Leadership

Tony O. Elumelu is a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born, raised and educated in Africa, Mr. Elumelu has been responsible for creating businesses across the continent, in sectors critical to Africa’s economic development.

In 2010, he founded Heirs Holdings, an African investment holding company, with investments in Financial Services, Power Generation, Oil and Gas, Agribusiness, Real Estate and Hospitality. In the same year, he established the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based and African-funded philanthropy, dedicated to catalysing entrepreneurship across Africa. He is Chairman of Heirs Holdings as well as UBA Group Plc and Transcorp Plc, which is Nigeria’s largest listed conglomerate.

In his early career, Mr. Elumelu turned the financially distressed Standard Trust Bank (STB) into a top-five financial services player in Nigeria. In 2005, he led the largest merger in the banking sector in sub-Saharan Africa between STB and United Bank for Africa (UBA). Today, UBA operates in 20 African countries, as well as New York, London, Paris and Dubai.

Mr. Elumelu is the author and leading proponent of “Africapitalism,” an economic philosophy that advocates for the private sector’s commitment to Africa’s development through long-term investment in strategic sectors of the economy, that drive economic prosperity and social wealth. In 2003, the Federal Government of Nigeria conferred the honour of Member of the Federal Republic on Mr. Elumelu. In 2012 he was awarded Commander of the Order of the Niger for his service in promoting private enterprise. In 2013, Mr. Elumelu received the Leadership Award in Business and Philanthropy from the Africa-America Institute Awards. He was also named African Business Icon at the 2013 African Business Awards. He was conferred the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2022.

Mr. Elumelu presently serves as a member of the Global Advisory Board of the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Initiative (SE4ALL) and USAID’s Private Capital Group for Africa Partners Forum. He sits on the Nigerian President’s Agricultural Transformation Implementation Council and serves as co-chair of the Aspen Institute Dialogue Series on Global Food Security. He played a leading role in the formation of the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria and now serves as its vice chairman. He chairs the Ministerial Committee to establish world-class hospitals and diagnostic centres across Nigeria, at the invitation of the Federal Government.

Oliver, a seasoned banking professional, comes on board with a broad range of strategic and well-grounded experience in Corporate and Institutional Banking, Consumer Banking, Public Sector, Retail and Commercial Banking, Project Management, Corporate Governance, and overall bank management.

Oliver has acquired 25 years of work experience in the banking industry after his short foray into academia. He joined the former Standard Trust Bank (STB) as a pioneer staff in 1997. Over the years, he has demonstrated a strong passion for excellence and result-oriented leadership capabilities.

Prior to his current appointment as the Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA Group, Oliver was at various times country CEO and Regional CEO in the Rest of Africa, Executive Director, East Bank (Nigeria) and later Group Deputy Managing Director/CEO, covering Nigeria and other 19 subsidiaries in the Rest of Africa. He also worked in another bank and rose to the position of Executive Director.

Oliver is an effective and self-motivated professional. He possesses B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Food Science and Technology and an MBA in Banking and Finance. He is an alumnus of the AMP and SEP programmes of the prestigious INSEAD Business School, France and London Business School respectively. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Ms. Angela Aneke is a board advisor, banker and strategic thinker with over 30 years’ experience in financial services, in the areas of Financial Control, Strategy, Transaction Banking, Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, and Governance.

Angela has held executive management and board positions in several international and regional institutions, including Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Citigroup and the United Bank for Africa. Angela holds a Bachelor of Science degree from The American University, Washington DC, USA and became an International Associate of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 1985. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, UK. She has attended several courses in banking and governance including Harvard Business School’s “Making Corporate Boards More Effective.”

Mrs. Owanari Duke has led a distinguished career which has straddled the roles of lawyer, public servant, entrepreneur and philanthropist. The former First Lady of Cross River State, Nigeria, Mrs. Duke used her position to raise awareness and currently serves as the Country Director of EMPRETEC Nigeria Foundation; a United Nations Centre for Trade & Development (UNCTAD) Private Sector Support Initiative that aims to assist Nigerians to achieve high levels of productivity and competitiveness amongst SMEs.

Mrs. Duke is also the Managing Partner of the law firm Duke and Bobmanuel. She is a certified Mediation/Dispute Resolution Consultant. In addition to this, she serves as the Executive Chairman of Allied Merchants & Brokers Limited, a leading merchandising and brokerage firm.

Mr. Abdulqadir J. Bello, a Chartered Accountant, has over 30 years’ corporate experience in the banking sector, during which period he held several senior management positions in various banks. He also previously served as the Group Chief Credit Officer of UBA and thereafter as the Executive Director in charge of Risk Management for UBA Group.

