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United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has appointed Emmanuel Nnorom as its next Group Chairman, succeeding Tony Elumelu, whose retirement takes effect on August 21, 2026, after completing the maximum tenure allowed for non-executive directors under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate governance guidelines.
Here are 11 key facts about the incoming UBA chairman:
- Over 40 years of experience: Nnorom has more than four decades of experience in banking, finance, auditing, operations and corporate governance.
- Long career at UBA: Before joining UBA’s Board as a Non-Executive Director in 2024, he spent over eight years in executive leadership, serving as Group Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director (Finance), Executive Director (Risk), Executive Director (Group Executive Office), and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Africa.
- Led UBA Africa: As Managing Director/CEO of UBA Africa in 2013, he supervised the bank’s operations across several African countries, helping to strengthen its continental footprint.
- Heads Heirs Holdings: Since June 2017, Nnorom has served as Group Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Holdings, overseeing investments across financial services, power, healthcare, hospitality, real estate, energy and technology.
- Former Transcorp CEO: Between September 2014 and May 2017, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp), leading its businesses in power, hospitality, agriculture and energy.
- Former Heirs Holdings President/COO: Before leading Transcorp, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Heirs Holdings, where he helped drive the company’s investment strategy.
- Worked at several banks: His banking career includes senior management positions at Standard Trust Bank (now UBA), Diamond Bank, NUB International Bank and Liberty Merchant Bank, with responsibilities spanning finance, operations, risk management, planning, IT, human resources and regulatory affairs.
- Professional qualifications: Nnorom is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
- Oxford-trained executive: He completed executive leadership and management programmes at Templeton College, Oxford.
- Born in 1958: Born Emmanuel Nwabuikwu “Emma” Nnorom on April 7, 1958, he is widely recognised as one of Nigeria’s most experienced corporate executives.
- Assumes office in August: Nnorom will officially take over as UBA Group Chairman on August 21, 2026, providing strategic leadership to the bank’s board as it continues to expand across Africa and global markets.
