United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has marked a significant milestone, celebrating 75 years of operations in Africa.
The bank, which commenced operations in 1949 as the British & French Bank, has evolved into a global financial institution with a presence in 20 African countries and 4 global financial nerve centres.
As Africa’s largest bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) has a rich history that spans 75 years. From its humble beginnings in Lagos, Nigeria, to its current status as a global financial institution, UBA has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and innovation.
In a speech at the anniversary celebration, Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, acknowledged the contributions of past leaders, staff, and customers, saying: “We honor our past leaders, who built and nurtured the platform on which we stand today. We appreciate our present leaders, who continue to raise the bar of banking in Africa and globally. And we look forward to future leaders, who will continue to drive innovation and excellence.”
Alawuba highlighted UBA’s achievements, including being the first Nigerian bank to offer an Initial Public Offering (IPO), list on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), open a branch in the USA and London, install ATMs, and introduce mobile banking in Nigeria. He also emphasized the bank’s commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and corporate social responsibility.
The bank’s vision, according to Alawuba, is to be a role model for African businesses, uniting Africa while connecting Africans to the world and the world to Africa. He reiterated UBA’s commitment to a customer-first philosophy, which is the bank’s primary business strategy.
In his welcome speech, Group Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi, emphasized UBA’s transformation journey, saying: “Today, we gather to announce a remarkable milestone in the transformation journey of United Bank for Africa Plc—our 75th Anniversary.”
Akinyemi highlighted UBA’s financial strength and resilience, commitment to exceptional customer experience, and robust performance, especially over the last couple of years. He also emphasized the bank’s commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and corporate social responsibility.
With its rich history, commitment to excellence, and vision for the future, UBA is well-positioned to continue playing a leading role in Africa’s financial sector. As the bank celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is clear that its legacy will endure for generations to come.
The anniversary celebration was attended by dignitaries, partners, shareholders, members of the press, colleagues, and valued customers.
