UBA Appoints First Female CEO Abiola Bawuah for Africa Operation

TheBoardofDirectorsoftheUnitedBank for Africa Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, today announces the appointment of Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of UBA Africa.Bawuah will also join the Group Board as an Executive Director, overseeing the Group’s operations across the African continent, outside Nigeria. UBA operates in 19 African countries beyond Nigeria, in addition to global operations in New York, London, Paris and the UAE. 

Bawuah,a Ghanaiannational,isthefirstfemaleCEO of UBA Africa. Her appointment further demonstrates UBA’s commitment to diversity. The UBA Group Board now includes eight female Directors. 

Prior to her appointment, Bawuah was Regional CEO, West Africa, supervising the Group’s operations in nine subsidiaries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia,Mali,Senegal,andSierraLeone.Shepreviouslyheldtherole of CEO, UBA Ghana. 

Speakingonthenewappointment,theGroupBoardChairmanMr Tony O. Elumelu said, “Abiola has contributed significantly to the growthofUBAAfricaforclose toadecade. She brings a wealth of experienceincommercialbanking,andstakeholderengagement. It also gives me great pleasurethatwithherappointment,theUBA Group Board has now become a majority female board.” 

TheUBAGroupalsoannouncedthefollowingexecutiveroles: 

Chris Ofikulu becomes the Regional CEO, UBA West Africa. Ofikulu, who has over two decadesofbankingexperiencespanningcorporate,commercial, and retail banking. 

Uzoechina Molokwu will take on the role as Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of UBA Ghana, subject to local regulatory approvals. He was previously the Executive Director, Business Development – UBA Côte d'Ivoire and has over 23 years banking experience. 

Ayokunle Olajubu will be the Managing Director/CEO UBA Liberia, subject to local regulatory approvals. He currently drives complianceacrossAfricasubsidiariesandcomeswith30years bankingexperienceinNigeria andotherAfricancountries,includingSierraLeone,CoteD’IvoireandtheGambia. 

Theresa Henshaw has been appointed as CEO of UBA UK, subjecttolocal regulatoryapprovals.Shewaspreviously theDMD, Business Development, UBA America and joined the Group as ED, Business Development at UBA UK. 

Usman Isiaka, currently CEO, UBA Sierra Leone, will be the Deputy CEO in UBA America, subject to local regulatory approvals. 

Adeyemi Adeleke, the former CEO of UBA, UK is now the Group Treasurer. Adeleke will be working to unlock the immense value in the Group’s multi-jurisdictional balance sheet, leveraging on its presence in 24 countries within and beyond Africa. 

In addition to the executive appointments, UBA has announced the retirement of High Chief Samuel Oni, an independent non-executive Director, from the Board following the expiration of his tenure. He joined the UBA Group in January 2015 and served on the Board of the Group for eight years. 

The Group ChairmanMrElumeluexpressedhisappreciationtoHigh ChiefOni,for his commitment,leadershipandextensivecontributionstotheUBA Groupandonbehalf of the Board,wishes him the very best in all his future endeavours.