Ms. Aisha Hassan Baba, OON is the founding and Managing Partner of EBO, HASSAN BABA & CO. Aisha was admitted to practice law in Nigeria in 1981 and in the ensuing 35 years thereafter, served in very senior and sensitive positions in both federal and state public service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, notably as Deputy Director Public Prosecution, Director, Legal Services under the Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Federal Legal Aid Council (now Commission), Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, and as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State.

Aisha is a trained Legal Draftsman and Contract Negotiator and has worked as co-chair of the Committee on High Profile Federal Bills, notably the production of the final draft copy of the National Competition and Consumer Protection Bill and the National Competition and Consumer Protection Policy in 2014/15. She chaired the Committee that drafted the Nigerian Local Content in the non-oil Sector Policy 2014 and led the team that designed a model Investment Protection Agreement for the Nigerian Government that was approved by the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice in 2014. In 2013/2014, she led the team that developed a model draft Automotive Bill for the Nigerian Automotive Council (as it then was), steered the Federal Government’s Inter-Ministerial Committee that worked with the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) in 2013 to finalise the draft Nigerian Insolvency Bill and advised on the legal documentation for the setting up of the Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO), working with UNIDO.

Aisha co-chaired the Committee that developed the Nigerian Industrial Development Plan (NIRP) draft Bill 2014, advised on the legal Documentation of the Cotton, Textile and Garment Agreement between the Federal Government and Vlisco Group. She was the lead negotiator for the Federal Government of Nigeria in the negotiation of the IPPA between the FGN and the Kingdom of Qatar, Canada and Brazil from 2012 to 2014 as well as served as the lead delegate of the Nigerian Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation to the legal review of the draft Trade Facilitation Agreement to the WTO Headquarters in Geneva 2014, and chaired the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the Federal Government to review the Pioneer Status Administration 2014 under the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

In recognition of her diligence, passion and contribution to the public service of the Federation, Aisha was conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award in 2001 and the National Honours, Officer of the Order of the Niger, (OON) in 2005.

Aisha is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Commonwealth Bar Association, Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK. She currently serves on the Board Audit Committee, the Board Governance Committee and the Finance & General Purpose Committee of the Board.

Dr. Kayode Fashola is a consummate professional with over 30 years’ cognate experience obtained from management and board positions covering Banking Operations, Risk Management, Credit/Financial Analysis, Insurance, Asset Management, Business Strategy/Development, Performance Management and Corporate Governance.

Dr. Fashola previously served as an Executive Director of a commercial bank in Nigeria. He holds two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Business Administration specialising in Entrepreneurial Financing. Dr. Fashola is the Chairman of the Board’s Finance & General Purpose Committee. He also serves on the Board’s Credit and Risk Management Committees.

Emmanuel N. Nnorom has over 40 years work experience in financial services and audit, including significant board experience with listed companies. Mr. Nnorom is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). He is an alumnus of Templeton College, Oxford.

Muyiwa is the Deputy Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA). He oversees the Bank’s business in Southern Nigeria and coordinates the corporate banking arm of the institution. Prior to this, Akinyemi who joined UBA in 2005, drove the bank’s Energy Bank business and was General Manager, Corporate and Commercial Banking. He also headed the Wholesale Banking arm between 2013 and 2015, where he was responsible for the Bank’s business activities in various geographies where UBA was present at the time.

Muyiwa headed UBA Kenya as the CEO/MD between 2010 and 2011. Before joining UBA, Muyiwa worked in Standard Trust Bank between 1998 and 2005, where he led in various capacities including Head of Investment Banking, Head, Energy & Telecoms Division and Structured Finance Groups. He had previously worked in Diamond Bank between 1994 and 1998.

Muyiwa, a Chartered Accountant graduated with a B.Sc. Accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is also a member of several professional bodies including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, etc.

Alex Alozie, UBA’s Executive Director/Group Chief Operating Officer, joined the bank in 2019. He was charged with the responsibility of driving the bank’s digital transformation and operational efficiency. Just before he joined UBA, Alozie was the Head of Operations in Diamond Bank and Head of Digital and Head Office Operations in Access bank, where he successfully carried out various digital renovations that boosted the institutions. As a result, Alozie has been recognised by several regulators and has received numerous awards which include; CBN’s commendation for contributions to the introduction of the cashless initiative, SEC’s commendation for his role in implementing E-Dividend, CBN/NIBSS Award as a member of the BVN Implementation Committee amongst others.

Alex is a Fellow of the following Institutions; Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Strategic Managers & Leaders, Association of Human Resources of Nigeria, and is also a committee member of the CBN Committee on the introduction of the cashless policy in Nigeria, CBN/NIBSS Committee on Implementation of BVN, CBN/SEC Committee on E-Dividend Mandate and CBN Committee on Shared Services.

