United Bank for Africa Plc has formally welcomed Emmanuel Nnorom as its new Group Chairman following the retirement of Tony Elumelu.
According to The Punch, Nnorom assumed the chairmanship on August 21, 2026, succeeding Elumelu, who stepped down after reaching the maximum tenure for non-executive directors under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate governance guidelines.
UBA announced Nnorom’s arrival 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.”
Nnorom joined the UBA board as a Non-Executive Director in 2024 after holding several senior executive positions within the banking group.
His previous roles include Group Chief Operating Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer, Executive Director (Finance), Executive Director (Risk), Executive Director (Group Executive Office), and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Africa.
As CEO of UBA Africa, he was responsible for overseeing the bank’s operations across multiple African markets and played a role in its expansion across the continent.
UBA said his extensive experience and knowledge of the group would be valuable as it continues to expand its operations in Africa and beyond.
“With his wealth of experience and understanding of UBA’s journey, Mr. Nnorom takes the helm at an important moment in the Group’s continued growth across Africa and beyond,” the bank stated.
Beyond UBA, Nnorom has occupied senior positions in several Nigerian businesses and financial institutions.
He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation Plc from September 2014 to May 2017 and has served as Group Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Holdings since June 2017.
His earlier banking career included senior management roles at Standard Trust Bank, now UBA, Diamond Bank, NUB International Bank and Liberty Merchant Bank.
Nnorom is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.
He also attended Templeton College, Oxford, where he completed executive leadership and management programmes.
UBA had previously announced his appointment as Elumelu’s successor, with the new role taking effect on August 21.
