UBA trains 398 professionals

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has groomed 398 hundred future professionals across African countries through the 2024 edition of its expanded Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP) held in Lagos.

The young Africans were inducted into the UBA tribe after a rigorous six-month hands-on work and learning experience.

The programme, which is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and adapted from the globally recognised graduate training programme, is designed to build the capacity of fresh graduates who are trained as professionals for accelerated career growth to leadership in African continents.

The graduates were from six African countries – Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

Speaking at the event, UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, expressed profound pride and admiration for the success in having completed the intense capacity-building programme, combining learning with on-the-job training experience, garnered while rotating across several departments and units in the bank.

Elumelu stressed the bank’s passion for youth empowerment in Africa while bridging the unemployment gap, which, according to him, remains one of the continent’s greatest challenges.

“For me, these young beneficiaries are a testament to who we are: a truly pan-African group that invests in African talent. This milestone is more than just numbers. It signifies UBA’s commitment to youth empowerment.

“Unemployment is the greatest challenge we face – a tragic and cruel betrayal of a generation. We know governments alone cannot create all the jobs we need so it is up to us, the African private sector, to partner the government in improving lives and livelihoods.

“This is Africapitalism, and it is gratifying to see UBA play its part. UBA is dedicated to creating a positive impact, through the GMAP programme UBA is creating employment, boosting economic growth, and transforming lives across Africa,” Elumelu said.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, commended the graduating class for their unwavering commitment and emphasised the programme’s role in cultivating the next generation of UBA leaders.

“Your dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment have been nothing short of inspiring. Each of you has demonstrated the qualities of a true UBA ambassador, and today, we celebrate not just your achievements but also the collective strength of our UBA family,” he said.