Sola Yomi-Ajayi is a highly experienced banker with over 28 years of banking experience, managing Corporate and Institutional relationships with significant experience managing International Banking, Regulatory Engagement, Structured funding, Risk management, Financial inclusion, Transaction banking, Correspondent banking, Treasury, and Operations.

As the Executive Director for International Banking and the CEO of UBA America, Sola Yomi-Ajayi is responsible for strategy formulation as well as oversight for UBA Group’s International business operations in America, Grand Cayman Islands, UK, France, and Dubai-DIFC. She is also responsible for the strategic oversight of the Group’s Diplomatic, Multilateral, and Development Organization portfolios and she leads the respective teams in the execution of the corporate strategy and delivery of unique best-in-class financial solutions to UBA’s customers across four continents.

Sola has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and an MBA from the Aberdeen Business School, UK. Additionally, she has undertaken Executive Leadership education from Harvard Business School and Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, UK, and a Member, Board of Trustees for the US-based Institute of International Banking.

Ugochukwu has a B.Sc. from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and holds M.Sc. degrees in Risk Management from Stern School of Business, New York, and Finance and Management from Cranfield University, England. He is a seasoned Financial Analyst with nearly 3 decades of experience cutting across Banking, Consulting; Audit/Business Assurance and related service industries with a proven track record of accomplishments in client/relationship management, transaction banking, deal origination and provision of customised solutions to customers.

Prior to his current position as Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management, he served in different capacities at different times in the bank as General Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Group Financial Controller, Group Chief Compliance Officer, and Head, Performance Management.

 He is a member of, the Institute of Directors of Nigeria; Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments, UK; Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria; Practice Advisory Board for MSc Finance programmes of Cranfield University and an Honorary Senior Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

Before joining UBA in 2004, he had a decade’s experience with the renowned firms of Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers in Nigeria and Kenya.

Oliver, a seasoned banking professional, comes on board with a broad range of strategic and well-grounded experience in Corporate and Institutional Banking, Consumer Banking, Public Sector, Retail and Commercial Banking, Project Management, Corporate Governance, and overall bank management.

Oliver has acquired 25 years of work experience in the banking industry after his short foray into academia. He joined the former Standard Trust Bank (STB) as a pioneer staff in 1997. Over the years, he has demonstrated a strong passion for excellence and result-oriented leadership capabilities.

Prior to his current appointment as the Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA Group, Oliver was at various times country CEO and Regional CEO in the Rest of Africa, Executive Director, East Bank (Nigeria) and later Group Deputy Managing Director/CEO, covering Nigeria and other 19 subsidiaries in the Rest of Africa. He also worked in another bank and rose to the position of Executive Director.

Oliver is an effective and self-motivated professional. He possesses B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Food Science and Technology and an MBA in Banking and Finance. He is an alumnus of the AMP and SEP programmes of the prestigious INSEAD Business School, France and London Business School respectively. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Muyiwa is the Deputy Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA). He oversees the Bank’s business in Southern Nigeria and coordinates the corporate banking arm of the institution. Prior to this, Akinyemi who joined UBA in 2005, drove the bank’s Energy Bank business and was General Manager, Corporate and Commercial Banking. He also headed the Wholesale Banking arm between 2013 and 2015, where he was responsible for the Bank’s business activities in various geographies where UBA was present at the time.

Muyiwa headed UBA Kenya as the CEO/MD between 2010 and 2011. Before joining UBA, Muyiwa worked in Standard Trust Bank between 1998 and 2005, where he led in various capacities including Head of Investment Banking, Head, Energy & Telecoms Division and Structured Finance Groups. He had previously worked in Diamond Bank between 1994 and 1998.

Muyiwa, a Chartered Accountant graduated with a B.Sc. Accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is also a member of several professional bodies including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, etc.

Alex Alozie, UBA’s Executive Director/Group Chief Operating Officer, joined the bank in 2019. He was charged with the responsibility of driving the bank’s digital transformation and operational efficiency. Just before he joined UBA, Alozie was the Head of Operations in Diamond Bank and Head of Digital and Head Office Operations in Access bank, where he successfully carried out various digital renovations that boosted the institutions. As a result, Alozie has been recognised by several regulators and has received numerous awards which include; CBN’s commendation for contributions to the introduction of the cashless initiative, SEC’s commendation for his role in implementing E-Dividend, CBN/NIBSS Award as a member of the BVN Implementation Committee amongst others.

Alex is a Fellow of the following Institutions; Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Strategic Managers & Leaders, Association of Human Resources of Nigeria, and is also a committee member of the CBN Committee on the introduction of the cashless policy in Nigeria, CBN/NIBSS Committee on Implementation of BVN, CBN/SEC Committee on E-Dividend Mandate and CBN Committee on Shared Services.

Sola Yomi-Ajayi is a highly experienced banker with over 28 years of banking experience, managing Corporate and Institutional relationships with significant experience managing International Banking, Regulatory Engagement, Structured funding, Risk management, Financial inclusion, Transaction banking, Correspondent banking, Treasury, and Operations.

