UBA Announces New Executive Appointments and Retirements for 2026

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced a reshuffle of its Executive Board, marking the retirement of four long-serving directors and the appointment of three new executives, effective January 1, 2026, pending regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The retiring directors are Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Muyiwa Akinyemi, and Executive Directors, Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, Mr. Alex Alozie, and Mrs. Sola Yomi-Ajayi. UBA acknowledged their significant contributions to the bank’s growth and success, describing them as “cherished members” and “enduring ambassadors” of its values.

Taking their places are Mr. Emmanuel Lamptey, appointed Executive Director, Digital Banking; Mr. Tosin Adewuyi, as Executive Director, Corporate Banking; and Mr. Chidi Okpala, stepping into the role of Executive Director, UBA Nigeria.

Mr. Lamptey brings a wealth of 25 years’ experience in multinational banking, covering areas such as retail and corporate banking, asset management, and pensions. The bank highlighted his proven leadership in digital transformation and customer experience. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, as well as a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK).

Mr. Adewuyi, according to UBA, possesses over 25 years of experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, including 15 years in senior management roles in London and Lagos, approved by both the FCA and the CBN. His expertise spans structured trade finance, investment banking and debt capital markets. He is a Fellow of the FCCA and an alumnus of The Wharton School.

Mr. Okpala joins UBA from Heirs Holdings, where he was Executive Director for Payments, Group Integration and Strategy. UBA noted his experience in payments, financial innovation, and ecosystem development. He holds BSc, MBA and MSc degrees from London Business School.

Further executive changes include the appointments of Vikrant Bhansali as Group Executive, International Banking; Joel Owoade as Group Chief Risk Officer; and Samuel Ocheho as Group Executive, Treasury and Financial Institutions.

UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, expressed confidence in the new appointments. “The Board is confident that they will bring the experience, depth and execution capability needed to build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors and to propel UBA into its next phase of growth,” he stated.

UBA operates in 20 African countries, as well as the UK, US, France and UAE, serving over 50 million customers and employing 30,000 people across the group.

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