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At UBA’s 60th AGM, Elumelu Upholds Commitment to Exceed Growth Trajectory, Create Value for Shareholders
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has assured shareholders and investors of its unwavering commitment to sustain its current growth trajectory even as its efforts at business diversification across Africa and beyond continues to yield increasing returns.
The Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, who made this declaration at UBA’s 60th Annual General Meeting, which was held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Thursday April 7, 2022, noted that the bank’s strategic investment decisions over the past few years have indeed translated to huge returns for its investors, despite the challenging business environment witnessed in the last two years.
“I am proud of how as a Group, we have been able to further consolidate on the new capabilities we have built, novel customer solutions we have deployed, efficiency gains recorded and the growth prospects we have leveraged from a recovering world,” Elumelu stated, adding “These were the building blocks for the very strong financial performance and the growth delivered by your Group in 2021, further confirming the wisdom of the investments we made and the strategy we have pursued, to ensure the diversification and sustainability of our business model.”
Whilst expressing his delight to shareholders and customers who have stood with UBA for almost eight decades, Elumelu remained confident of the bank’s capacity to sustain this momentum especially as economic activities recover from the impact of the Covid -19 pandemic.
“Our goal is to continue to build strong brand loyalty with our customers and create additional value for our shareholders, whose underlying support has positioned UBA for continued growth,” the Chairman noted.
UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Uzoka, who went into details about the improved performance of the bank’s subsidiaries in the financial year under consideration, said, “We are happy that the global community recognises the role our Group is playing in the transformation of the African economic landscape through innovative and customer focused banking services.”
He pointed out that the bank’s business in the United Kingdom had specifically witnessed remarkable expansion, adding “As from July 2021, UBA UK started making profit, and even to date, they are still doing well, and the same can be said for many of our African subsidiaries. The truth is that we are driven by the opportunities and potential in each of the geographies that we invested in, and we are happy with what we have achieved so far’.
Shareholders who spoke at the meeting including Sir Sunny Nwosu, Alhaji Farouk Umar, Mr. Nonah Awoh, Mr. Patrick Ajuda, Mrs. Bisi Bakare and Chief Timothy Adesiyan, were unanimous in their commendation of the board and management of UBA, for the impressive financials which have translated to higher dividends for shareholders.
“Despite the economic situation UBA has been able to grow profitability and increase its customer base. If you compare the dividend with the share price of UBA, you will see that our dividend yield is very high. No bank in Nigeria has been able to achieve this, and I therefore commend the UBA board,” Umar noted in his remarks.
At the end of the 2021 financial year, UBA’s Profit Before Tax was impressive with a 20.3 percent growth to N153.1 billion, compared to N127.3 billion at the end of the 2020 financial year; while Profit After Tax rose grew by 8.7 percent to N118.7 billion in 2021, compared to N109.2 billion recorded the previous year. As a result, the Bank proposed a final dividend of 80 kobo for every ordinary share of 50 kobo for the financial year ended December 31, 2021, bringing the total dividend for the year to N1.00 as the Bank had earlier paid an interim dividend of 20kobo.
United Bank for Africa Plc is Africa’s global bank, offering banking services to more than twenty seven million customers, across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With a presence in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France and its more recent operating license in the United Arab Emirates, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade finance and ancillary banking services.
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BANKING ON HER TOMORROW: ZENITH BANK EMPOWERS 300 GIRLS WITH EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE
Zenith Bank Plc has launched the maiden edition of its Girl-Child Empowerment Programme, themed “Banking on Her Tomorrow,” bringing together 300 schoolgirls aged 13 to 17 from selected schools across Lagos for a day of learning, mentorship and personal development.
Held on Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, the programme featured sessions on finance and investment, etiquette and personal development, social media ethics, and social relationships and interactions, equipping participants with practical knowledge and skills for their personal, educational and future career journeys.
The initiative, a brainchild of the Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, reflects Zenith Bank’s commitment to nurturing the potential of young girls and helping them make informed choices about their futures.
