Awele Vivien Elumelu
Awele Vivien Elumelu OFR | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 June 1970 Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Occupations | Physician, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Known for | Chairperson, Avon Healthcare; co-founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation |
| Spouse | Tony Elumelu |
| Children | 7 |
Awele Vivien Elumelu OFR (born 23 June 1970) is a Nigerian physician and business executive who chairs Avon Healthcare Limited and Avon Medical Practice, and holds non-executive positions at Heirs Holdings and other organizations.[1][2] She is also the co-founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which supports entrepreneurship in Africa.[3]
Early life and education
Elumelu was born in Lagos State, Nigeria, on 23 June 1970. She attended Queen's College, Lagos. and graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degrees from the University of Benin. She has practised medicine in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, including at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Grantham and District Hospital.[4]
Career
Elumelu's career has included work as a medical practitioner and as an executive in healthcare organizations.[2] She is chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO) and Avon Medical Practice.[5] In these roles, she has overseen health insurance and clinic operations designed to increase access to medical services in Nigeria. She also serves as a non-executive director at Heirs Holdings, a Nigerian investment company.
Advocacy
Elumelu has participated in campaigns for universal health coverage, particularly focusing on maternal and child health and immunization programs.[4] She was appointed GAVI Champion for Immunisation in Africa, working to raise awareness about vaccine access and preventable diseases.[6] She is a board member at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Centre and an advisory board member at the Yale Institute of Global Health.[3][7]
Awards
In 2023, she was conferred Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari.[8][9][10]
Personal life
She is married to Tony Elumelu.[11][12]
References
- ^ "Awele Elumelu at 55: A Prescription for Purpose – THISDAYLIVE". This Day. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Awele Vivien Elumelu - EJS Center". 17 March 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ a b Muaz, Hassan (27 November 2021). "Like Tony, Awele Elumelu is uplifting female entrepreneurs in Africa |". The Eagle Online. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ a b Moses-Ashike, Hope (27 August 2019). "Awele Vivien Elumelu: Investing strategically to redefine healthcare delivery in Nigeria". Businessday NG. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Ekechukwu, Ferdinand (29 June 2019). "Awele Elumelu Glows as She Adds One More Year – THISDAYLIVE". This Day. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Ugbodaga, Kazeem (29 January 2018). "Elumelu appointed Gavi Champion for Immunisation in Africa". Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Oduah, Henry (1 December 2020). "Elumelu's wife joins Yale health advisory board". QED.NG. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Ajimotokan, Olawale (29 May 2023). "Buhari Confers Special National Honours on Anyaoku, Osoba, Akande, Emefiele, Wigwe, Wale Edun, Davido, 333 Others – THISDAYLIVE". This Day. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Olisah, Chike (28 May 2023). "Buhari confers national honours on Emefiele, Anyaoku, Keyamo, Mrs Elumelu, others". Nairametrics. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Odeniyi, Solomon (28 May 2023). "Buhari confers national honour on Anyaoku, Emefiele others". The Punch. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Omenye, Alex (21 February 2025). "Decades After, Awele and Tony Elumelu's Love Is Still Waxing Stronger". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 25 November 2025.
- ^ Enengedi, Victor (28 July 2024). "Meet Awele Elumelu, The Visionary Powerhouse Behind Tony Elumelu's Success - Legit.ng". Legit.ng. Retrieved 25 November 2025.