For his immense contributions to the growth of banking and finance in Nigeria and across Africa, Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Banking and Finance on Saturday from Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri, Nigeria.
Mr. Alawuba was honored during the school’s eighth convocation ceremony, an event witnessed by Imo State Executive Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Also in attendance were the former state governor, Rochas Okorocha; the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Ernest Nwapa; Vice Chancellor Professor UU Chukwumaeze, Vice Chancellors of various tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Captains of Industries and a host of other stakeholders.
While congratulating Mr. Alawuba, the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Chukwumaeze noted that the award is recognition of Mr. Alawuba’s contribution to redefining Public Sector Banking in Nigeria and across Africa.
RL: Imo State Executive Governor and Imo State University (IMSU) Visitor, Senator Hope Uzodinma; Honorary Doctorate and Group Managing Director / CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Nkeiruka Oly-Alawuba; during the awarding of Honoris Causa Doctorate in Banking and Finance to Mr. Alawuba by Imo State University at its Eighth Convocation Ceremony held in Owerri on Saturday
“The honor is in recognition of his many contributions to the financial sector in Nigeria and Africa and as one of the main drivers who helped bring modern banking to all state capitals and major cities in Nigeria, where until now most of the banks were mainly concentrating on core business businesses. centers of the country,” said Mr. Chukwumaeze.
Speaking after receiving the award, Mr. Alawuba expressed his gratitude to the university’s leadership for the honor bestowed on him, as well as attributing his success to God and hard work. He took time to encourage students to stay focused and diligent as he congratulated fellow awardees.
Imo State University (IMSU) Vice Chancellor, Professor UU Chukwumaeze; Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Ernest Nwapa; Ernest Nwapa Ernest Nwapa; Honorary Doctorate and Group Managing Director / CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Oliver Alawuba and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Nkeiruka Oly-Alawuba; during the awarding of the Honoris Causa Doctorate in Banking and Finance by Imo State University to Mr. Alawuba at his Eighth Convocation Ceremony held in Owerri on Saturday
Mr. Alawuba said. “I am grateful to the IMSU management for the honor and recognition, and I want to thank the gracious Governor, VC, and other senior executives of this great institution for the honor they have shown me today. I promise that I will continue to do everything I can to make this school and indeed the Indians of this great state proud. I also take this opportunity to advise young people to focus and do their best in their studies, so that one day they will also be recognized globally.”
Other honorary doctorate recipients include former Anambra State Governor Virgy Etiaba; Chika Emenike, CEO of Tummy Tummy Noodles, Chitec Motors Limited and Kotec Group of Companies; and Simbi Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB.
Emerging as the best graduate student in Food Science and Technology at Abia State University, Mr. Alawuba has received multiple awards from humanitarian organizations and is also a member of various sports organizations and clubs. He is married to an associate professor, Nkeirula Oly-Alawuba, and they are blessed with seven children.
Mr. Alawuba is a seasoned banking professional with over 25 years of work experience. He has a broad range of strong strategic experience in corporate and institutional banking, consumer banking, public sector, retail and commercial banking, project management, corporate governance and general banking management.
Prior to his appointment as Managing Director/CEO of the UBA Group, overseeing the group’s banking operations across its 20 subsidiaries in Africa and globally in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Alawuba he was on various occasions country CEO and regional CEO of UBA’s Rest of Africa operations.
He has B.Sc. and M.Sc. He has a degree in Food Science and Technology and an MBA in Banking and Finance. He is a former student of the AMP and SEP programs of the prestigious INSEAD Business School, France and London Business School respectively. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
