UBA strengthens Africa’s future leadership pipeline, graduates 374 young professionals

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has celebrated the graduation and induction of 374 young professionals into its workforce, marking the successful completion of Cohort 21 of its Graduate Management Accelerator Programme (GMAP). This flagship talent development scheme, held at the Landmark Events Centre in Lagos, recognized graduates from Nigeria and across the African countries where UBA operates.

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Products can be commoditized, but service never can, because there is always a differentiator in how you serve and how you create.

The GMAP program is meticulously designed to equip emerging professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic banking sector. To date, it has graduated over 5,000 young professionals, providing them with invaluable mentorship, comprehensive training, and practical, hands-on experience to accelerate their careers.

This year's cohort comprised 223 women and 151 men, drawn from UBA's operations in eight African countries. While 345 graduates were from UBA Nigeria, 29 came from subsidiaries in Guinea, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia, and Côte d’Ivoire.

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As everyone leverages technology, the differentiator becomes how that technology is used to make our customers happy.

During the ceremony, UBA's Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, stressed the paramount importance of customer service as the bank's defining competitive edge. Responding to inquiries about UBA's differentiation in a market where banking products are becoming increasingly commoditized by technology, Elumelu stated, "Products can be commoditized, but service never can, because there is always a differentiator in how you serve and how you create." He added that as technology becomes ubiquitous, the true differentiator lies in how it is leveraged to enhance customer satisfaction.

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As future leaders of UBA, people like you give me confidence that if we hand over to your generation, UBA will be safe.

Elumelu expressed confidence in the future leadership of UBA, stating, "As future leaders of UBA, people like you give me confidence that if we hand over to your generation, UBA will be safe." He encouraged the graduates to protect their passion and remain committed to hard work, discipline, and excellence throughout their professional journeys. UBA's Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, described their certificates as a "commissioning rather than a conclusion," urging them to uphold the bank's standards in all their future roles.

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Your first posting may not be your preferred destination, but make it your platform and give it your best. No assignment is too small to reveal a great attitude, and no role is too modest for excellence.