UBA Refreshes Executive Leadership Ahead of Next Growth Phase
United Bank for Africa Plc has reshaped its executive leadership as four long-serving executive directors prepare to retire at the end of their tenure, while a new crop of senior executives is set to assume office from January 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
The bank disclosed that Deputy Managing Director Muyiwa Akinyemi, alongside Executive Directors Abiola Bawuah, Alex Alozie and Sola Yomi Ajayi, will exit the executive board after years of service that spanned critical stages of UBA’s expansion across Africa and other international markets.
In a move that highlights its focus on continuity and internal succession, the board approved the appointment of three new executive directors. Emmanuel Lamptey will oversee Digital Banking, Tosin Adewuyi will head Corporate Banking, while Chidi Okpala will serve as Executive Director, UBA Nigeria.
Commenting on the changes, UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, said the appointments reflect the bank’s long-standing succession planning philosophy and its renewed focus on execution as it enters a new growth phase.
He expressed confidence that the incoming executives would strengthen UBA’s competitive position, noting that they bring the depth of experience and leadership required to build on existing foundations.
Elumelu also paid tribute to the outgoing directors, acknowledging their contributions to the bank’s growth and culture, and said they would remain valued members of the UBA family and ambassadors of its core values.
Lamptey, the incoming Executive Director for Digital Banking, brings over 25 years of experience spanning retail and corporate banking, asset management, insurance, pensions and microfinance.
Adewuyi, who will oversee Corporate Banking, has more than 25 years of experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, including over 15 years at a senior management level in London and Lagos.
Okpala, appointed to lead UBA Nigeria, joins with strong expertise in payments, financial innovation and corporate strategy. Before his appointment, he served as Executive Director for Payments, Group Integration and Strategy at Heirs Holdings, where he led technology-driven investments across multiple sectors.
Beyond the board changes, UBA also announced key group executive management appointments. Vikrant Bhansali has been named Group Executive for International Banking, following his role as Chief Executive Officer of UBA Dubai, where he led the bank’s Middle East operations.
He brings more than 25 years of international banking experience across Africa, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, North Africa and India.
Joel Owoade was appointed Group Chief Risk Officer, bringing over two decades of experience in credit risk management, regulatory compliance and strategic planning, while Samuel Ocheho joins the leadership team as Group Executive for Treasury and Financial Institutions.
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