Leadership

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 Rest of Nigeria (excluding North Bank and East Bank). 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.

He holds a B.Sc degree in Accountancy and an MBA from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. He has more than two decades of experience spanning Banking Operations, Finance, Technology, Audit, and Strategy.

Abiola Bawuah is the first ever female CEO of UBA Africa. Previously, she was the Regional CEO, West Africa, supervising our operations in nine subsidiaries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. In 2013, she left Zenith Bank Ghana; where she was the Executive Director; having previously held the positions of the General Manager, Marketing and Group Head, Retail Banking; and joined UBA Ghana as Deputy Managing Director the same year. Mrs. Bawuah also worked with Standard Chartered Bank as the Head of Sales; with CAL Bank as Relationship Manager; Strategic African Securities as an authorized dealing broker and with the then Bentsi-Enchi and Letsa; now Bentsi-Enchil, Letsa and Ankomah law firm as an investment officer.

Bawuah holds a BSc in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, an LLB from the University of London, a diploma in Marketing from GIMPA and EMBA (Finance) from the University of Ghana. She also has numerous leadership qualifications from Harvard Business School, Columbia, University of New York, INSEAD and Institut Villa Pierrefeu in Switzerland.

Alex Alozie, UBA’s Executive Director/North bank, 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 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.

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.

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 Regional Head/East Bank 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 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 ED/East Bank and has resumed in that capacity.

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.

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.

Tomiwa is the Directorate Head of Resources overseeing Human Resources, Corporate Services and the Marketing & Corporate Communications functions at UBA.

A consummate Financial Services professional and an astute problem-solver with over two decades of work experience spanning the entire spectrum of value creation – from strategy development, to full organizational value realization, Tomiwa was the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Group Chairman prior to this role. He was also the Group Head, Strategy and Group Head, Retail Banking across the banking group at various times.

Before joining UBA, Tomiwa was a Manager in the Strategy Service Line of the Financial Services division of Accenture, the global management consulting firm, where he was responsible for the development and delivery of solutions to clients’ strategic business issues utilizing the strategic levers of technology, process and people.

He is a certified member of the Chief of Staff Association and an alumnus of the University of Ilorin with certificates from Harvard Business School and the Cambridge Judge Business School.

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.

Mike has had over two and half decades of career in the Banking and Finance industry cutting across Business Relationship Management, Treasury and International Banking, Finance, Credit Risk Management, and vast experience in Operations. Prior to his current role as the Group Head, Internal Control, he functioned as the Group Head, Business Assurance, Head, Global Shared Services, Group Head of Operations, and Group Head, Policy and Operational Risk Compliance.

Mike holds a B.Sc degree in Banking and Finance from Olabisi Onabanjo University. He is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Chartered Institute Banking of Nigeria, Institute of Credit Administrators and has an ACCA Diploma in IFRS. He is an alumnus of the International Institute of Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland, has attended other training and seminars within and outside the country, provided technical support to some committees set up by CBN and has also been enlisted by the Chartered Institute of Bankers to provide technical support in Banking Practice and Credit Management and serve as examiner for Banking Principles and Practices.

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 specific focus of 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.