UBA Reshuffles Global Operations, Appoints Bawuah As CEO Africa

The United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has appointed Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, as the 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 Ghanaian national, is the first female CEO of UBA Africa.  Her appointment further demonstrates UBA’s commitment to diversity.  The UBA Group board now includes 8 female directors.

Prior to her appointment, Bawuah was the regional CEO, West Africa, supervising the group’s operations in nine subsidiaries, including;  Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. She previously held the role of CEO, UBA Ghana.

Speaking on the new appointment, the group board chairman, Mr Tony O. Elumelu, said: “Abiola has contributed significantly to the growth of UBA Africa for close to a decade.  She brings a wealth of experience in commercial banking, and stakeholder engagement.  It also gives me great pleasure that with her appointment, the UBA Group Board has now become a majority female board.”

The UBA Group also announced the appointment of Chris Ofikulu as the regional CEO, UBA West Africa.  Ofikulu has over two decades of banking experience spanning corporate, commercial, and retail banking.

In the new appointments, 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 compliance across Africa subsidiaries and comes with 30 years banking experience in Nigeria and other African countries, including Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire and the Gambia. 

Theresa Henshaw has been appointed as CEO of UBA UK, subject to local regulatory approvals. She was previously the DMD, 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 AfricIn addition to the executive appointments, UBA also 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 chairman, Mr Elumelu expressed his appreciation to High Chief Oni, for his commitment, leadership and extensive contributions to the UBA Group and on behalf of the Board, wishes him the very best in all his future endeavours.