By Florencemary Nwabueze
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has celebrated the graduation of 374 young professionals from its 2026 Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP) in a ceremony held on Thursday, August 20.
The graduands, drawn from eight African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, The Gambia, Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea, brought diverse cultural perspectives to the intensive training programme designed to prepare talent for Africa's evolving business landscape.
Speaking at the ceremony, UBA Group Managing Director and CEO, Oliver Alawuba, revealed that GMAP has now produced over 5,000 alumni, cementing its position as a cornerstone of UBA's investment in young African talent.
Alawuba urged the graduates to view their certificates as a commissioning into the African marketplace, challenging them to embrace teamwork, adaptability, curiosity, and continuous learning.
"Turn potential into performance," Alawuba said, emphasising that no assignment is too small and that technology, trust, and character should drive their work with customers.
UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, also engaged the class in an interactive session, sharing valuable lessons from past cohorts and offering practical guidance on resilience, managing workplace pressure, and transforming challenges into opportunities.
The graduands described GMAP as a transformative experience that built both professional skills and cross-cultural bonds. The ceremony also recognised parents, guardians, and trainers who supported the graduates throughout their journey.
With certificates now in hand, the 374 new UBA professionals enter a competitive market where their training will be measured by results.