Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has inducted more than 700 young professionals into its workforce through the Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP), a flagship initiative aimed at grooming the next generation of African business leaders.
Since its inception three years ago, the GMAP has produced over 4,000 skilled professionals across the banking and finance industry, providing them with mentorship, leadership training, and real-world experience designed to shape Africa’s future corporate landscape.
Speaking at the 2025 GMAP graduation ceremony held at the Landmark Events Centre in Lagos, UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, urged the new entrants to uphold the bank’s core values of excellence, integrity, and service. He described the graduates as “lions and lionesses,” symbolizing strength, ambition, and resilience, while reaffirming UBA’s commitment to empowering Africa’s youth.
“We are happy to have you as part of this tribe,” Elumelu said. “I started just like you, and I am proud that UBA continues to provide opportunities for young Africans to grow. Remember your purpose and stay driven — we must show the world that African institutions can be globally respected.”
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Representing the Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, Deputy GMD Chukwuma Nweke congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to become innovators and ambassadors of UBA’s global vision. He emphasized that they were joining a dynamic workforce of more than 30,000 employees operating across 20 African countries and several international financial hubs.
Several graduates shared their experiences, describing the programme as both challenging and transformative.
The UBA Graduate Management Accelerated Programme remains one of the continent’s leading youth development pipelines, reaffirming the bank’s long-term commitment to nurturing homegrown talent capable of driving sustainable economic growth across Africa and beyond.
