Dr. Bill Winston’s Business & Leadership Conference 2026
Tony Elumelu: Kingdom Business Insights for Christian Entrepreneurs
Concentrated lessons from the Nigerian billionaire who gives God all the glory
Live from the 2026 Business & Leadership Conference (BLC)
Hosted by Dr. Bill Winston • Joseph Business School
March 20–21, 2026 • Living Word Christian Center • Forest Park, IL
Rick & Isabella Pina Coaching • Patreon.com/RickPina
The billionaire who starts board meetings with prayer
At Dr. Bill Winston’s 2026 Business & Leadership Conference at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Illinois, Tony Elumelu delivered what may be the most powerful testimony of faith-driven entrepreneurship the BLC stage has ever seen. Hosted by Joseph Business School — Dr. Winston’s nationally accredited institution that equips believers to “create their own economies and dominate their industries” — the conference brought together kingdom leaders including Dr. Cindy Trimm, Charles Payne, and Richard Montanez.
Elumelu stood out. Not because of his $2.15 billion net worth. Not because he chairs a bank operating in 24 countries with 35,000+ employees. But because this man — who controls over $2 billion in power generation alone — told a room full of entrepreneurs: “All credit and glory goes back to God.”
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
— James 1:17 (ESV)
Born March 22, 1963, in Jos, Nigeria. Not born rich. Economics degree from Ambrose Alli University, MBA from University of Lagos. God’s favor made him one of the youngest bank CEOs in Nigerian history. Today he chairs United Bank for Africa (the only African-founded bank with a US federal banking license), leads Heirs Holdings across six sectors, and through the Tony Elumelu Foundation has invested $100M+ to empower 24,000+ entrepreneurs across all 54 African nations.
Below are 12 concentrated lessons from his BLC 2026 conversation. Wherever he humbly spoke of “luck,” we’ve restored what he himself proclaimed: it is God who makes all things possible.
At a Glance
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CompanyHeirs Holdings • Chairman, United Bank for Africa
FamilyWife: Dr. Awele Elumelu (physician, Avon Healthcare)
01
God Is the Foundation of All Success
“How could I ever attribute anything that I have to anyone but God? It is God that made everything possible. The foundation of our being as a corporate entity is built on God.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
Faith isn’t a side note in Elumelu’s business — it is the bedrock, the backbone, the foundation. He doesn’t separate Sunday worship from Monday strategy. When you truly believe God is your source, you operate differently: you risk with confidence, give generously, and lead with humility.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”— Psalm 127:1
Apply This
Begin every business day acknowledging God as the true owner of your enterprise
When you receive a win, make gratitude to God your first response
02
Start Every Venture with Prayer
“In our group, most of our meetings start with prayer to God. We commit the meeting to Him. We say, ‘God, please guide our decisions. Help us to make decisions that will impact humanity more positively.’”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
A multi-billion-dollar conglomerate. Operations in 20+ countries. 2,000 megawatts of electricity. A US federal banking license. And they start their meetings with prayer. Elumelu treats prayer not as ritual but as strategic counsel from the highest authority.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.”— James 1:5
Apply This
Open every meeting — board, team, strategy — with prayer, even 30 seconds
Before signing any contract, pray specifically for discernment
03
It’s Not Luck — It’s God’s Favor
“I am a product of God’s favor. Favor comes from God. It is God’s grace and glory and blessing and divine protection that continues to help us achieve success. All credit and glory goes back to Him.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
Luck is random. Favor is intentional. When Elumelu became one of the youngest bank managers at 26, that wasn’t a cosmic accident. That was God positioning a vessel for kingdom impact. When you reframe “I got lucky” to “God gave me favor,” you change how you steward that success.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”— Jeremiah 29:11
Apply This
Rewrite your origin story — replace “I got lucky” with “God gave me favor”
Keep a Favor Journal documenting God’s hand in your business
“All credit and glory goes back to God. I’m not just saying it — it is indeed God’s grace, glory, blessing, and divine protection.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
04
The HEIRS Principle: Kingdom Values in Business
“HEIRS is an acronym. H is Humility, E is Empathy, I is Integrity, R is Resilience. It’s a manifestation in business of our core values.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
The name “Heirs Holdings” is a biblical identity statement. Humility — knowing your position is God-given. Empathy — seeing through the eyes of those you serve. Integrity — the same person in the boardroom and the prayer room. Resilience — enduring hardship as a good soldier of Christ. As Paul wrote: “We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”— Romans 8:17
Apply This
Define your company’s core values using the HEIRS framework
Hire and partner based on character alignment, not just competence
05
Be Prepared for God’s Timing
“God’s favor came my way very early. I was prepared for it, and this is what I preach to young people: be prepared, so that when God opens the door, you don’t miss the opportunity.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
Born with nothing. Bank manager at 26. The pattern is biblical: Joseph spent years in preparation before ruling Egypt. David tended sheep before leading a nation. Preparation meets divine timing. Your humble beginning is not your final chapter — it’s your training ground.
“Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”— Proverbs 22:29
Apply This
Invest in skill development now, before the big opportunity arrives
Stop despising the day of small beginnings — God is preparing you
06
Deferred Consumption: The Discipline of the Faithful Steward
“If you earn a dollar and you don’t save anything, you will not build anything. That discipline of deferred consumption, investing today for a better tomorrow — that changed my humble background to where we are today.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
The Parable of the Talents rewards the one who invested, not the one who consumed. Every dollar saved is a seed planted. Say no to ego purchases. Reinvest in the business, in people, and in the kingdom. Discipline is more powerful than income.
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”— Proverbs 21:5
Apply This
Save or reinvest at least 20% before spending
Before every purchase, ask: “Is this consumption or investment?”
07
Integrity Is Your Business Currency
“We are an African-founded and led institution with a federal banking license in the United States. This is integrity in action. If you have 1,000 dishonest people, that does not characterize 1.6 billion on an entire continent.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
UBA didn’t earn a US banking license by cutting corners. It happened through decades of consistent, principled operations. Don’t defend your integrity — demonstrate it. Over time, consistency opens doors that no networking or cleverness can.
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”— Proverbs 11:3
Apply This
Let your work product be your argument — results silence critics
Build transparency systems: open books, clear contracts, honest marketing
08
Stay Level-Headed When God Blesses You
“Having been successful at an early age, I was not carried away. Often when people get successful early, they get out of control. Stay level-headed. Be disciplined. Know that you are just one of millions.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
Solomon was the wisest man alive and lost his way when success bred complacency. Elumelu’s warning: guard your heart in seasons of abundance just as carefully as in seasons of scarcity. You are a steward, not the source.
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”— Proverbs 16:18
Apply This
Surround yourself with people who tell you the truth
After a major win, fast and pray before celebrating — recalibrate your spirit
09
Democratize God’s Blessings
“My wife and I in 2010 decided we needed to democratize God’s favor — spread it, let others also receive it. So we committed $100 million to train, mentor, and provide seed capital to young African entrepreneurs.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
God’s blessings aren’t meant to be hoarded — they’re meant to be democratized. The Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered 24,000+ entrepreneurs (52% women) with business training and $5,000 seed capital each. The UNDP, EU, and IKEA Foundation joined because the model works. When you build for impact, God sends partners to multiply the harvest.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.”— Luke 12:48
Apply This
Create a mentorship, scholarship, or seed capital initiative — start with any amount
Measure success by how many others you’ve helped build, not just what you’ve built
10
Build the Kingdom Through Business
“We believe that no one but us, in the 21st century, will develop Africa. If we don’t invest in Africa, if we don’t build Africa, who will do it for us?”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
Elumelu’s “Africapitalism” philosophy: the private sector must lead transformation. Don’t wait for government or charity. Take ownership of your sphere. Whether your “Africa” is your neighborhood or your industry, the mandate is the same: invest, create jobs, solve problems. Be the answer to someone’s prayer. Every job you create is a family you stabilize.
“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you, and pray to the Lord on its behalf.”— Jeremiah 29:7
Apply This
Identify the infrastructure gap in your community that your business could fill
View your business as ministry — profit with purpose
11
Invest in the Next Generation
“The future of Africa belongs to our young ones. If we invest in them, we get a better future for ourselves and for the world. Poverty anywhere is a threat to all of us everywhere.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
His greatest investment? Not banking. Not oil. People. Jesus didn’t just preach — He invested three years in 12 young men who changed the world. The 2026 TEF cohort alone: 3,200 new beneficiaries across 54 nations. Your legacy isn’t what you build. It’s who you build.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”— Proverbs 22:6
Apply This
Mentor at least one young entrepreneur this year
Create internship or apprenticeship programs in your business
12
Embrace AI as an Enabler, Not a Threat
“AI is already affecting every aspect of our life. Instead of seeing it as a threat, I see it as an enabler. It enables us to become more productive. But we must ensure AI for all, not AI for few.”
— Tony Elumelu, BLC 2026
AI is a tool God has allowed humanity to develop. Use it to serve more people, make better decisions, and solve bigger problems. But Elumelu adds a kingdom caveat: AI must be accessible to all, not just the privileged. Innovation without equity is not kingdom-minded. Use technology to include, not exclude.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”— Colossians 3:23
Apply This
Identify 2–3 areas where AI can multiply your business impact
Filter every adoption decision through your values and mission
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Build Your Empire. Give God the Glory.
Tony Elumelu’s story is proof that faith and business are inseparable for those called to kingdom entrepreneurship. Every step — guided by God’s hand, sustained by prayer, multiplied through generosity.
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant.”