As the Executive Director for International Banking and the CEO of UBA America, Sola Yomi-Ajayi is responsible for strategy formulation as well as oversight for UBA Group’s International business operations in America, Grand Cayman Islands, UK, France, and Dubai-DIFC. She is also responsible for the strategic oversight of the Group’s Diplomatic, Multilateral, and Development Organization portfolios and she leads the respective teams in the execution of the corporate strategy and delivery of unique best-in-class financial solutions to UBA’s customers across four continents.

Sola has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and an MBA from the Aberdeen Business School, UK. Additionally, she has undertaken Executive Leadership education from Harvard Business School and Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, UK, and a Member, Board of Trustees for the US-based Institute of International Banking.

Ugochukwu has a B.Sc. from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and holds M.Sc. degrees in Risk Management from Stern School of Business, New York, and Finance and Management from Cranfield University, England. He is a seasoned Financial Analyst with nearly 3 decades of experience cutting across Banking, Consulting; Audit/Business Assurance and related service industries with a proven track record of accomplishments in client/relationship management, transaction banking, deal origination and provision of customised solutions to customers.

Prior to his current position as Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management, he served in different capacities at different times in the bank as General Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Group Financial Controller, Group Chief Compliance Officer, and Head, Performance Management.

 He is a member of, the Institute of Directors of Nigeria; Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments, UK; Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria; Practice Advisory Board for MSc Finance programmes of Cranfield University and an Honorary Senior Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

Before joining UBA in 2004, he had a decade’s experience with the renowned firms of Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers in Nigeria and Kenya.

Bili holds an LLB (Hons) degree from Edo State University, Ekpoma, Nigeria and was enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1990. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom), the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association. He is an alumnus of the Lagos Business School (Chief Executive Programme 18) and the New York Institute of Finance.

He has held high-level strategic positions in top financial service institutions in Nigeria, with responsibilities that encompass Asset Management, Structured Finance, Legal Advisory, Corporate Governance, Human Resources Management, Administration, Knowledge Management and Business Communication.

Kayode Ishola is currently the Group Head, Information Technology of United Bank for Africa (UBA). He is a seasoned Information Technology specialist with more than two decades of unbroken experience in the banking industry. Prior to his current role, he served as the bank’s Chief Digital Officer with responsibilities for setting and executing the bank’s digital banking initiatives. He is execution-oriented and a problem solver with a deep background and experience in the fields of IT Project Management, IT Service Delivery, IT Risk Management, Core Banking Application Management, and Digital Banking Transformation.

He has successfully implemented key technology projects in UBA Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He is a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) and an honorary senior member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). He holds a BSc. Degree in Computer Science from the University of Ilorin. He is also an alumnus of the University of Liverpool where he obtained his postgraduate diploma in Information Technology.

Alero Ladipo is the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA Group. Prior to joining UBA Group, she was the Executive Head, Marketing and Customer Experience at Old Mutual, the Nigerian subsidiary of Old Mutual Limited, the pan-African insurance and financial services group with presence in 13 African countries.

With a background in Law, Alero has built her extensive career in Marketing and Communication with over 19 years of experience in Strategy Development, Customer & Product Portfolio Management, Public & Media Relations, and Integrated Marketing to mention but a few.

Alero has worked in some of Nigeria’s leading financial services providers, such as United Bank for Africa (UBA), Union Bank and Stanbic IBTC as well as Standard Bank in South Africa, leading marketing strategy for Pan-African Corporate, Commercial, Retail, and Wealth businesses.

Alero has been at the frontline of deepening marketing communications, stakeholder management, customer experience and market penetration for the brands in the African financial market, with a specific focus on elevating new brands in markets as well as building the community of Marketing and corporate communications professionals.

Alero holds a Bachelor of Laws LLB) Degree from the University of Northumbria, Newcastle, and a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Trade from the University of Essex, Colchester, both from the United Kingdom as well as a certificate on Strategy from Harvard Business School.

Modupe Akindele is an accomplished Senior HR Director and Change Management Specialist, currently serving as the Group Head of Human Resources for United Bank for Africa. With her extensive experience, Modupe oversees human capital management in the Group and is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the Human Resources strategy across 24 countries.

With a career spanning over two decades, Modupe began her journey in Human Resources in 1998 with Optima Sports International. Her dedication and expertise led her to Airtel Nigeria in 2002, where she held various key roles, including Consultant Human Resources Operations, HR Business Partner, Senior HR Business Partner, and Talent Sourcing Manager. Her outstanding contributions at Airtel earned her the prestigious Chief Executive Officer’s Award for Excellent Interventions & Good Customer Service before departing in 2012.

