The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group has revealed plans to open a branch in Saudi Arabia and expand its footprint across Africa in 2025. This announcement was made by the Group Managing Director and CEO, Oliver Alawuba, during a dinner in Abuja on Wednesday, honoring the bank’s retired non-executive directors.
Alawuba shared that UBA employs over 25,000 people and serves more than 45 million customers across 24 countries. He acknowledged the contributions of the retirees, emphasizing that their efforts have helped shape UBA into the thriving institution it is today. “This is the UBA that will continue to thrive for generations,” he said, assuring customers that the bank remains committed to building a sustainable future.
He also disclosed that UBA’s Chairman, Tony Elumelu, recently visited Saudi Arabia and announced plans for the bank to establish a presence there in 2025. Additionally, the bank will continue to launch new subsidiaries across Africa to strengthen its presence on the continent.
During the dinner, Alawuba thanked the retirees for their dedication and hard work, calling the bank’s success a collective effort. UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu also spoke at the event, praising the retired directors for their selflessness and unwavering commitment to UBA’s success in Nigeria, Africa, and globally. He expressed gratitude to their families for the support they provided throughout their careers at the bank.
Retired director Kayode Fashola shared his personal experience, recalling how Elumelu entrusted him with significant responsibilities despite being a newcomer at the time. “To work with Elumelu, you must be committed, dedicated, and skilled. You must also be loyal. I was a stranger to him, and he appointed me Chairman of the General Purpose Committee. He never interfered with my work during the four years I held the position,” Fashola said.
