The Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, has emerged as the winner of The Sun Banker of the Year Award 2026.

The Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Limited, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, presented the award notification letter to Alawuba in Abuja.

Alawuba is among the eminent Nigerians who will be honoured in various categories at The Sun Awards ceremony, scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Expo Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking on the recognition, Alawuba described the honour as both humbling and reinvigorating.

He said the award served as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with leadership and a motivation to deepen his contributions to business development, financial inclusion and national progress.

The UBA GMD described the recognition as an honour and a privilege, saying: “I am humbled by this award. I wasn’t expecting it, and for you to consider me worthy of this recognition is truly humbling.”

Alawuba added that the award meant a great deal to him because of the reputation of the organisation presenting it.

“The Sun is a respected media organisation with integrity and class. This recognition shows that what we are doing at UBA is on the right track.

“As a bank, we shall do more for Nigeria and Africa. UBA represents Africa globally and remains focused on delivering value.”

Noting that UBA operates in 20 African countries, the GMD reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to positioning Nigeria as the centre of African commerce.

“We are committed to ensuring Nigeria becomes the centre of African commerce. I always encourage companies to look beyond Nigeria, and you can see what we are doing across Africa,” he said.

Alawuba dedicated the honour to UBA staff and the bank’s more than 45 million customers, reiterating its commitment to expanding financial inclusion across the continent.

“Our vision is for every African to own a bank account because more than 80 per cent of Africans are still outside the formal banking system,” he said.

The banker also called for stronger collaboration between the banking sector and the media, noting that both sectors could work together to advance Africa’s development.

“We can work as partners to drive the African vision. We can collaborate on many fronts. Recently, when we were in the United States, one of the key conversations was how the media can survive, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa,” he said.

In his remarks, Ukeh described Alawuba as a significant figure in the banking sector, citing his more than 25 years of experience spanning corporate, consumer, institutional and commercial banking.

He noted that under Alawuba’s leadership, UBA had continued to strengthen its position as Africa’s global bank, with a balance sheet exceeding N32 trillion, deposits of more than N26 trillion, a workforce of over 25,000 employees and a customer base of more than 45 million.

Ukeh also highlighted Alawuba’s philanthropic contributions through the Eberechi Foundation, which he co-founded in 2005.

“Through the Eberechi Foundation, which you co-founded in 2005, you have supported over 300 university scholarships, paid examination fees for more than 1,500 students, and provided empowerment programmes for widows, orphans, and the elderly in your hometown, Amaifeke, Imo State,” Ukeh said.