UBA graduates 374 young professionals for Africa's banking future

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has welcomed 374 new professionals into its workforce. This event marked the end of Cohort 21 of its Graduate Management Accelerator Programme (GMAP), which is the bank's key talent development program.

The graduation ceremony took place at Landmark Events Centre in Lagos on Thursday, 20 August, 2025. The event celebrated graduates from Nigeria and other African countries where UBA operates.

The GMAP aims to prepare young professionals with the skills needed to succeed in the banking industry. So far, it has graduated over 5,000 young professionals, giving them mentorship, training, and practical experience to help boost their careers.

This cohort included 223 women and 151 men. They came from UBA operations in eight African countries. Among them, 345 graduates were from UBA Nigeria, while 29 came from subsidiaries in Guinea, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, and Côte d’Ivoire.

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, welcomed the graduates and emphasized the importance of customer service as the bank's unique strength. When asked how UBA could stand out as banking products become more similar due to technology, he highlighted that service is the one thing competitors cannot replicate.

“Products can be commoditised, but service never can, because there is always a differentiator in how you serve and how you create,” Elumelu said. “As everyone uses technology, the differentiator becomes how that technology is used to make our customers happy.”

Elumelu also said, “As future leaders of UBA, people like you give me confidence that if we hand over to your generation, UBA will be safe.” He encouraged the graduates to stay passionate and work hard while maintaining discipline and excellence in their careers.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, also congratulated the new graduates. He described the certificate they received as a commissioning, not an end. He urged them to uphold the bank's standards in every role they take on.

“You came from different countries, with different experiences and disciplines, but today you have graduated as one UBA family, united by one ambition, to build Africa’s future,” Alawuba said. “Your first posting may not be your preferred destination, but make it your platform and give it your best. No assignment is too small to reveal a great attitude, and no role is too modest for excellence.”

He encouraged them to learn quickly as the world changes. He also told them to treat trust as their most valuable asset and to turn potential into performance. He linked these ideas to the bank’s core values: excellence, enterprise, and execution.

The Graduate Management Accelerator Programme is UBA’s structured way for young graduates to enter the bank. It combines banking knowledge with hands-on training in areas like product design, trade finance, and customer experience. The program is part of UBA's broader commitment to developing talent, preparing a new generation of bankers to lead and support Africa’s growth.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest financial institutions in Africa, serving over 45 million customers worldwide. The bank operates in 20 African countries and has a presence in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. UBA offers retail, commercial, and institutional banking services while promoting financial inclusion through innovative technology and customer-focused solutions.