United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has appointed veteran banker and corporate executive Emmanuel Nnorom as its new Group Chairman, following the retirement of Tony Elumelu after the completion of his tenure.
Nnorom, who has served as a Non-Executive Director on UBA’s Board since 2024, will officially assume office on August 21, 2026, in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate governance guidelines.
Here are 10 key facts about the incoming UBA chairman:
1. Born in 1958
Emmanuel Nwabuikwu “Emma” Nnorom was born on April 7, 1958, and has built a distinguished career spanning banking, investment and corporate leadership.
2. Executive education at Oxford
Nnorom attended Templeton College, Oxford, where he completed executive leadership and management programmes, further strengthening his corporate governance expertise.
3. Chartered accountant and banker
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
4. More than 40 years of experience
With over four decades in banking, finance, audit, operations and corporate governance, Nnorom has occupied several executive and board positions in Nigeria’s financial sector.
5. Career across leading Nigerian banks
Before his leadership roles at UBA, he worked in senior management positions at Standard Trust Bank (now UBA), Diamond Bank, NUB International Bank and Liberty Merchant Bank, overseeing finance, operations, risk management, planning, information technology and human resources.
6. Rose through the ranks at UBA
Nnorom spent more than eight years in executive management at UBA, serving as Group Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director (Finance), Executive Director (Risk), Executive Director (Group Executive Office) and later Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Africa.
7. Led UBA’s African expansion
As CEO of UBA Africa in 2013, he supervised the bank’s operations across several African countries, helping strengthen its position as one of the continent’s leading financial institutions.
8. Served at Heirs Holdings
Before joining Transcorp, Nnorom was President and Chief Operating Officer of Heirs Holdings between January and August 2014, where he played a key role in executing the group’s investment strategy.
9. Former President and CEO of Transcorp
Between September 2014 and May 2017, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp), overseeing businesses in power, hospitality, agriculture and energy.
10. Current Group CEO of Heirs Holdings
Since June 2017, Nnorom has served as Group Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Holdings, leading investments across financial services, healthcare, power, hospitality, real estate, technology and energy.
His appointment marks a new chapter for UBA as the bank transitions from the era of Tony Elumelu to another seasoned corporate leader with decades of experience in banking, governance and strategic investment.
