United Bank for Africa Plc has approved the appointment of Emmanuel Nnorom, a longstanding Non-Executive Director, as the bank’s next Group Chairman, succeeding Tony Elumelu.
The transition will take effect on 21 August 2026, when Elumelu retires after reaching the maximum tenure permitted for non-executive directors under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate governance guidelines.
A career spanning four decades in finance
Nnorom brings over 40 years of experience in banking, finance, audit, operations, and corporate governance to the role, having held senior executive and board positions across several of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions and conglomerates.
His connections to UBA run deep. He joined the bank’s board as a Non-Executive Director in 2024, but had already spent more than eight years in its executive management, holding roles including Group Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director for the Group Executive Office, Executive Director for Finance, Executive Director for Risk, and Managing Director/CEO of UBA Africa — a position from which he helped expand the bank’s footprint across the continent starting in 2013.
Leadership beyond UBA
Outside the bank, Nnorom has led some of Nigeria’s most prominent business groups. He has served as Group Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Holdings since June 2017, overseeing a diversified portfolio spanning financial services, power, healthcare, hospitality, real estate, energy, and technology.
Prior to that, he was President and CEO of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp) from September 2014 to May 2017, where he directed businesses in power, hospitality, agriculture, and energy.
He had also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Heirs Holdings for part of 2014, shaping the group’s investment strategy during its early years.
Earlier in his career, Nnorom held senior management roles at Standard Trust Bank (later merged into UBA), Diamond Bank, NUB International Bank, and Liberty Merchant Bank, working across finance, operations, planning, risk management, IT, human resources, and regulatory affairs
Credentials and background
Emmanuel 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 undertook executive leadership and management training at Templeton College, Oxford.
Emmanuel Nwabuikwu “Emma” Nnorom was born on 7 April 1958. He is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most experienced corporate executives.
When he formally assumes office on 21 August, Nnorom will take on the responsibility of providing strategic leadership to UBA’s board as the bank continues its operations across Africa and international markets.
Administrator and Writer
