United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced sweeping changes to its Executive Board, marking one of the most significant leadership transitions in the Group’s recent history.
The changes follow the completion of tenure by four long serving Executive Directors, with the retirements set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The move reflects a carefully structured succession plan designed to position Africa’s global bank for its next phase of growth.
The retiring executives are Deputy Managing Director Mr Muyiwa Akinyemi, alongside Executive Directors Mrs Abiola Bawuah, Mr Alex Alozie, and Mrs Sola Yomi-Ajayi. Collectively, they have played central roles in strengthening UBA’s footprint across Africa and beyond, contributing to the bank’s operational scale, governance standards, and strategic expansion.
UBA’s Board explained that the changes align with its long standing leadership development framework, which prioritises internal capacity building and continuity. In line with this strategy, the Board has approved the appointment of three new Executive Directors, subject to regulatory approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The incoming executives are Mr Emmanuel Lamptey, appointed Executive Director for Digital Banking, Mr Tosin Adewuyi, Executive Director for Corporate Banking, and Mr Chidi Okpala, who will serve as Executive Director for UBA Nigeria. Their appointments will also take effect on January 1, 2026, signalling a seamless transition from outgoing leadership to a new generation of executives.
Emmanuel Lamptey to Drive Digital Banking Transformation
Mr Emmanuel Lamptey joins the Executive Board with over 25 years of multinational and cross functional experience spanning retail and corporate banking, asset management, pensions, insurance, and microfinance. His career has seen him operate across more than 30 African countries, giving him a deep understanding of diverse financial markets and customer needs.
A recognised leader in digital transformation and customer experience enhancement, Mr Lamptey has held several executive and non executive board roles within and outside the financial services sector. His academic background includes executive education at Harvard Business School, fellowship with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. His appointment underscores UBA’s commitment to technology driven banking and financial inclusion.
Tosin Adewuyi Strengthens Corporate Banking Leadership
Mr Tosin Adewuyi brings more than 25 years of experience across Sub Saharan Africa, Europe, and international financial markets. With over 15 years spent in senior management roles approved by both the FCA and the CBN, he has led high value client engagements across corporate and sovereign portfolios.
His expertise spans structured trade finance, corporate and investment banking, debt capital markets, financial institutions coverage, and correspondent banking. Mr Adewuyi is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, holds a BA in Economics and Accounting from the University of Manchester, and is an alumnus of The Wharton School. His appointment is expected to strengthen UBA’s corporate banking franchise and deepen relationships with large enterprises and institutions.
Chidi Okpala Takes Charge of UBA Nigeria Operations
Mr Chidi Okpala joins the Executive Board after serving as Executive Director for Payments, Group Integration and Strategy at Heirs Holdings. In that role, he led payments businesses and oversaw strategic investments in technology and healthcare, driving scalable platforms across Africa.
With over 20 years of banking experience, Mr Okpala brings strong expertise in payments innovation, ecosystem development, and corporate strategy. He holds a BSc in Finance, an MBA in Banking and Finance, and an MSc in Leadership and Strategy from London Business School, where he is a Sloan Fellow. His appointment is expected to further strengthen UBA’s domestic operations and innovation agenda in Nigeria.
Tony Elumelu Commends Retiring Directors and New Appointments
Commenting on the changes, UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu congratulated the incoming Executive Directors and expressed confidence in their ability to build on the achievements of their predecessors. He noted that the Board is confident the new executives will bring the experience, depth, and execution capability needed to propel UBA into its next phase of growth.
Mr Elumelu also paid tribute to the retiring Executive Directors, thanking them for their years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment. He described them as cherished members of the UBA family whose impact and contributions will continue to resonate across the Group.
Beyond the Executive Board changes, UBA also announced key Group Executive Management appointments. Mr Vikrant Bhansali has been named Group Executive for International Banking, bringing over 25 years of international banking experience across Africa, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, North Africa, and India. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of UBA in Dubai, where he led the bank’s Middle East expansion.
Mr Joel Owoade has been appointed Group Chief Risk Officer, bringing more than two decades of experience in credit risk management, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning. Meanwhile, Mr Samuel Ocheho takes on the role of Group Executive for Treasury and Financial Institutions, leveraging over 27 years of experience in financial markets, liquidity management, and investment leadership across West Africa.
With operations in 20 African countries and a presence in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates, UBA continues to strengthen its position as Africa’s global bank. Employing over 30,000 people and serving more than 50 million customers worldwide, the bank’s leadership refresh signals a clear focus on sustainability, innovation, and long term growth.
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