Nigerian businessman Tony Elumelu has become a recurring name in Afrobeats, with artists invoking him in songs about wealth, success and financial ambition.
Beyond Dangote and Otedola, Elumelu is another familiar reference in the genre. Not every mention concerns his fortune. Some artists use his name to voice their own aspirations, make a light comparison or imagine having him as a friend.
The ten tracks below range from Young Jonn to Rema, Olamide and M.I Abaga.
Confidence and money talk#
Young Jonn places Elumelu at the centre of a lyric about self-belief and gratitude:
“I dey carry my body like Elumelu, Show me what God cannot do.”
By linking himself to the businessman, he draws on the image of someone who has achieved remarkable success. The second half of the line adds a note of faith in what is possible.
Rema groups three of Nigeria’s best-known business names in one verse:
“Eh, Dangote na baba Elumelu, eh, na baba Otedola, eh, na baba.”
By calling Dangote, Elumelu and Otedola “baba”, he uses their wealth and influence as reference points for the financial status that gives the song its money-focused energy.
Olamide calls out Elumelu directly, in a line that works like an invitation to join in the good life.
“Tony Elumelu, Wá ba mi jó sílú.”
The reference is playful, placing one of Nigeria’s most recognisable businessmen within a song about money, enjoyment and success.
Spending, advice and prayers#
Davido connects Elumelu to a conversation about spending and attracting attention:
“Chekeleke gimme one kele, Tony Elumelu, You know say when I roger, them go come again.”
The lyric suggests that serious money makes certain things easier, with the businessman standing in as a familiar symbol of the financial power behind that lifestyle.
Rema goes further and imagines Elumelu as someone who could advise on making money grow:
“Elumelu, tell me where I go put my money make e double unfailingly.”
The line is humorous but relatable. When people think about building wealth and investing, the businessman, who built a successful business empire, is a natural person to ask.
Timi Dakolo adds a prayerful, hopeful angle. Rather than asking only for money, he includes having someone like Elumelu in your corner among the blessings he calls upon. The brief line reflects a familiar Nigerian wish for good connections and people who can open doors.
Idahams takes his financial ambitions directly to God, asking for the kind of wealth associated with successful Nigerian businessmen.
“Eledumare give me billion dollar, Like you give oh Lulu Briggs, Like you give oh Elumelu.”
Naming Lulu Briggs and Elumelu gives the prayer a familiar point of reference. The request is, in essence, for a financial breakthrough that could change a person’s life.
Shorthand for success#
Rybeena places Elumelu within a Yoruba expression about wealth and prosperity:
“Tony Elumelu, Emi f’ola yin toro.”
The mention fits the song’s wider association with influential and successful figures, presenting Elumelu as one example of the financial standing people aspire to.
M.I Abaga and Lord Vino make the reference the most direct in the set. Elumelu’s name becomes shorthand for the kind of money that comes with serious success. The line also ties the name to grinding toward financial freedom, rather than simply wishing for it.
Charles Okocha uses the name as a playful measure of status, asking whether anyone can match the businessman’s style, confidence and spending:
“Shey you fit swag like Elumelu, You fit talk like Elumelu, You fit spend like Elumelu?”
The comparison draws on Elumelu’s public image as a wealthy and influential figure, and his name is central to the song’s character.
