By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
Africa’s Global bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has reaffirmed its leadership position in fostering economic growth and empowerment, clinching four major awards at the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Service Ambassador Awards, which took place over the weekend in Lagos.
The prestigious awards, recognises financial institutions driving impactful support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.
Accordingly, UBA emerged as a top performer, coming tops in the following categories:
- Deposit Money Bank (DMB) with the Highest Impact on MSMEs in Nigeria;
- DMB with the Highest Impact on Women MSMEs;
- Participating Financial Institution (PFI) with the Highest Impact in the North-Central Zone; and,
- the Prestigious Platinum Service Ambassador Award, the highest award of the night.
These accolades, the bank said in a statement, underscore UBA’s unwavering commitment to empowering businesses, advancing financial inclusion, and supporting women entrepreneurs and underserved communities across Nigeria.
UBA’s Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, who received the Platinum Service Ambassador Award on behalf of the bank, expressed his delight.
These awards are a testament to our strategic focus on providing accessible financing, capacity building, and innovative solutions that enable small businesses to thrive.
He was quoted as saying: “We are deeply honoured to be recognised by the Development Bank of Nigeria for our efforts in driving sustainable growth and empowerment for MSMEs, particularly women-led businesses and enterprises in the North-Central region.
“These awards are a testament to our strategic focus on providing accessible financing, capacity building, and innovative solutions that enable small businesses to thrive. We remain committed to fostering economic resilience and prosperity across Nigeria.”
Speaking, Managing Director/CEO, DBN, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, commended UBA’s outstanding contributions, saying:
“UBA has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to alleviating financing constraints faced by MSMEs in Nigeria.
“Their impactful interventions, especially in supporting women entrepreneurs and underserved regions, align perfectly with DBN’s mandate. We celebrate UBA’s achievements and encourage them to continue setting benchmarks in MSME financing.”
The DBN Service Ambassador Awards is an annual event that celebrates financial institutions and partners driving transformative change in Nigeria’s MSME sector.
DBN, established to address financing challenges for small businesses, collaborates with banks like UBA to enhance access to credit and business support services.
UBA’s recognition at the awards further solidifies its position as a leading force in Nigeria’s financial sector, reinforcing its mission to empower businesses and communities through innovative banking solutions.
United Bank for Africa is Africa’s Global Bank. Operating across 20 African countries, 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.
