United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has inducted over 3,200 young professionals under its Graduate Management Acceleration Programme (GMAP), reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the next generation of banking and finance leaders across Africa.
Since its launch three years ago, GMAP has provided young graduates with mentorship, training, and hands-on experience, equipping them for leadership roles within the bank.
At a ceremony held on Wednesday at the Landmark Event Centre, UBA welcomed 1,138 successful graduates who had undergone months of intensive training.
The event was attended by UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu, Group Managing Director/CEO Oliver Alawuba, board members, executive management, faculty members, mentors and the graduates’ families and friends.
Elumelu expressed excitement over the new inductees, reaffirming UBA’s dedication to youth empowerment and bridging the unemployment gap in Africa.
“At UBA, we believe that Africa’s transformation is in the hands of young, dynamic, and ambitious professionals such as you,” he said.
“Through GMAP, we are not only shaping future leaders but also reinforcing our commitment to excellence and impact.
“To our graduands, remember that success is built on hard work, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning. The world is waiting for you to make your mark.”
Alawuba also lauded the graduates, emphasizing UBA’s focus on human capital development.
“This moment marks the beginning of a transformational journey that will shape your careers, your contributions to society, and Africa at large,” he said.
He highlighted UBA’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusion, noting that 666 of the 1,138 new inductees—representing 58%—are women.
“The GMAP is a testament to our vision of empowering the brightest minds with the skills, knowledge, and mind-set required to navigate the ever-evolving financial landscape,” he said.
Encouraging the graduates, he urged them to uphold UBA’s core values of Excellence, Enterprise, and Execution while embracing the bank’s persona of Simplicity, Responsiveness and Goal-oriented (SRG).
The ceremony featured inspiring testimonies from GMAP alumni who have made significant strides within the bank.
UBA, one of the largest employers in Africa’s financial sector, has a workforce of 25,000 employees and serves over 45 million customers globally.
The bank operates in 20 African countries as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, providing retail, commercial and institutional banking services while driving financial inclusion and innovation.