Modupe‘s career continued to flourish as she assumed the position of Head of HR Operations at Coca-Cola Hellenic (NBC), and in 2014, she became the Senior HR Business Partner for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Services.

Prior to joining United Bank for Africa, Modupe served as the Group Human Resources Director at Heirs Holdings.

Modupe Akindele is a seasoned professional with a wealth of strategic, operational, risk management, and cross-cultural expertise. She is known for her ability to orchestrate transformative change management, development, and engagement programs across diverse industries. Throughout her career, she has consistently played a pivotal role in driving organizational growth and enhancing performance.

An experienced professional banker with over 18 years’ experience in the banking industry and varied experiences in financial services – lending, credit, financial analysis, and control, assets trading (interest rates, fixed income, and currencies), treasury and balance sheet management, combined with exposure to enterprise risk management.

Adeleke is an Accounting graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and holds an MBA (Finance) from the University of Lagos. He is an Associate of ICAN; a Certified Information System Auditor (CISA); Honorary Senior Member of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN); a holder of the ACI (Financial Markets) certification and has passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) USA exams.

He has held many senior management roles within UBA Group and was the Executive Director, Business Development of UBA (UK), MD/CEO of UBA UK before he was appointed the CEO for UBA East & Southern Africa.

Theresa Henshaw is currently the CEO Designate, UBA UK. Prior to this appointment, Theresa was the DMD, Business Development, UBA America, and joined UBA UK in November 2020 as Head of Business Development from Crown Agents Bank UK, where she led the Global Markets Sales desk and Africa team. Prior to Crown Agents Bank, she spent 14 years at Habib Bank UK as Head of Treasury with executive oversight and responsibility for all Treasury activities in the UK, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Theresa has over 20 years of banking experience, including 14 years working in the City of London, and specializing in all aspects of treasury management including risk management, liquidity management, fixed income, compliance, business development, capital management, funding, and FX dealing.

Theresa is an alumnus of CASS Business School having studied MSc Finance & Investment; a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and a member of the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investments and runs a Mentor club for young, female professionals/entrepreneurs in the UK. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and the arts.

Sola Yomi-Ajayi is a highly experienced banker with over 28 years of banking experience, managing Corporate and Institutional relationships with significant experience managing International Banking, Regulatory Engagement, Structured funding, Risk management, Financial inclusion, Transaction banking, Correspondent banking, Treasury, and Operations.

As the Executive Director for International Banking and the CEO of UBA America, Sola Yomi-Ajayi is responsible for strategy formulation as well as oversight for UBA Group’s International business operations in America, Grand Cayman Islands, UK, France, and Dubai-DIFC. She is also responsible for the strategic oversight of the Group’s Diplomatic, Multilateral, and Development Organization portfolios and she leads the respective teams in the execution of the corporate strategy and delivery of unique best-in-class financial solutions to UBA’s customers across four continents.

Sola has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and an MBA from the Aberdeen Business School, UK. Additionally, she has undertaken Executive Leadership education at Harvard Business School and Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, UK, and a Member, Board of Trustees for the US-based Institute of International Banking.

With an extensive banking career spanning over twenty-four (24) years, Uzoechina Molokwu boasts a wealth of expertise across diverse sectors including Energy Banking, Corporate Banking, Private Client Services, Commercial Banking, Small and Medium Enterprises Banking, Consumer Banking, and Savings Team. His leadership roles have encompassed positions as Deputy Managing Director, Directorate Head, Regional Manager, and Branch Manager, culminating in his distinguished tenure as Executive Director at UBA Cote D’Ivoire.

Educated in Philosophy at Nigerian Universities, Uzoechina further honed his skills with an MBA. He augmented his academic achievements with an MSc in Corporate Governance and an LLM in Business Law from reputable UK Universities.

Uzoechina’s professional journey is marked by a commendable track record in relationship management, business development, credit assessments, restructurings, risk asset portfolio oversight, and adept people management.

Sampson Aneke’s rich experience and play in the digital space has come to the fore with his recent appointment as Group General Manager, Retail, Digital & Transaction Banking Group in the United Bank for Africa. He joined the Group in 2019 with the responsibility for SME banking across the Group’s African network and was also responsible for the Group’s business in Lagos and southern Nigeria.

He was the Directorate Head, South Bank spanning over 17 States of the Federation and housing over 313 Branches. He was also Head, SME Banking in 20 UBA present countries and double-hatted as Group Head, Digital Banking & Bank Head (BH), Apapa 2 Region. Sampson has put up over two decades of Banking experience which spans across three banks, Ecobank, Access Bank (formerly Diamond Bank) and more recently United Bank for Africa. He has spent the last 15 years in Senior Management Levels.

He holds a B.Sc. degree in Banking and Finance, MBA in Business Administration & Management and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management and an Alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School.

