Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) is 75years old. The financial institution held a Global Press Conference on Monday, May 20th, 2024 at its headquarters in Marina, Lagos to commemorate its 75th Anniversary.
The Managing Director, UBA Group Plc., Oliver Alawuba, lauded the Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu for his visionary push in 2005 and tutelage over the years. Awulaba said he doubt if UBA would be where it is today without Elumelu.
The GMD also used the opportunity to thank all customers of the bank around the globe, stating that their consistent support and patronage over the years have been amazing.
Alawuba, speaking at the Global Press Conference, reiterated the bank’s commitment to customers, emphasizing on the importance of the customers. According to him; “the three (3) key pillars of service (People, Process and Technology) are all geared towards the delivery of excellent customer experience, which is UBA promise.”
The GMD’s speech reads in full; “Good afternoon, dear distinguished guests, gentlemen of the Press, key stakeholders from around the world and my esteemed colleagues, both past and present.
It is with great pleasure and a profound sense of pride that we gather here today to commemorate a momentous occasion – the 75th anniversary of United Bank for Africa Plc. As a matter of record UBA commenced operations in 1949 on Kakawa St, Lagos Island as the British & French Bank. First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge and appreciate all our former Chairmen of Group and Subsidiary Boards, Board Members, Group and Subsidiary MD/CEOs, and staff in various capacities over the years.”
“As we honour our past leaders, we also commend our present and look forward to future leaders who will continue to raise the bar of banking in Africa and globally.
To this end, please join me in celebrating our current Group Chairman, Board Members, Executive Management and staff across all our subsidiaries.”
“Without your sacrifices, contributions, support, and guidance over the years, we would not be where we are today.
We appreciate and honour you because you built and nurtured the platform on which we are standing today. Our Group Chairman (Mr. Tony Elumelu, CFR) truly deserves special recognition and mention. Without his visionary push in 2005 and tutelage over the years, I doubt whether we would be where we are today. For these and more, we say a “BIG AND RESOUNDING THANK YOU” to him.
I will like to also take this opportunity to thank all customers of UBA around the globe. Your consistent support and patronage over the years have been amazing.”
“You meet several people, they will tell you that they are third or fourth generation of UBA customers in their families, that their grandparents and parents were customers of UBA and their children currently carry UBA ATM cards, enrolled on our mobile banking and LEO chat bot banking. This is the strength of UBA.”
“This milestone is not just a celebration of longevity, but a testament to resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence that have defined UBA’s journey over the decades.”
“As we reflect on the significance of this epoch-making event, it is important to acknowledge that UBA means different things to different people. For some, UBA is a trusted financial partner; for others, UBA is a beacon of stability and reliability, a development partner in various local communities as well as a catalyst for African development.”
“Since its inception in 1949, UBA 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 centres (New York, London, Paris and Dubai).”
“Today we have over 25,000 Staff, over 35 million customers served through multiple channels – over 350,000 POS terminals, 2,000 ATM terminals, 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. We take pride in being:
UBA was the first Bank in Nigeria to offer an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1970.
The first in Nigeria banking industry to be Listed on the NSE: UBA was the first Nigerian bank to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
The first Nigerian Bank in the USA and London: UBA was the first Nigerian bank to open a branch in the USA and London.
The first to install ATMs in Nigeria: UBA was the first bank in Nigeria to install Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
UBA was first to open a campus branch at the University of Lagos in Nigeria
UBA was the first Nigerian Bank to open a subsidiary in Africa (Ghana in 2005)
UBA appointed the first Female Board Chairperson in Nigeria
Mobile Banking in Nigeria was first introduced by UBA: UBA was a pioneer in introducing mobile banking in Nigeria.
UBA launched the first Multi-lingual Chatbot Banking in Nigeria: UBA introduced Leo, the first multi-lingual chatbot in Nigeria.
UBA is the first Nigerian Bank to launch the most successful Prepaid Cards across Africa.
