Union Bank names Abubakar, former women’s minister, independent director
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Aisha Abubakar, the immediate past Nigerian minister for women affairs and social development under the present administration, from 2018 to 2019, has been named an independent non-executive director to the board of Union Bank of Nigeria following the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a filing to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has shown, advising that that the appointment took effect from September 9, 2021.
The bank said the appointment of the former minister of women affairs, who had functioned as minister of state for industry, trade and investment between 2015 and 2018, will see her bring her years of robust experience with the pursuit to steer the bank towards delivering its strategic objectives.
Beatrice Hamza Bassey, chairman, Union Bank, commenting, said: “On behalf of the board of directors, I welcome Aisha Abubakar to the board. She brings many years of robust experience which will be invaluable in supporting our efforts to steer the bank forward and deliver on our strategic objectives.”
Emeka Okonkwo, chief executive officer, Union Bank of Nigeria, also commenting, said: “I am pleased to welcome our new independent non-executive director, Aisha Abubakar, to the board. We look forward to drawing from her wealth of experience and fresh perspectives as we continue to execute our vision to be Nigeria’s most reliable and trusted partner.”
Meanwhile, prior to joining the newly constituted board of directors and executive management, Abubakar had served at various times at Continental Merchant Bank Ltd., African Development Bank and African International Bank, respectively at the start of her career. She is an accomplished public sector administrator with over three decades of professional experience in public service and pension administration, investment banking, SME finance/rural enterprise development and micro-credit administration.
The former minister is also a fellow of the International Professional Managers Association (IPMA-UK), and the President of the International Experts Consultants (IEC-UK).