Heirs Holdings, a leading pan-African investment company, has announced the appointment of Obinna Ufudo and Sola Yomi-Ajayi as non-executive directors to its board, adding significant depth in expertise and leadership as it pursues long-term strategic growth.
In a statement issued on January 25, 2026, the investment firm said the new appointments reflect its continued commitment to strong corporate governance and excellence in company oversight, vital elements as it expands its footprint across key African markets.
Heirs Holdings Founder and Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, described the appointees as exemplary leaders whose careers align with the company’s purpose. “Both Obinna and Sola are role models for Africapitalism. Their depth of experience and track records will further support our leadership in Pan African proprietary investment; together, they bring highly relevant experience for our portfolio development,” he said.
New Board Members Bring Decades of Experience
Obinna Ufudo joins the board with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience spanning banking, investment, energy and corporate transformation. Prior to his board appointment, Ufudo served as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at Heirs Holdings, where he played a central role in shaping operations and strategic initiatives.
Ufudo’s background also includes serving as President and Group CEO of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), where he led a successful business turnaround and orchestrated the acquisition of the Ughelli Power Plant, a major milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector. He is also the founder and chairman of Atiat Leasing Limited and co-founder and chairman of LoanBook Limited. Ufudo holds advanced executive and postgraduate qualifications from institutions such as the Wharton School, University of Reading and IESE Business School, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
Sola Yomi-Ajayi brings over three decades of global financial services expertise and governance experience to the board. Yomi-Ajayi has held numerous senior roles, including serving as Executive Director and CEO of United Bank for Africa’s (UBA) international business and Country CEO for UBA America.
Her governance credentials include board positions with UBA UK and the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), and membership in the OECD Blue Dot Network Executive Consultation Group. She has also served on the Sub-Saharan Africa advisory committee of the US Export-Import Bank and the board of trustees of the Institute of International Banking (USA). Yomi-Ajayi holds an MBA from the Aberdeen Business School and credentials from the Wharton Business School and Harvard Business School, among other professional distinctions.
Strengthening Governance and Strategic Direction
Heirs Holdings is known for its philosophy of Africapitalism, which emphasizes private sector-led investment that drives economic and social growth across Africa’s markets. Its diversified portfolio includes interests in energy, power, banking, insurance, technology, real estate, hospitality and healthcare across more than 20 countries.
By appointing board members with extensive cross-sector experience and global perspectives, Heirs Holdings is reinforcing the governance frameworks that support sustainable investment and operational excellence. These leadership enhancements align with broader efforts to attract global capital, strengthen institutional trust and guide strategic decision-making in complex emerging markets.
This strengthening of Heirs Holdings’ board comes amid heightened investor interest in African markets, where solid governance structures are increasingly seen as key to unlocking foreign direct investment, improving project execution and supporting broader economic growth across infrastructure, finance and energy sectors.
