UBA Welcomes New Chairman Nnorom as Elumelu Exits

United Bank for Africa Plc has formally welcomed Emmanuel Nnorom as its new Group Chairman following the retirement of Tony Elumelu.

Nnorom officially assumed the position on August 21, 2026, succeeding Elumelu, who retired after completing the maximum tenure permitted for non-executive directors under Central Bank of Nigeria corporate governance guidelines.

UBA announced Nnorom’s assumption of office in a social media post on Wednesday, describing him as a seasoned business leader and chartered accountant with more than four decades of professional experience.

“We welcome Mr. Emmanuel N. Nnorom as the new Group Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc. A seasoned business leader and chartered accountant with over four decades of experience,” the bank stated.

Nnorom brings extensive experience within the UBA Group, having spent more than eight years in senior leadership positions.

His previous roles include Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Africa, Group Chief Operating Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director of Finance, Executive Director of Risk and Executive Director of the Group Executive Office.

He also served as a Non-Executive Director on the UBA board after joining the board in 2024.

As CEO of UBA Africa, Nnorom oversaw the bank’s operations across several African countries and contributed to the group’s continued pan-African expansion.

UBA said his experience and understanding of the bank’s development positioned him to lead the group at an important stage of its growth across Africa and beyond.

Before joining the UBA board, Nnorom had held several executive positions within the group and built a career spanning banking, corporate management and financial services.

Outside UBA, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation Plc from September 2014 to May 2017.

He has also served as Group Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Holdings since June 2017.

Nnorom’s banking experience includes senior management roles at Standard Trust Bank, now UBA, Diamond Bank, NUB International Bank and Liberty Merchant Bank.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

Nnorom also completed executive leadership and management programmes at Templeton College, Oxford.

His appointment marks a leadership transition at one of Nigeria’s major banking groups as Elumelu steps down after years at the helm.

UBA expressed confidence that Nnorom’s experience would support the group’s continued expansion and strengthen its operations across Africa and international markets.