UBA brings in new board member, awaits CBN nod for financial report

United Bank for Africa Plc has named Ibrahim Puri as a Non-Executive Director of the bank, pending approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The news was shared in a regulatory filing signed by Bili Odum, the Group Company Secretary, on Thursday.

Tony Elumelu, the Group Chairman, spoke about the appointment. He said the board is sure that Mr Puri’s wide experience and good judgement will help boost the group’s growth.

“I congratulate Ibrahim Puri on his appointment as a Non-Executive Director. The Board is confident that his extensive experience, depth of expertise and sound judgement will further strengthen the Board and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and success of the Group,” Mr Elumelu said.

Puri is a well-known leader in financial services. He has over 35 years of experience in banking, fintech, telecommunications, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

He was once an Executive Director on UBA's board, retiring in 2022. He also sits on other boards as a Non-Executive Director, including Nigerian Breweries Plc and 9mobile, which is now called T2.

Puri has taken executive programs at Harvard University, the University of Oxford, and Euromoney London.

He holds a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance from Bayero University, Kano. His skills include structured finance, negotiation, board governance, and turnaround management.

UBA operates in 20 African countries, plus the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. The bank has also announced that its board approved the Group’s audited accounts and financial statements for the half-year that ended on 30 June 2026.

The Group mentioned in the regulatory filing that the half-year financial statements got approval at its board meeting on 13 August, but are still awaiting CBN approval before they can be published.

The bank added that it will inform the public as soon as it gets CBN approval for the financial statements.

“Consequently, the Bank’s closed period will continue to run until 24 hours after the 2026 Half-Year Audited Accounts and Financial Statements are released to the public,” the financial group said.

For Nigerian companies listed on the stock exchange, their financial year ends on 31 December. They must submit their H1 results from January to June to NGX by the half-year reporting deadline, following the rules set for banks.

UBA serves over 50 million customers worldwide, providing retail, commercial, and institutional banking services.