In her welcome address, Dame (Dr.) Umeoji urged the participants to believe in their abilities, pursue their ambitions and remain focused and disciplined. Drawing on examples of young girls who have achieved remarkable feats, she challenged them to look beyond their present circumstances and envision the women they aspire to become.
“To all my amazing young ladies here today, each of you possesses gifts, talents, and ideas that are capable of revolutionising the world. You can revolutionise the world with your ideas,” she said.
The GMD/CEO further encouraged the girls to explore their interests and resist societal limitations, stressing the importance of taking ownership of their futures.
“Never allow gender or age to limit your goals. Whatever interests you today, explore it. Whatever you choose to pursue in life, give it your best shot,” she said.
Delivering the keynote address, Her Majesty, Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, encouraged the girls to embrace their identities, develop resilience and use their abilities to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Using the mangrove tree as a metaphor for resilience, she reminded the participants that challenges need not define their futures and that their worth extends beyond academic results and external expectations.
“Every time you affirm the truth about who you are, you are building confidence. Every time the tide of life goes out and you are still standing, you are building resilience. And every time you use your gifts for another person, you are discovering your purpose,” Olori Atuwatse III said.
The programme featured interactive sessions led by accomplished professionals and personalities:
Ayanime Edem, founder of The Elite Finishing School and modern etiquette educator, discussed confidence, communication, self-presentation and etiquette.
Nigerian actress and content creator Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori, popularly known as Kie Kie, addressed responsible social media use, authenticity and digital boundaries.
Representing Zenith Bank, Thelma Okonye and Adesola Adeyemo introduced the girls to saving, responsible money management and investment, highlighting the importance of developing sound financial habits early.
While Nigerian filmmaker, creative executive and educator,Praise Onyeagwalam, Director Pink, led a session on healthy relationships, self-awareness and effective communication.
The sessions encouraged active participation, giving the girls opportunities to ask questions and engage with the speakers on issues relevant to their experiences and aspirations.
The programme also featured competitions, with cash prizes totalling over ₦1 million awarded to winners. The participants received books to encourage reading and personal growth, while musical performances by Nigerian singers Qing Madi and No. 11 added to the lively atmosphere. The event was hosted by Temi Badru, public speaker, communications coach and lawyer, with Darasimi Destiny Nadi serving as mini host.
Delivering the closing remarks, Executive Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Mrs. Adobi Nwapa, highlighted the GMD/CEO’s vision for the initiative and the Bank’s commitment to sustaining its impact.
“The programme is the vision of our GMD/CEO, who conceived and championed it, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the empowerment of the girl child. Through her leadership, she has shown the girls what is possible when a woman dares to lead. At Zenith Bank, our commitment to the girl child extends beyond today, and we will continue to nurture their aspirations through this annual initiative,” she said.
Dr. Nwapa thanked the speakers and participants for contributing to the programme’s success and encouraged the girls to apply the lessons learnt, remain confident and pursue their aspirations with determination.
The initiative builds on Zenith Bank’s longstanding commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls through programmes including its annual International Women’s Day Seminar, the Zenith Women’s Basketball League, the Women of Honour Awards in partnership with the Ford Foundation, the Pad-a-Queen Initiative and Z-Woman, which supports women-owned businesses through business support and access to credit at discounted rates.
Through “Banking on Her Tomorrow,” Zenith Bank is extending this commitment to a younger generation, equipping girls with the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue their ambitions and contribute meaningfully to their communities and society.
Zenith Bank Plc is set to launch the maiden edition of its Girl-Child Empowerment Programme, an initiative aimed at inspiring young girls to dream boldly, develop the skills and confidence to pursue their aspirations, and prepare for meaningful opportunities in the future.
The event, themed “Banking On Her Tomorrow,” is the brainchild of the Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the first female GMD/CEO in Zenith Bank’s history and a strong advocate for girl-child education and empowerment. The event will be held virtually on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., a day after the International Day of the Girl Child, observed globally on October 11.
