Transcorp Hotels Plc has announced the appointment of Dr. Awele Vivien Elumelu as the new Chairman of its Board of Directors, with effect from January 1, 2026.
The appointment places a seasoned healthcare executive, investor and philanthropist at the helm of one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality companies.
Dr. Elumelu, a medical doctor and business leader, is the founder of Avon Healthcare Limited, Nigeria’s largest health insurance company, and the Chief Executive Officer of Avon Medical Practice, a network of hospitals, clinics and onsite medical facilities. She is also a major investor on the Nigerian Exchange and currently holds a 5.1 per cent stake in Transcorp Plc, the parent company of Transcorp Hotels.
According to the company, Dr. Elumelu will succeed Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom, who is scheduled to retire as Board Chair on the same date. Mr. Nnorom has served on the board for several years, contributing to the growth and stability of the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc.
Transcorp Hotels is quoted on the Nigerian Exchange under the ticker symbol TRANSCOHOT and operates as the hospitality arm of Transcorp Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning power, energy and hospitality.
In announcing the appointment, the company highlighted Dr. Elumelu’s extensive experience in healthcare management, insurance and corporate governance. She currently serves as Chair of Avon Healthcare Limited, Avon Medical Practice and Heirs Insurance Brokers, and is a founding director of Heirs Holdings.
Chairman of Transcorp Group, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, expressed confidence that her leadership would help drive a strategy that integrates hospitality with wellness, innovation and responsible business practices, in line with the group’s long-term vision.
Dr. Elumelu earned her MBBS degree from the University of Benin and has practiced medicine in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She has also completed executive education programmes at Harvard Business School, IMD in Switzerland and the London School of Economics.
Beyond her corporate roles, she is a co-founder and trustee of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which supports young African entrepreneurs through training, mentorship and seed funding, with a strong emphasis on gender inclusion.
The appointment comes at a time when hotel operators in Nigeria are diversifying their revenue streams beyond accommodation, focusing on conferences, large-scale events and entertainment. Transcorp Hotels’ portfolio includes the Transcorp Hilton Abuja and the newly launched Transcorp Centre, a 5,000-seat events and entertainment facility in the Federal Capital Territory.
The company noted that no additional board or management changes were announced and that the transition will be completed at the beginning of the new year, subject to relevant regulatory disclosures.
