Transcorp Hotels Names Awele Elumelu as Board Chair from January 2026
Transcorp Hotels Plc has announced the appointment of Dr. Awele Vivien Elumelu, OFR, as the incoming chair of its Board of Directors, with the transition set to take effect from January 1, 2026.
The development signals a carefully planned leadership succession within one of Nigeria’s most prominent hospitality companies.
Dr. Elumelu will assume the role following the retirement of the current Board Chair, **Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom**, whose tenure concludes at the end of 2025. The company described the appointment as part of its long-term governance strategy aimed at sustaining growth, strengthening oversight, and positioning the business for future expansion in Nigeria’s evolving hospitality market.
A medical doctor by training, Dr. Elumelu brings a broad blend of clinical, corporate, and governance experience to the role.
She is the Chair of Avon Healthcare Limited and Avon Medical Practice, organisations that have played a growing role in expanding access to quality healthcare services across Nigeria.
Her leadership experience also spans the insurance and investment sectors, where she holds board-level positions within several private sector institutions.
Dr. Elumelu is a founding director of Heirs Holdings, the investment group with interests across healthcare, financial services, energy and hospitality.
Her exposure to diverse industries is expected to add strategic depth to Transcorp Hotels’ board deliberations, particularly as the company continues to diversify its offerings and enhance service delivery standards.
In addition to her corporate engagements, she is widely recognised for her philanthropic work as a trustee and co-founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Through the foundation, she has supported thousands of African entrepreneurs by promoting access to capital, training and mentorship, while also championing women’s economic inclusion and youth empowerment across the continent.
Dr. Elumelu received her medical degree from the University of Benin and has practised in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She has also undertaken executive education programmes at leading global institutions, equipping her with advanced leadership and management skills suited to complex corporate environments.
Transcorp Hotels Plc operates some of Nigeria’s most iconic hospitality assets, including the Transcorp Hilton Abuja and the recently developed Transcorp Centre, a large-scale events and leisure facility.
The company has remained focused on strengthening its market leadership while responding to changing travel, tourism and lifestyle trends.
With Dr. Elumelu set to take over the board leadership in 2026, industry observers expect continuity in strategic direction alongside renewed emphasis on innovation, corporate responsibility and long-term value creation for shareholders.
