700 youths qualify from UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP)
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has once again reaffirmed its dedication to youth empowerment, leadership development, and talent cultivation with the successful advancement of 700 young professionals through its prestigious Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP). The milestone marks yet another bold step in UBA’s strategic investment in Africa’s next generation of innovators, visionaries, and leaders who will shape the continent’s financial and economic future.
The grand graduation ceremony, held on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at the Landmark Events Centre in Lagos, brought together a diverse mix of graduates from Nigeria and several other African countries where UBA operates. The atmosphere was electric with celebration and optimism as the young professionals, trained through months of intensive learning, were officially welcomed into the growing global “UBA Tribe.”
Present at the ceremony were key figures of the UBA Group, including Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR; Deputy Group Managing Director, Chukwuma Nweke; board members; executive management; and faculty representatives who have played pivotal roles in mentoring the participants. Their presence underscored the bank’s ongoing mission to build a culture of excellence and leadership continuity across its vast operations.
Launched over three years ago, the Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP) was conceived as a transformative career pathway for young graduates seeking to make a meaningful impact in the banking and finance industry. The programme combines mentorship, classroom instruction, fieldwork, and digital simulations designed to build technical expertise, leadership competence, and strategic thinking. To date, it has produced more than 4,000 highly skilled professionals, many of whom now hold key positions across UBA’s regional and global branches.
In his address, Tony Elumelu praised the graduates for their resilience and determination, describing them as “lions and lionesses”—a metaphor that reflects UBA’s ethos of courage, ambition, and excellence. “We are proud to have you join our UBA Tribe,” he said. “At UBA, we believe deeply in the transformative power of young people. This programme was designed to pass on the baton of knowledge, discipline, and experience to the next generation of leaders. A few decades ago, I was once in your shoes—young, eager, and ready to learn—and I’m proud that this institution continues to offer the same opportunity that shaped my own journey.”
Elumelu also emphasized that the initiative goes beyond career development, aligning with UBA’s broader vision of promoting socio-economic growth across Africa. He reiterated that the bank’s purpose extends beyond profit-making—it is about creating lasting value, driving innovation, and enabling prosperity within the communities it serves. “Our mission is not just to be a successful bank but to be relevant to the world around us. You, our young professionals, are the bridge between our legacy and Africa’s promising future,” he added.
Representing the Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, Deputy Managing Director Chukwuma Nweke applauded the new graduates for their perseverance and commitment throughout the rigorous six-month training programme. He described the ceremony as “a celebration of potential, perseverance, and purpose,” stressing that UBA’s investment in human capital development remains one of its strongest strategic priorities. “You are not just graduates—you are the future of this institution and the ambassadors of UBA’s enduring legacy. This programme embodies our belief that Africa’s destiny will not be shaped by chance but by bold, capable, and forward-thinking leaders like you,” Nweke said.
Nweke further elaborated on the structure of the GMAP, explaining that participants underwent a comprehensive blend of classroom learning, digital simulations, leadership labs, and mentorship from seasoned executives. This multidisciplinary approach ensured that graduates gained not only technical proficiency but also a deep understanding of customer experience, financial innovation, and the transformative role of technology in modern banking.
The newly inducted professionals were encouraged to take ownership of their careers and to serve as catalysts of change within UBA and beyond. They were urged to apply their training to advance the bank’s pillars of excellence—innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric growth. With this new cohort, UBA continues to strengthen its workforce of over 25,000 employees, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s largest and most inclusive employers in the financial services sector.
As a leading pan-African financial institution, United Bank for Africa Plc serves more than 45 million customers across 20 African countries, as well as in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates. Through its retail, commercial, and institutional banking services, UBA continues to champion financial inclusion, deploy cutting-edge digital technologies, and empower communities with opportunities for sustainable growth.
With initiatives like the Graduate Management Accelerated Programme, UBA is not only shaping the leaders of tomorrow but also ensuring that Africa’s youth remain at the forefront of innovation, economic transformation, and global relevance.
