Union Bank’s CEO Emeka Emuwa Retires After 8 Years, Board Appoints Executive Director, Emeka Okonkwo, as Successor

The Board of Union Bank Nigeria Plc announces today that, after eight
years leading the Bank, its Chief Executive Officer, Emeka Emuwa, has communicated his
decision to retire from the Bank and his role as CEO on March 31, 2021.
Emeka Emuwa joined Union Bank in November 2012, following a $500 million investment by
Union Global Partners, with a mandate to transform and restore one of Nigeria’s oldest
institutions back to its rightful position as a respected provider of financial services.
With his imminent departure, the Board has appointed Emeka Okonkwo, an Executive Director
currently leading the Bank‘s Corporate Banking business, to succeed him. The appointment
is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Commenting on his retirement, Emeka Emuwa said;
I have enjoyed the significant challenge of leading Union Bank over the last eight
years. I am extremely proud of the management team and what we have been able
to accomplish during my time as CEO. Today, we have a strong bank that is well
positioned to compete and deliver on its vision to be ‘Nigeria’s most trusted and
reliable partner.’ With a clear strategic direction, a growing and loyal customer base
and a strong brand, this is now the natural time for the next generation of leadership
to take Union Bank forward and deliver further value.
In over three decades of banking, my time at Union Bank has been one of the richest
experiences in a long and fulfilling career with a treasure of work and life lessons to
carry into the future. Together as a team, we scaled many hurdles and accomplished
significant feats and I would like to thank my Executive team, senior management
and every one of our employees for their integrity, support and hard work that have
brought Union Bank to where it is today.
I would also like to thank the Board for the opportunity to lead this storied institution
that has impacted generations of Nigerians for over a century and for supporting our
efforts and vision during my tenure.
As we begin the transition into a new era of leadership under Emeka Okonkwo, a
consummate professional with the right experience and values, I know that Union
Bank will continue on its path as a values driven organisation that is deeply
committed to our customers and the communities we serve.
Prior to joining Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa led a distinguished 25-year career at Citibank.
Following several senior roles in Nigeria and across Africa, he became the first Nigerian to
be named Country Officer and Managing Director of Citibank Nigeria.
On his retirement, Emeka Emuwa will also step down from the Board of Union Bank.
Union Bank’s Chair, Beatrice Hamza Bassey, said;
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Emeka Emuwa for leading Union Bank
during the last eight years. His exceptional contribution to the transformation of the
business produced excellent results and set a solid platform for growth.
The focus over the last eight years on technology transformation, digital innovation,
and development of diverse markets for our world class range of products, has seen
Union Bank well positioned to continue growing from its current position as a market
disruptor.
Amid a tough macroeconomic environment, Union Bank maintained steady
operational momentum under Emeka’s leadership which in 2020 culminated in the
first dividend payment to investors and shareholders in over ten years. His many
significant achievements, including providing steady stewardship during the
unprecedented challenges wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, lays a solid
springboard for the future. We wish him the very best and are grateful for his support
and commitment to ensure a successful transition over the next few months.
The Board is pleased to have Emeka Okonkwo as incoming CEO. Having been a
key contributor to the achievements of the Bank over the past seven years as an
Executive Director, Emeka Okonkwo is well suited to lead Union Bank’s next phase
of growth. The Board and I look forward to working with him to execute our strategy
and deliver value to all stakeholders in the years ahead.
Emeka Okonkwo is a seasoned banker with 30 years of experience. He joined Union Bank
in 2013 as an Executive Director to lead the Corporate Banking and Treasury business. As
the Bank embarked on its transformation, he was responsible for rebuilding the business
and strategically positioning Union Bank for success in the Corporate Banking space.
Mr. Okonkwo began his career at Citibank Nigeria where he rose from officer level to
become Executive Director in charge of Commercial Banking and Global Subsidiaries in
2009. At Citibank, he worked across various disciplines including Corporate Finance, Credit
Risk Management, Marketing, Treasury and Strategic Management in Nigeria and London.
Prior to joining Union Bank, he was the Head of the Corporate and Investment Banking
Division in Citibank Bangladesh.
Emeka Okonkwo has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka; an MSc in Construction Management from the University of Lagos and an MBA
from Warwick Business School, UK