Mary is a seasoned banking professional with a broad range of strategic and well-grounded experience in the Corporate, Commercial, Public, Institutional banking, SME, Retail, and digital banking sectors.

With an extensive career spanning over two decades in the banking sector, Mary has served as Executive Director for UBA Kenya and pivotal executive and senior roles in other commercial banks with her expertise, and leadership, delivering comprehensive business advisory services and innovative solutions.

Mary holds an MBA in Finance, a degree in Education with a focus on Accounting and Economics, and a diploma in Business Management. She serves on the board of the Kenya Association of Women Business Owners (KAWBO) and is the Vice Chair at the International Chamber of Commerce Kenya’s Banking Commission.

Nouba has more than 26 years of banking experience, from banking operations to commercial functions and then General Management. Before joining UBA in 2008, he successively held important positions at Societe Generale Bank in Chad: Regional Director of the South Zone, Director of Operations, Project Directors.

At UBA Chad, Nouba held during these 12 years the positions of Director of Operations, Director of Operations, Deputy General Manager in charge of operations, Deputy General Manager in charge of the Public Sector and Government then General Manager in March 2018, where he won for 3 consecutive years the “Bank of the Year” award by The Bankers Magazine (Financial Times).

Nouba is renowned for his wealth of experience in banking, leadership and relationship management. He has a strong relationship with his country and has extensive knowledge of Chad’s banking sector. Nouba holds a master’s degree in business management from the University of Ndjamena and several high-level training certificates.

A seasoned banking executive, Julien Kouassi is of Ivorian nationality and has 19 years of experience in banking. He began his career at Crédit Agricole in Paris then joined the audit firms DELOITTE and KPMG based in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea, where he was director of audit missions for banks and financial institutions.

It was from 2012 that Julien Kouassi began his rise in the UBA group by successively occupying the positions of head of department, director of the public sector and financial institutions, then director of large companies at UBA Côte d’Ivoire.

After having brilliantly managed large companies within the Ivorian subsidiary of the UBA group from 2014 to 2020, he was promoted to executive director in charge of business development.

Holder of a master’s degree in Savings and Financial Investments obtained at the University of Angers in France, he will have the difficult task of leading the ship UBA Burkina to the port of renewed growth. He was officially installed on Monday, July 26, 2021 in his new role as Managing Director of UBA Burkina, also serving on the Board of Directors of the pan-African bank.

Mr. Ngimbock holds an Executive MBA in Economics from the University of Quebec (Montreal, Canada) and a diploma from the ITB (France). In 1993, he graduated in business management with an economics option from the University of Yaoundé. He began his banking career at the International Bank of Cameroon for Savings and Credit of Cameroon in 1999 as a Relationship Manager until July 2008, when he joined UBA Cameroon for the same function. In 2009, he was appointed Regional Business Development Manager. In search of new challenges, Mr. Ngimbock left UBA Cameroon for Standard Chartered Bank Cameroon SA as Head of Local Corporate Banking in 2015, where he worked until January 2018. He then returned to the large UBA family as as Managing Director of the Congo subsidiary in March 2018.

Mr. Gbenga Makinde presently serves as the Managing Director/CEO of UBA Tanzania, a notable subsidiary operating under the umbrella of the United Bank for Africa (Plc).

Mr. Gbenga was appointed to assume his role in January 2022. His initial term is set to conclude in January 2026, with his upcoming term extending until January 2030.

Fondly referred to as GMak, Mr. Gbenga boasts an extensive career within the banking industry, spanning over two decades, during which he has steered pivotal departments with remarkable finesse.

Preceding his esteemed role as MD/CEO of UBA Tanzania, he held the same position at UBA Benin, where his tenure was marked by a multitude of notable achievements across varying time frames. Prior to his tenure at UBA Plc, Mr. Makinde showcased his talents in a series of managerial capacities and positions, garnering experience from Metropolitan Bank Limited, Equatorial Trust Bank Limited, and Access Bank Plc.

Mr. Makinde’s approach is distinctly people-centric, and his dedication to refining his communication skills has enabled him to effectively engage with diverse target audiences and stakeholders, thereby propelling business growth to new heights.

Chioma is a seasoned banker with almost 3 decades of combined experience at top management and executive levels in banking spanning Treasury & Corporate Finance, Operations, Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Business development, risk management, and a broad spectrum of executive management functions.

Noted for her visionary leadership with a global perspective in a very outstanding career in the UBA Group, Chioma worked in various Senior Management roles in Nigeria including the last position as the Regional Director, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The marketing strategist and disruptive thinker was appointed Managing Director/CEO of UBA Liberia in 2011 to reposition the subsidiary business for improved performance which she did remarkably in her five and a half years. Beyond managing the subsidiary and establishing the bank as a Systemically Important Bank, Mrs Mang during her tenure as MD/CEO of UBA Liberia also held the position of the Vice President of the Liberian Bankers Association and was instrumental in redefining the banking sector.

