A total of 1,138 young professionals have graduated from the United Bank for Africa’s (UBA) Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP).
The young professionals were celebrated during a graduation ceremony held on Wednesday in Victoria Island Lagos after a six-month training programme.
With Wednesday’s event involving candidates selected from across UBA’s African markets, which includes Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia, and Kenya, the bank now graduated 3,222 individuals through its GMAP.
The latest batch join the previous cohorts in 2023 (700 graduates) and 2024 (398 graduates) who are now ready to be deployed across various departments like Sales, Credit Analysis, Group Finance, and Treasury, among others, to enhance operational efficiency and drive the bank’s strategic growth initiatives.
Speaking at the ceremony, UBA’s Group Chairman, Mr Tony Elumelu, congratulated the new entrants whom he referred to as his newest colleagues.
“The six-month intensive training would shape the participants’ worldview and equip them with the skills to drive innovation in the banking and financial services sector.”- He said.
Elumelu, who turned the occasion into an interactive session, addressed the graduands’ questions and concerns while also noting their suggestions.
He elaborated on UBA’s vision and commitment to youth empowerment across Nigeria and Africa, emphasising the importance of hard work and resilience as essential leadership qualities for career growth.
Elumelu highlighted infrastructure deficits, inadequate power supply, and insecurity as key challenges that must be tackled for the continent’s rapid development.
Sharing insights from his personal and professional journey, he spoke about overcoming career and family challenges and advised new entrants on achieving a balanced approach to success.
He underscored the importance of a strong financial system for national growth, urging the new team to spearhead innovation in the sector. “We will remain competitive, but demand performance. We must keep reinventing. You must realise that the status quo is not an option,” he added.
Earlier, Mr Oliver Alawuba, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UBA, commended the graduands for their resilience and discipline in successfully completing the rigorous training. Alawuba expressed gratitude to their families and trainers for their support and encouraged the graduands to uphold UBA’s core values of excellence, enterprise, and execution, along with simplicity, responsiveness, and a goal-oriented mindset.
According to him, the GMAP programme reflects UBA’s commitment to equipping the brightest minds with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to navigate the evolving financial landscape and drive Africa’s economic transformation.
“Since inception, GMAP has successfully graduated 3,222 trainees across Cohorts 1 to 16, producing dynamic professionals, who are making significant contributions across various departments of the bank,”- he said.
The new GMAP cohort includes 666 women, representing 58% of the total graduates, highlighting UBA’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusion. Alawuba also outlined the many career growth opportunities available to GMAP alumni, noting that several former trainees had already risen to leadership positions within the bank.
“At the United Bank for Africa (UBA), we are more than a bank – we are an institution committed to transforming Africa,”- he stated.
Two GMAP alumni, Nneoma Chikere (2023), a Profit Centre Manager, and Gbolahan Adeyemi (2022), a Relationship Officer in the Corporate Banking Directorate, shared their success stories.
Both staff members, who have received multiple commendation letters and awards, encouraged the new entrants to be bold and innovative in their careers. Awards were presented to outstanding trainees, with Nancy Olikeze emerging as the overall best trainee.
Collins Chekuba secured second place, while Owumi Omagbemi and Olusaseyi Awofade took third and fourth places, respectively. Other award recipients in various categories included Yahaya Ham, Glory Ahmed, Fathait Yusuf, and Betty.
