UBA PLC celebrates 75 years of excellence, pledges more

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 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma

On Monday, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) celebrated 75 years of providing excellent financial services to customers across Africa and the rest of the world.

Under the theme of this celebration, the bank pledged to continue building up people, businesses, and communities in the countries where it operates.

During a global press conference at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, Group Managing Director Oliver Alawuba highlighted that UBA began operations in 1949 on Kakawa Street, Lagos Island, as the British and French Bank.

He emphasized that the bank’s milestone is not just a celebration of longevity but also a testament to the resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence that have defined UBA’s journey over the decades.

Alawuba noted that since its inception, the bank has evolved from a modest beginning in Lagos Island to a global financial institution with a presence in 20 African countries and 4 global financial nerve centers, including New York, London, Paris, and Dubai.

“Today, we have over 25,000 staff, serve over 35 million customers through multiple channels, including over 350,000 POS terminals, 2,000 ATMs, 1,000 business offices, and 19.7 million card customers. The past 75 years have been marked by stability and excellence, pillars upon which UBA’s legacy stands tall,” he stated.

Alawuba also highlighted that UBA was the first bank in Nigeria to offer an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1970, the first Nigerian bank to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the first Nigerian bank to operate in the USA and London, the first to open a subsidiary in Africa, and the first to introduce mobile banking in Nigeria.

Despite economic challenges and market dynamics, UBA has demonstrated remarkable financial strength and resilience. Their outstanding performance is a testament to their robust fundamentals and sound strategic decisions.

He underscored that innovation and digital transformation are at the heart of the bank’s strategy for future growth and competitiveness.

UBA will continue to invest in innovative products, services, and digital platforms that enhance customer experience and drive operational efficiency. He noted that the bank’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is strong, with initiatives focused on education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability, making a concrete impact on communities across Africa.

“Looking ahead, our vision is clear: to be the role model for African businesses. UBA is one bank, uniting Africa while connecting Africans to the world and the world to Africa. Our primary focus is to be the payment bank for capital flows, trade, and investments between Africa and the rest of the world,” he said. He added that their three key pillars of service—People, Process, and Technology—are all geared towards delivering excellent customer experience, which is their promise.

Group Deputy Managing Director Muyiwa Akinyemi also spoke, noting that the anniversary is very dear to UBA staff as it marks their legacy and signifies their transformation journey from inception as the British & French Bank in 1949 to becoming Africa’s leading financial institution.

He highlighted that the bank now operates across four continents with a presence in 20 African countries, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and the UAE. Over the past 75 years, UBA has exemplified stability, reliability, and excellence in banking, achieving numerous milestones and positively impacting the communities they serve.

“Our commitment to exceptional customer experience and our financial strength and resilience over the years have been key to our success. Our robust performance, especially over the last couple of years, underscores our sound strategies and commitment to operational excellence,” he said.

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