The programme, which will feature an impressive lineup of distinguished experts in various fields, seeks to provide girls with the inspiration, knowledge and practical perspectives needed to navigate their education and careers, while exposing them to opportunities in skills development, mentorship and leadership. As an annual platform, it will encourage girls to recognise their potential, broaden their aspirations and equip themselves to make informed choices about their future.
The initiative builds on Zenith Bank’s longstanding commitment to women and girls, demonstrated through programmes and platforms including the Bank’s annual International Women’s Day Seminar, its sole sponsorship of the Zenith Women’s Basketball League, the Women of Honour Awards in partnership with the Ford Foundation, and the Pad-a-Queen Initiative. These complement the Bank’s women-focused financial solutions, including the Z-Woman initiative, an empowerment programme that supports women-owned and women-led businesses through specialised funding, capacity building and networking. Together, these initiatives reflect the Bank’s broader commitment to supporting women and girls at different stages of their lives, and to contributing meaningfully to national development.
This maiden edition is open to all, with girls, parents, educators and other members of the public invited to participate. Interested participants can register via the link below. Those unable to join via Zoom can follow the live stream on Zenith Bank’s social media platforms.
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GTCO Plc Releases 2026 Half Year Audited Results …….. Reports Profit Before Tax of ₦603.03billion,Pays Interim Dividend of ₦1
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”) has released its Audited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2026, to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE).
The Group posted a profit before tax of ₦603.03 billion, driven by strong performance recorded on the interest and trading income lines, which grew y-o-y by 7.5% and 24.7%, respectively. The strong earningsrecorded was moderated by a ₦46.2 billion fair value loss recognized in H1–2026, limiting y-o-y growth in PBT to 0.4%.
The Group grew across its asset lines, reinforcing a balance sheet that is well structured, liquid and diversified. This growth was recorded in each jurisdiction where we operate a banking franchise, and across our Payments, Pension and Funds Management businesses.”
Group’s Total assets and shareholders’ funds closed at ₦18.6trillion and ₦3.3trillion, respectively. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained very strong, closing at 34.9% (Bank 29.2%), and asset quality improved as evidenced by IFRS 9 Stage 3 Loans which closed at 3.5% and 4.6% % at both Bank and Group Level in H1-2026 (Bank -3.4%, Group 5.0% in FY-2025). Cost of Risk (COR) improved to 0.6% from 2.2% during the same period.
The Group’s Loan book (net) grew marginally by 0.5% from ₦3.13trillion as of December 2025 to ₦3.15trillion in June 2026, converse for improved performance on Deposit liabilities which grew by 10.3% from ₦12.87trillion to ₦14.19trillion during the same period.
Commenting on the results, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc), Mr. Segun Agbaje, said; “Our half year results speak to the strength of what we have built: a resilient franchise, a strong balance sheet and a business that no longer depends on banking alone. Fair value movements weighed on reported earnings, but the core business held firm. Interest and trading income grew, deposits strengthened, and asset quality improved at Group level. The priority now is to execute with discipline and grow responsibly. Digital is our lever for scaling across Banking, Payments, Pension and Funds Management, and for building a more diversified and resilient financial services group.”
Overall, the Group continues to post one of the best metrics in the Nigerian Financial Services Industry in terms of key financial ratios i.e., Pre-Tax Return on Equity (ROAE) of 35.9%, Pre-Tax Return on Assets (ROAA) of 6.6%, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 34.9% (Bank: 29.2%) and Cost to Income ratio of 31.5%.
GTCO Plc is a leading financial services group with operations across Africa and the United Kingdom. Renowned for its strong corporate governance, innovative financial solutions, and customer-centric approach, the Group provides a wide range of banking and non-banking services including payments, funds management, and pension fund administration. The Group is committed to delivering long-term value to stakeholders while driving growth and development across its markets
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