Oliver Alawuba

Oliver Alawuba, an accomplished banking professional, brings over 25 years of experience in various sectors including Corporate, Consumer, Institutional, and Commercial Banking. He currently serves as the Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA), a leading Pan- African financial institution. In this role, he oversees UBA’s global operations across Nigeria, 19 African countries, and international branches in the U.S., U.K., France, and UAE. Under his leadership, UBA continues to champion Africa’s renaissance, fostering growth and development across its markets, with a robust Balance Sheet exceeding N32 trillion and Deposit of over N26 trillion. The bank employs over 25,000 staff, serves more than 45 million customers, and offers industry-leading digital banking solutions, reinforcing its status as Africa’s Global Bank.

He was at various times, CEO Designate for UBA Côte d’Ivoire; CEO UBA Ghana; Regional CEO, Anglophone Countries; Executive Director, East Bank in Nigeria; Managing Director/CEO UBA Africa; and later Group Deputy Managing Director/CEO, UBA Africa covering Nigeria and other 19 Subsidiaries in Africa. During these periods, he worked with teams to structure landmark transactions and solutions that redefined most of these markets.

Beyond the corporate world, Oliver Alawuba is a humanitarian at heart. His deep sense of duty to society is reflected in his co-founding of the Eberechi Foundation, through which he has transformed the lives of countless individuals. Since its inception in 2005, the Foundation has supported over 300 students with University Scholarships, provided WAEC and GCE examination fees for over 1,500 indigent students, and empowered widows, orphans, and the elderly in his native community of Amaifeke, Orlu, Imo State. Alawuba’s philanthropic legacy also includes significant contributions to infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, solar-powered streetlights, and churches, bringing hope and progress to those who need it most.

His exemplary leadership extends far beyond UBA. Alawuba chairs the Body of Banks’ CEOs in Nigeria, an influential platform driving policy direction and industry standards for banking in the country. He also serves on numerous high-profile boards, including the Mastercard Advisory Board for the Middle East and Africa, and VISA’s Business Council for Central Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In each of these roles, he brings his deep expertise and unwavering commitment to shaping the future of the African financial ecosystem.

Oliver Alawuba’s stellar career has earned him many prestigious accolades, including the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award from the Federal Government of Nigeria. He is a 4th Degree Knight of St. Mulumba (KSM) of the Catholic Church, Orlu Diocese.

With an academic background that includes BSc and MSc degrees in Food Technology and MBA in Banking & Finance, alongside Executive Education from London Business School, INSEAD and Havard Business School, Alawuba is a scholar as much as he is a leader. Recently, the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja conferred an Honourary Doctorate (Honourary Causa) of Business Administration on him. This is in addition to the Honourary Doctorate degree in Banking and Finance (DBF) earlier conferred on him by the Imo State University, Owerri. He is a Fellow, Nigeria Institute of Management (FNIM), Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB) and a Member, Nigeria Institute of Directors (M. IoD), among others. His achievements stand as a beacon of what can be accomplished through hard work, vision, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence.

He is an exemplary figure whose leadership continues to inspire, whose compassion uplifts, and whose vision is driving the future of banking in Africa. He is proudly married to Professor Nkeiruka Oly-Alawuba, with whom he shares a beautiful family, embodying the values of service, integrity, and dedication both in his personal and professional life.

Oliver Alawuba is a man whose life’s work has touched millions, strengthened Africa’s economic foundation, and left an indelible mark on society.