By Omobayo Azeez
United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), on Monday, announced that Oliver Alawuba has been appointed as chief executive officer (CEO) of UBA Africa, overseeing the bank’s 20 African country operations, ex-Nigeria.
He succeeds Victor Osadolor, who retired from the group board, after nine years of service working at UBA.
UBA Africa serves over 19 million customers across the African continent, providing retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge products including the first ever banking chat both in Africa, LEO.
Alawuba has been with the financial institution for close to three decades, garnering experience in the banking industry and serving in various capacities.
He was once the CEO of UBA Ghana and rose to become Regional CEO, UBA Africa before returning to Nigeria to run UBA’s East Bank.
Under his leadership, UBA’s Nigerian East Bank division became the fastest growing regional bank in the Group.
The board further appointed Senegalese national, Abdoul-Aziz Dia as executive director for treasury and international banking, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Aziz becomes the first non-Nigerian group executive director of the Bank, bringing a wealth of multi geographical experience to the Group.
Dia will be responsible for UBA’s global network of operations in New York, London and Paris, together with Group Treasury, where UBA offers a sophisticated suite of products to multinationals, international institutions and African clients.
Chukwuma Nweke, currently the executive director, operations, was confirmed by the board as the group executive director, retail and payments, demonstrating the group’s commitment to its retail offering.
Chuks, as fondly called, has close to three decades of banking experience spanning Banking Operations, Finance, Technology, Audit and Strategy.
The Board also announced the appointment of Chiugo Ndubisi as group executive director and the group chief operating officer, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Chiugo is a professional with almost three decades of banking experience that includes the role of chief finance officer (CFO) and executive director on the board of a financial institution.
The management of the bank expressed optimism that his in-depth understanding of banking and finance industry dynamics will bring a lot of value to the Group Board of UBA.
Speaking on the appointments, group chairman Tony O. Elumelu, said “These appointments emphasise the Group’s commitment to our pan-African and global network, our huge retail client base and our operational infrastructure. We are focused on improving our efficiency and further strengthening our pan-African mission, using the extraordinary pool of talent and experience available in the Group.”
Elumelu thanked both outgoing deputy managing director/CEO, UBA Africa, Victor Osadolor, and the former regional CEO for UBA in East and Southern Africa, Emeke Iweriebor, who just retired from the board, for their contributions to the Bank.
HE said: “Victor and Emeke were key players during the merger of Standard Trust Bank and UBA and have been valuable contributors to the growth of the Bank. We wish them well.”
