship.
“I was privileged, lucky, blessed to have been mentored in this journey of entrepreneurship, first by my parents, especially my mum, who was an entrepreneur, small-scale,” Tony once acknowledged.
The depth of her influence, he laid bare in an ode: “The lessons I imbibed watching her, supporting her, continue to help me to this day, and they’re also critical in the message and address I give to young entrepreneurs. I learned from her about hard work. She was extremely, extremely hardworking at the time, and to this day, she just turned 94, and she’s still very hardworking. She will cook for me… and I’m like, ‘Mum, I have someone to cook for me.’ But that spirit in her remains ever so strong.
She was disciplined, and I’ve come to realise that in this journey of entrepreneurship—not only in entrepreneurship but in everything in life—discipline is critical for success. She was extremely tenacious, and I’ve come to see, and I preach this too, that the journey of entrepreneurship is not a linear journey; it’s up and down. But if you’re tenacious, if you are resilient, you’ll cross the finishing line.”
At 97, Suzanne Elumelu’s legacy—though understated—remains a powerful testament to the enduring influence of a mother’s love, guidance, and unwavering belief in the power of hard work.
In her community of Onicha-Uku, Delta State, her name evokes the image of a dogged entrepreneur, the giver whose doors were always open to those in need, and the tough woman with a never-say-never approach to tackling challenges. She remains a reference point for old and young alike, embodying the resilience of the human spirit and the unyielding strength in the face of adversity.
This sentiment was echoed in 2021 by the then Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who said:
“The story of Mama’s success against all odds will continue to inspire many families, while the virtues of the fear of God, dedication, and hard work which she epitomised in her younger years will continue to be an example for mothers.”