Oliver Alawuba was appointed as the United Bank for Africa Plc's new group managing director on Monday.
The new GMD will be responsible for managing all banking activities for the Group globally in the United Kingdom, United States of America, France, and United Arab Emirates in addition to its network of 20 African nations.
According to a statement released on Monday, Alawuba joined UBA in 1997 and has held a number of prominent positions, including group deputy managing director, CEO of UBA Ghana, and CEO of UBA, Africa.
Tony Elumelu, the chairman of the UBA Group, responded, saying: "I am delighted to announce Oliver Alawuba as the new Group Managing Director of the UBA Group. Oliver is well-suited to further our pan-African and international strategy because he has a wealth of expertise in Nigeria and with our African network.
“I have no doubt that Oliver will build on the legacy of Kennedy Uzoka, who has exemplified transformational leadership by championing a customer-first philosophy; launching our twentieth operation in Africa, UBA Mali; acquiring a wholesale banking licence for UBA UK in the United Kingdom; and opening our fourth global operation, UBA Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.”
Alawuba expressed his commitment to his new role as Group Managing Director, saying: “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this great institution and would like to thank the UBA Group Chairman and the members of the Board of Directors for the confidence they have put in me to deliver the mandate.”
The statement added that Alawuba takes on his new position from August 1, 2022, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Equally appointed is Muyiwa Akinyemi, as Deputy Managing Director. Akinyemi joined UBA in 1998, as a Senior Banking Officer in UBA’s Energy Bank, and has served the Group in Nigeria and our broader Africa network for twenty-four years.
Other executive appointments are Sola Yomi-Ajayi, Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking; Ugochukwu Nwagodoh, Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management; and Alex Alozie, Executive Director and Group Chief Operating Officer, who joined the Group in 2019 and has driven the Group’s digital transformation and operational efficiencies.
Also appointed is Emem Usoro, Executive Director, North Bank, who joined the Group in 2011 and has served in a series of senior regional appointments across Nigeria, covering the retail, corporate and public sectors.
The Board also announced the retirement of some Executive Directors, who have completed their tenor and will continue to serve the broader Group upon regulatory approval of a holding company structure.
A further announcement was made on the retirement of a Non-Executive Director, Joe C. Keshi, OON, who served as Vice Chairman of the board. This takes effect from August 1, 2022 after a completion of his tenure of twelve years.
The Group Chairman congratulated the retiring Directors on the completion of their tenors and their exemplary records.
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 35 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.
The statement added that Alawuba takes on his new position from August 1, 2022, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Equally appointed is Muyiwa Akinyemi, as Deputy Managing Director. Akinyemi joined UBA in 1998, as a Senior Banking Officer in UBA’s Energy Bank, and has served the Group in Nigeria and our broader Africa network for twenty-four years.
Other executive appointments are Sola Yomi-Ajayi, Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking; Ugochukwu Nwagodoh, Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management; and Alex Alozie, Executive Director and Group Chief Operating Officer, who joined the Group in 2019 and has driven the Group’s digital transformation and operational efficiencies.
Also appointed is Emem Usoro, Executive Director, North Bank, who joined the Group in 2011 and has served in a series of senior regional appointments across Nigeria, covering the retail, corporate and public sectors.
The Board also announced the retirement of some Executive Directors, who have completed their tenor and will continue to serve the broader Group upon regulatory approval of a holding company structure.
A further announcement was made on the retirement of a Non-Executive Director, Joe C. Keshi, OON, who served as Vice Chairman of the board. This takes effect from August 1, 2022 after a completion of his tenure of twelve years.
The Group Chairman congratulated the retiring Directors on the completion of their tenors and their exemplary records.
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 35 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.