United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has welcomed 700 young professionals into its workforce through the Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP), marking another milestone in the bank’s commitment to youth development across the continent.
The induction ceremony took place at Landmark Events Centre in Lagos on Sunday, bringing together graduates from Nigeria and various African nations where the pan-African bank maintains operations.
Group Chairman Tony Elumelu addressed the new inductees with characteristic enthusiasm, describing them as “lions and lionesses” poised to shape the continent’s future. He emphasised the bank’s faith in youth potential and its dedication to transferring knowledge and expertise to emerging professionals.
Elumelu challenged the graduates to bring innovative ideas that would fuel expansion both within UBA and throughout Africa, reinforcing the institution’s vision of developing transformative leaders for the continent.
Since launching over three years ago, GMAP has successfully trained more than 4,000 banking and finance professionals. The initiative focuses on providing participants with hands-on skills and real-world experience in the financial services industry.
According to Modupe Akindele, Head of Human Resources, the programme has attracted over 7,000 professionals to UBA since its inception. She described these individuals as future leaders who will advance the bank’s mission of creating value across Africa.
The programme employs a stringent selection methodology that includes aptitude assessments, simulations, and executive-level interviews. Candidates who successfully navigate this process undergo an intensive six-month training period combining classroom instruction with practical on-the-job experience before full integration into the bank’s operations.
Mrs. Akindele explained that GMAP was specifically designed to ensure sustainable leadership development and effective succession planning throughout UBA’s pan-African network.
Deputy Group Managing Director Chukwuma Nweke, representing Group Managing Director Oliver Alawuba, reaffirmed the institution’s ongoing commitment to investing in human capital development as a cornerstone of its growth strategy.
The ceremony was attended by board members, executive management, and programme faculty, underscoring the significance UBA places on nurturing the next generation of African financial professionals.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.