Following consistent accomplishment in maximizing corporate performance in Liberia, She was redeployed as Managing Director/CEO of UBA Gabon in 2016 again to position the subsidiary for a critical turnaround. Chioma significantly grew the Balance sheet and profitability of the subsidiary to an enviable standpoint and established the bank as the best Digital Bank in Gabon thus winning back-to-back the coveted “Banker of the Year” Award of the Banker’s Magazine (Financial Times, London) three times, from 2016 to 2019.

Against these background achievements, she was appointed the MD/CEO of UBA Uganda and has resumed in that capacity following the approval of the Central Bank of Uganda.

The rated banker is expected to deploy her wealth of experience and innovative approach in managing and growing the business of this UBA Group subsidiary while playing a critical role in the development of the industry in Uganda.

Chioma had her university education in the United Kingdom where she graduated with Honors in Law (LLB) from the University of Reading, England and holds a Master’s Degree in Commercial & Corporate Law(LL.M) from the prestigious University College London (UCL). She was successfully called to the Nigerian Bar. Chioma has attended various Executive Management Programs and Courses in her career journey.

She is a Performance-driven and insightful leader with a proven ability to achieve and exceed set goals/targets in a high-pressure environment. Her cosmopolitan dexterity facilities consulting with diverse persons and organization both in private and government sectors to delineate and analyse both financial and exogenous situations aimed at developing strategic solutions to achieve itemized goals. An innovative and creative leader adept in proffering solutions to arduous situations, Chioma is distinguished by an entrepreneurial drive to business. She successfully maintained the bank’s operations during the high business challenge occasioned by Ebola crisis in Liberia, collaborating with the Government and International NGOs to ensure uninterruptible services to the public in addition to the security of customers and staff.

She is an experienced and tested team-builder with strong People skills using uncommon panache to drive corporate excellence and growth through a culturally diverse disposition.

She is an acclaimed mentor having groomed astute professionals in the course of her brilliant career, and a passionate philanthropist. She is happiest when she has impacted positively on her environment and is driven by the desire to bring out the best in everyone she is privileged to meet.

Chioma joined the services of the United Bank for Africa in 1999 and today holds the enviable record in UBA Group as the only MD/CEO with a footprint in the three financial zones in West, Central and East Africa.

Rotimi is an experienced finance specialist who has built a rich career in the financial services industry over a span of about 24 years. His experience cuts across various areas of banking including Business Origination and Client Coverage, Corporate and Institutional Banking, Commercial Banking, Corporate Finance, Business Development, Financial Advisory, Portfolio Management, Business Strategy formulation, Banking Operations etc. His career has seen him through financial institutions such as Ecobank Group, Standard Chartered Bank, GT Bank Nigeria and MBC International Bank (now First Bank of Nigeria).

Over the years he has developed experience and knowledge of various industries and sectors across local and international markets and has also built an extensive network of client relationships across Africa.

In terms of market focus his inclination has been largely across large Corporate clients as well as Small and Medium Enterprises across various industry segments supporting their cash management, Transaction Banking, working capital, project as well as Trade Finance requirements. He has a passion for supply chain financing.

Rotimi holds two Masters in Business Administration degrees, one from the Warwick Business School, Coventry England and the other from the University of Ilorin Nigeria. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria.

He is married with 3 children. He is an avid reader, a pianist and loves to network. His leadership journey has earned him a wide network of professional mentees.

CHINEDU OBETA, holds an MBA (Banking and Finance) from the University of Nigeria. He is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered). He has over 20 years experience in banking.

He is currently MD/CEO of UBA Zambia. Prior to his appointment as MD/CEO of UBA Zambia he held various positions in the Banking Industry as follows:

– MD/CEO for UBA Sierra Leone.

– Business Manager at UBA Plc.

– Executive Director Wholesale Banking at UBA Sierra Leone

Mohamed is a seasoned banker with close to two decades of working experience in the Sierra Leonean banking industry. Until his appointment as the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Sierra Leone, he was the bank’s Executive Director, Business Development.

He is passionate about banking and has a strong drive to create an impact in the business and financial arena. Mohamed has several accolades and was most recently named among the 100 Most Outstanding Executives in Sierra Leone by the Sierra Ovation Awards.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing.

Mohamed is bringing on board his wealth of experience and understanding of the country’s corporate and institutional banking landscape to further strengthen UBA’s strategic place in the market.

Jude Anele is a seasoned banker with 27 years of experience working in different banks. His work has covered consumer banking, Micro, Small & Medium Size Enterprises Banking, direct sales, and mass affluent banking among others.

