Joy Agwunobi
L-R: Shamsideen Fashola; group head, retail and digital banking, United Bank for Africa (UBA); Tony Okpanachi, managing director/CEO, Development Bank of Nigeria; Muyiwa Akinyemi; group deputy managing director, UBA; and BabatundeAjayi, group head, SME banking, UBA; at the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Service Ambassador Awards, held at the weekend in Lagos.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has demonstrated its leadership in driving economic development and financial inclusion, emerging as the top-performing financial institution at the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Service Ambassador Awards.
The award ceremony, held recently in Lagos, celebrated institutions that have played pivotal roles in transforming Nigeria’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) landscape.
The DBN Service Ambassador Awards is a prestigious annual event that recognises financial institutions and stakeholders championing inclusive growth through support for MSMEs. UBA’s exceptional performance earned it four major accolades, cementing its reputation as a key player in empowering small businesses across the country.
The Bank received recognition in the following categories: DBM with the Highest Impact on MSMEs in Nigeria; DBM with the Highest Impact on Women-Owned MSMEs; Participating Financial Institution (PFI) with the Highest Impact in the North-Central Zone and the Platinum Service Ambassador Award – the highest honour of the evening
These awards highlight UBA’s consistent efforts in bridging financing gaps, supporting gender inclusion, and reaching underserved communities with impactful financial services. The bank’s emphasis on accessibility, innovation, and strategic partnerships has positioned it as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth and economic resilience across Nigeria.
Commenting on the recognition, Muyiwa Akinyemi, deputy managing director of UBA, expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting the bank’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainable development.
“We are truly honoured to be recognised by the Development Bank of Nigeria for our strategic contributions to MSME development, especially in empowering women-led enterprises. These awards affirm the results of our efforts to provide inclusive financing, capacity-building initiatives, and tailored solutions that enable small businesses to thrive,” Akinyemi stated.
He further emphasised UBA’s long-term commitment to fostering inclusive growth and economic stability through innovative banking solutions that support entrepreneurs at the grassroots level.
In his remarks, Tony Okpanachi,managing director/CEO of DBN, lauded UBA’s performance and dedication, describing the bank as a benchmark for excellence in MSME financing.
“UBA has continually demonstrated remarkable commitment to easing the financial burdens of MSMEs in Nigeria. Their support, especially for women entrepreneurs and in underserved regions, aligns with DBN’s mission of inclusive economic growth. We commend their achievements and urge them to continue setting new standards in developmental financing,” Okpanachi said.
As a pan-African financial institution, UBA is widely recognised as Africa’s Global Bank, operating in 20 African countries and extending its footprint to key international financial hubs, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. The bank offers a broad spectrum of services across retail, commercial, and institutional banking, leveraging technology to enhance customer experience and financial accessibility.
With a workforce of over 25,000 and a customer base exceeding 45 million globally, UBA continues to lead conversations around financial inclusion, digital transformation, and socio-economic empowerment across Africa.
