UBA Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Appointments

United Bank for Africa Plc has announced changes in its executive leadership, with four long serving Executive Directors set to retire at the end of their tenure, while a new cohort of senior executives steps in from January 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

The bank disclosed that Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, alongside Executive Directors Abiola Bawuah, Alex Alozie and Sola Yomi Ajayi, will exit the Executive Board after years of service that spanned key phases of UBA’s expansion across Africa and other markets.

In a move that underscores its emphasis on continuity and internal leadership renewal, the Board has approved the appointment of three new executive directors. Emmanuel Lamptey will oversee Digital Banking, Tosin Adewuyi will take charge of Corporate Banking, while Chidi Okpala will serve as Executive Director for UBA Nigeria.

Commenting on the changes, UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu said the appointments were a reflection of the bank’s succession planning philosophy and its focus on execution as it enters its next growth phase.

He expressed confidence that the incoming directors would deepen UBA’s competitive strengths, noting that they bring experience and leadership capacity required to build on the foundations laid by their predecessors.

Elumelu also acknowledged their role in shaping the bank’s trajectory, saying each of them made contributions to UBA’s growth and culture and would remain valued members of the UBA family and ambassadors of its values.

The incoming Executive Director for Digital Banking, Emmanuel Lamptey, brings over 25 years of experience cutting across retail and corporate banking, asset management, insurance, pensions and microfinance. His career spans operations in more than 30 African countries, with a strong reputation in digital transformation and customer experience delivery.

He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the United Kingdom and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana.

Tosin Adewuyi, appointed Executive Director for Corporate Banking, also brings more than 25 years of experience across Sub Saharan Africa, with over 15 years at senior management level in both London and Lagos. He has led engagements with corporate and sovereign clients and played key roles in structured trade finance, debt capital markets, correspondent banking and financial institutions coverage. Adewuyi is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, holds a degree in Economics and Accounting from the University of Manchester, and is an alumnus of the Wharton School.
Chidi Okpala, who will oversee UBA Nigeria, joins the bank with deep expertise in payments, financial innovation and corporate strategy. Before his appointment, he was Executive Director for Payments, Group Integration and Strategy at Heirs Holdings, where he oversaw technology driven investments across multiple sectors. With over 20 years of banking experience, Okpala holds degrees in Finance, Banking and Finance, and Leadership and Strategy, and is a Sloan Fellow of London Business School.

Beyond the board changes, UBA also announced additional group executive management appointments. Vikrant Bhansali has been named Group Executive for International Banking, following his tenure as chief executive officer of UBA in Dubai, where he led the bank’s Middle East operations.

He brings more than 25 years of international banking experience across Africa, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, North Africa and India.

Joel Owoade was appointed Group Chief Risk Officer, bringing over two decades of experience in credit risk management, regulatory compliance and strategic planning. He holds a master’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Ibadan and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

Samuel Ocheho also joins the top management team as Group Executive for Treasury and Financial Institutions. With over 27 years of experience in banking, trading and investment management, he has led treasury operations across Nigeria and West Africa, with expertise in liquidity management, fixed income, derivatives and foreign exchange.