United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Oliver Alawuba as the Group Managing Director (GMD), and succeeds Kennedy Uzoka, who retired from this position effective yesterday.
Alawuba takes on his new position from August 1, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In his new capacity, he will oversee the entire Group’s banking operations across its 20 African country network and globally in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates.
He joined UBA in 1997, and has held a series of senior positions, including as the CEO of UBA Ghana, the CEO of UBA, Africa and most recently, as Group Deputy Managing Director.
Commenting on his appointment, UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, said: ‘I am very pleased to announce Oliver Alawuba as the new Group Managing Director of the UBA Group. Oliver has extensive experience in Nigeria and our African network and is well equipped to advance our pan-African and global strategy.
“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.”
On his part, Alawuba expressed commitment to his new role as GMD, 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 UBA Group equally announced other appointments, including, 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 24 years.
Other executive appointments are:
- Ms. Sola Yomi-Ajayi, Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking. She has been with the Group since 2004, and has considerable international experience, culminating in her appointment as CEO of UBA America.
- Ugochukwu Nwagodoh, Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management. He joined the Group from PwC in October 2004, and has held a series of significant roles in the areas of performance management, compliance, financial control and reporting.
- 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.
- Ms. Emem Usoro, Executive Director, North Bank. She joined the Group in 2011, and has served in a series of senior regional appointments across Nigeria, covering the retail, corporate and public sectors.
Oliver has extensive experience in Nigeria and our African network and is well equipped to advance our pan-African and global strategy.
Board retirement
The Board also announced the retirement of a number of Executive Directors aside from Uzoka, who have completed their tenor, and will continue to serve the broader Group upon regulatory approval of a holding company structure.
They include Uche Ike; Chukwuma Nweke; Ibrahim Puri; and Chiugo Ndubisi.
Also announced was the retirement of a Non-Executive Director, Ambassador Joe C. Keshi, who served as Vice Chairman of the Board. This takes effect from August 1, following the completion of 12 years tenure.
Elumelu congratulated the retiring Directors on the completion of their tenors and their exemplary records.
