UBA Announces Executive Board Changes to Strengthen Leadership for 2026
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is set to reveal a reshuffle of its top management team, which is a move that signals a change aimed at enabling the bank to keep growing and renewing its strategic focus over the next few years. These changes will be effective from January 1, 2026, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Upon this transition, four executive directors who have been with the bank for a long time will be going on retirement. Deputy Managing Director Mr. Muyiwa Akinyemi will be leaving the office with Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, Mr. Alex Alozie, and Mrs. Sola Yomi-Ajayi, who will also be ending their terms. These executives have been a great support to UBA all these years and thus have been instrumental in the bank’s growth and its deepened role as a major financial institution in the whole of Africa.
In order to keep up with their achievements, the UBA board decided to appoint three new executive directors. The digital banking segment will be under the supervision of Mr. Emmanuel Lamptey, a very important area considering that the bank is always investing in online and mobile services for its customers. Mr. Tosin Adewuyi will head the corporate banking division, focusing on large business clients and developing products and services that are their perfect fit. Mr. Chidi Okpala will be the new CEO of UBA Nigeria, the bank’s home market, and largest operational footprint.
Group Chairman Tony Elumelu spoke highly of the new executive directors. He said the board is convinced that the newly appointed executive directors have the requisite experience, are of great depth, and have the ability to execute, all of which will enable them to lead UBA into the coming stages of growth and innovation. In addition to this, Elumelu acknowledged the retirees for their tireless efforts in making the bank grow.
The changes in the management team are only the tip of the iceberg of UBA’s comprehensive succession plan. Besides, the bank has invested much in talent development and a pipeline approach to leadership turnover that enables it to maintain continuity while at the same time bringing in new faces. The newly appointed officials will be in charge of critical strategic areas as UBA is expanding its digital banking services, strengthening the customer relationships, and keeping up with its pan-African footprint.
UBA is a leading bank in Africa and thus has been able to cover a large number of people in different markets across the continent. These appointments occur as the bank is pushing for a number of projects in digital transformation, financial inclusion, and corporate finance. The mentioned areas are very important as the financial services sector is changing along with technology and the demands of the customers.
Elumelu’s remarks highlight how vital it is to have a seasoned leadership team when dealing with the challenges and opportunities of the banking sector. With a well-thought plan for renewal at the helm, UBA seeks to be in a position to cater to coming demands while at the same time maintaining stability and operational excellence.
Stakeholders together with industry watchers will be eagerly awaiting the new management’s takeover at the beginning of 2026. The extent to which they will manage to pull off their roles might become a determining factor for the performance and competitive edge of the bank in Africa’s dynamic banking landscape.