United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is reshaping its leadership bench as part of a planned transition at the top of the organisation. The bank has announced a series of executive board and senior management appointments, signalling continuity, deeper bench strength, and a clear focus on its next phase of growth across Africa and key global markets.
What happened
UBA confirmed that four long-serving Executive Directors (EDs) would retire upon the completion of their tenure on January 1, 2026. They include the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Muyiwa Akinyemi, alongside Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, Mr. Alex Alozie, and Mrs. Sola Yomi-Ajayi.
In line with its succession and leadership development framework, the Board approved the appointment of three new EDs, subject to regulatory approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The appointments take effect from January 1, 2026.
Mr. Emmanuel Lamptey was appointed ED, Digital Banking. Mr. Tosin Adewuyi will lead Corporate Banking, while Mr. Chidi Okpala assumes responsibility as ED, UBA Nigeria.
Group Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu, described the appointments as a natural progression anchored on continuity and execution strength.
He said the Board is confident the new EDs bring the experience, depth, and leadership capacity required to build on the strong foundation already in place and steer the Group into its next phase of expansion.
Elumelu also expressed appreciation to the retiring directors, noting that each played a defining role in UBA’s growth and institutional stability over the years, stating that they remain valued members of the UBA family.
Who the new Executive Directors are
Emmanuel Lamptey, Digital Banking
Lamptey brings over 25 years of cross-functional experience spanning retail and corporate banking, asset management, pensions, insurance, securities brokerage, and microfinance, with exposure across more than 30 African countries. He is widely recognised for driving digital transformation, operational excellence, and customer experience improvement.
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, Ghana.
Tosin Adewuyi, Corporate Banking
Adewuyi has more than 25 years of banking experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, including over 15 years in senior management roles approved by regulators in both London and Lagos. His background spans corporate and investment banking, structured trade finance, debt capital markets, correspondent banking, and financial institutions coverage.
He holds a BA in Economics and Accounting from the University of Manchester, is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and an alumnus of The Wharton School.
Chidi Okpala, UBA Nigeria
Okpala joins the Executive Board from Heirs Holdings, where he served as Executive Director for Payments, Group Integration, and Strategy. He led payments businesses across the Group while overseeing strategic investments in technology and healthcare.
With over 20 years of banking experience, Okpala brings strong expertise in payments, financial innovation, corporate strategy, and ecosystem development. He holds a BSc in Finance, an MBA in Banking and Finance, and an MSc in Leadership and Strategy from London Business School, where he is a Sloan Fellow.
Other key group appointments
Beyond the Board changes, UBA also announced several senior group executive appointments.
Mr. Vikrant Bhansali has been appointed Group Executive, International Banking. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc in Dubai, where he led the bank’s Middle East operations and regional expansion strategy. Bhansali brings over 25 years of international banking experience across Africa, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, North Africa, and India.
Mr. Joel Owoade was named Group Chief Risk Officer. With more than two decades of experience in credit risk management, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning, Owoade 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. He also serves as Vice President of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria.
Mr. Samuel Ocheho has been appointed Group Executive, Treasury and Financial Institutions. He brings over 27 years of experience in banking, trading, and investment management, with deep expertise in liquidity management, foreign exchange, fixed income, and derivatives across Nigeria and West Africa.
What it means
The leadership changes reinforce UBA’s emphasis on structured succession, digital banking growth, risk discipline, and cross-border expansion. With operations in 20 African countries and a presence in the United Kingdom, United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates, the bank is positioning itself to sustain scale while strengthening execution at both group and country levels.
For investors and stakeholders, the appointments signal continuity rather than disruption, with leadership depth aligned to UBA’s long-term strategy in financial inclusion, technology-led banking, and international growth.
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