He has served in different capacities as UBA Group, Head of Retail Banking in charge of bank-wide Retail strategy. Before this, he served in various capacities at Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, and Assurance Bank.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master’s in Business Administration, and an Advanced Management Program AMP in Management.

With 23 years of banking experience which started at Citibank Abidjan, Charles KONE is the MD/CEO of UBA Benin, a position he has held since Nov 2022. Prior to this, he was the Executive Director of the same bank.

Charles has a Master’s degree in Finance from Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers of Paris /France (CNAM) He has great interpersonal and communicative skills as well as sales and operations skills.

He joined UBA Côte d’Ivoire in 2007 and occupied various positions as Head of Corporate Banking, Head of Retail Banking, and Head of Retail Products.

He was also the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of UBA Burkina Faso from 2010 to 2013.

He is an alumnus of the Programme for Management Development ( PMD ) of MDE /IESE Business School University of Navarra/Spain.

Tony Odeigah has over 23 years of experience in the banking sector. Tony Odeigah was appointed on the 1st of July 2022 as Managing Director of UBA Senegal. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Tony has worked in Operations and Marketing within the UBA group since his time at Standard Trust Bank in 2000. Prior to his appointment, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer – UBA Senegal, Regional Operating Officer – UBA West Africa 2 and Managing Director of UBA Guinea. Tony Odeigah also worked with UBA Kenya during the establishment of the subsidiary.

He has a strong background in Banking, Information Technology, Digital Banking, and Marketing and is a firm believer in quality customer service.

Hacko Rokia KONE, appointed on July 14, 2020, officially took office as the new Managing Director of UBA Mali on Monday, July 27, 2020.

Hacko has over 20 years of experience in the banking sector, where she has acquired solid skills in business development and risk management. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Economics (University Paris Dauphine), a DEA in currency, banking, and finance (Lyon 2 University), and an Executive MBA (University Paris Sorbonne).

She began her career in January 2000 as a credit analyst in France at Citibank International PLC (France), before joining the BNP Group’s Malian subsidiary in 2002. There, she successively held the positions of Credit Analyst, Senior Credit Officer, Head of Marketing and Communications, Head of Retail Banking, and Head of Wholesale Banking.

Hacko is a proactive manager with an eye for detail, high integrity and a strong sense of teamwork.

Ayokunle Olajubu Abraham is currently the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of United Bank for Africa, Liberia Limited. He has a vast experience in all levels of banking for over 33 years.

Born on September 10, 1968, Ayokunle started his professional banking career in March 1992 at entry level as a Teller with the defunct Nigeria International Bank. With his resilience and zeal to excel in banking, he moved to Citizens Bank as a Cash Officer in September 1995 and moved over to UBA PLC as a Customer Service Manager in 1999.

Ayokunle exited UBA PLC and moved over to Devcom Bank as a Branch Operations Manager in December 2003. He later joined Access Bank as a Manager in 2006 within the designate of an Internal Auditor and was later transferred to Sierra Leone as a Country Operations Officer in 2007.

Due to hard work and efficiency in his deliverables in Access Bank, Ayokunle was later transferred to Cote d’Ivoire as a Country Operations Officer and got promoted to Assistant General Manager in March 2012.

In January 2014, after the expiration of his expatriate deployment, Ayokunle returned to Nigeria and was elevated to the position of Group Head – Value Chain Management and was later transferred to the Gambia with the designated position of Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank of the Gambia.

Due to the enthusiasm he had to continue his banking career at UBA, Ayokunle later joined UBA PLC in December 2021 and is currently the Managing Director/CEO, UBA Liberia.

Eugenia Onyekwelu has over 20 years of professional banking experience. She is versatile in banking practices and contributed immensely as Project Team Lead in the strategic formation of some greenfield entities and the standardisation of brownfield acquisition processes in 10 UBA subsidiaries.

Before her current position, she served as the Chief Operating Officer of UBA Gabon SA. Certified PRINCE2 Project Manager, ITIL Certified and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM). Eugenia holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and a Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of llorin in Nigeria.

Eugenia is married with 2 children.

Cherif has 24 years of professional experience in the banking industry. He is currently holding the position of Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at UBA Guinea since July 2022. He handled the position of Executive Director & Deputy Managing Director (ED/DMD) combined with the function of the head of Business Development, which comprises Institutional Banking, Commercial and Corporate Banking, Transactional Banking as well as Public Sector and Trade Sales in the same subsidiary stated above from November 2018 to June 2022.

He joined UBA Guinea as Business Manager in June 2009 and occupied that position for seven years and was appointed Head of Retail Banking from 2016 to 2018. At Ecobank, where he spent ten years, he started as Bank Operation Officer and Branch Manager of several branches before leaving. CHERIF holds a European Master’s in Corporate Finance at Sherbrooke Academy, Guinea – a representation of Sherbrooke Canada.