by Nurat Uthman
The United Bank for Africa Group has announced plans to open a branch in Saudi Arabia and expand its presence across Africa in 2025.
This was disclosed by the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, during a send-forth dinner held in honour of the bank’s retired non-executive directors in Abuja on Wednesday night.
Alawuba also revealed that the bank employs over 25,000 staff and serves more than 45 million customers across 24 countries.
He said, “The UBA, which has over 25,000 staff and serves more than 45 million customers across 24 countries, is the legacy you have contributed to. That is the UBA that will continue to thrive for generations.”
He assured customers that UBA remains steadfast in its mission to build a sustainable institution.
“Our chairman was in Saudi Arabia recently and announced that UBA will establish its presence there next year. We will also launch additional African subsidiaries, ensuring that the bank grows from strength to strength,” he added
Alawuba described the bank’s success as a collective effort and expressed gratitude to the retirees for their contributions.
Speaking at the event, UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu praised the retired directors and their families for their dedication and sacrifices.
“At UBA, we are more than just a bank; we are a family. These individuals have been selfless, ultra-dedicated, and instrumental to the success we have achieved in Nigeria, Africa, and globally. We owe a debt of gratitude to their families for the support they provided,” Elumelu said.
One of the retirees, Kayode Fashola, recalled how he joined UBA and expressed his appreciation to Elumelu for trusting him with critical positions despite initially being a stranger.
He said, “To work with Elumelu, you must be committed, dedicated, and skilled. You must also be loyal. He is someone who entrusts everything to someone he doesn’t know. I was a stranger to him, and he appointed me as the Chairman of the General Purpose Committee. I held that position for four years, and he never once interfered with my work.”
