United Capital Leadership

United Capital sets the standard for experienced and trustworthy leadership

CHIKA MORDI

Chairman
Chika Mordi brings significant experience to the board in the areas of governance, regional knowledge and industry expertise. He has served (often in a supervisory capacity) on the boards of more than thirty companies of diverse sizes in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, the UK and the U.S. Mordi is a member of the advisory board of Harvard’s Shorenstein Center. He also served on several government and multilateral committees, including the World Economic Forum’s agenda board . He continues to advise governments, businesses and individuals on competitiveness and strategy.
An avid scholar, Mordi holds an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, an MBA from IESE Business School, a Masters from SAIS Johns Hopkins, a Masters in Public Communication from American University in the USA, an advance management diploma from Harvard Business School and a Bsc in economics from the University of Ilorin. He contributes regularly to international print and broadcast media outlets and has travelled to over fifty countries.

PETER ASHADE

Group Chief Executive Officer
Peter Ashade
Peter is an astute corporate executive renowned for his expertise in Execution, Business Transformation, Organizational Strategy, and Leadership with an illustrious career spanning over 34 years in Nigeria's financial sector, including over two decades as Chief Executive of leading financial institutions in Nigeria. He has cognate experience in finance with specialist experience in Retail Business Development, Banking and Capital Market operations having participated in numerous notable market transactions across all segments of the financial markets.

He holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), an MSc in Finance from the University of Lagos and a BSc in Banking and Finance from Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University). He is a Fellow of several prestigious organizations including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Institute of Capital Market Registrars. He is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, the Institute of Directors and an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School (CEP23) and Global CEO program.

Prior to joining United Capital Plc, Peter served as Managing Director/CEO, Africa Prudential Plc (formerly UBA Registrars Limited). He sits on the board of notable organizations and is a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria. He is the Group Chief Executive Officer of United Capital Plc, a position he has held since his appointment in July 2018.

SUNNY ANENE

Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer
Sunny Anene
Sunny is the Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, responsible for the supervision of 4 business areas – United Capital Asset Management Limited, United Capital Securities Limited, United Capital Trustees and the Wealth Management Business. Prior to this time, he was the Group Executive Director supervising two businesses and three functional areas: Finance, Treasury and Operations. Before this, he also served as MD/CEO of United Capital Asset Management Limited, which he turned around and put on the part of growth.

He has also served as the Group Chief Finance Officer with responsibilities in Risk Management, Information Technology, Treasury, Finance, Operations and Corporate Servies. His experience spans through decades of expertise in financial services cutting across banking and finance, investment management, Capital markets and Pension industries. His proven ingenuity in these areas is brought to bear on his stellar management of the Group’s extensive businesses.

Prior to joining United Capital Plc, he was Head of Operations at FCMB Capital Markets, and later Lead Trader for CSL Stockbrokers, the Securities Trading arm of the Group. He moved to pension management in Zenith Pension Custodian Limited, a subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc. He returned to the Capital Markets in 2008 when he joined Chapel Hill Denham where he spent six (6) years in two different roles, first as the Director of Finance and Operations, and then the MD/CEO for the securities trading business.

He holds a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Lagos. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), an Associate of the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria and a member of the Institute of Directors. He is an alumnus of Lagos Business School (LBS) and IESE Business School, Barcelona, Spain. He has attended leadership trainings organized by Harvard Business School and General Electric (GE), USA. He was appointed a director on January 2, 2019.
He was appointed a director on January 2, 2019.

AYODEJI ADIGUN

Group Chief Operating Officer
Ayodeji Agidun
Ayodeji is the Group Chief Operating Officer at United Capital Plc. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with First Class Honours.
In addition to being a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), he is also an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).
Adigun has over 30 years’ experience in the financial sector. Until recently, Adigun served as Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer at Nova Merchant Bank Limited.
Before this, he held various senior positions at the UBA Group, including General Manager and Chief of Staff to the GMD/CEO, Chief Operating Officer, Head, Strategy & Business Transformation, and Chief Finance Officer (Northern Region).

EMMANUEL N. NNOROM

Non-Executive Director
Emmanuel Nnorom
Emmanuel N. Nnorom has over 20 years work experience in Accounting and Finance (including at executive levels) in both the real estate and banking sectors in Nigeria. He recently retired from the Board of the United Bank for Africa Plc as an Executive Director.
He is an alumnus of Oxford University Templeton College and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He is also an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria (CIBN).

TITUS OLADIPUPO FATOKUN

Independent Non-Executive Director
Titus Oladipupo Fatokun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA in Banking and Finance from the University of Ilorin and the University of Lagos, respectively
He is a fellow of two professional bodies namely: Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
He is a retired Director, Banking Services Department as well as the Banking and Payment Systems Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He was appointed an Independent Non-Executive Director on February 14, 2020.

LEKE OGUNLEWE

Non-Executive Director
Leke Ogunlewe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Ibadan and an MBA University of Lagos. Leke is one of Nigeria’s most experienced and leading bankers with exposure and leadership in Banking Operations, Corporate and Investment Banking, Energy Banking, Retail/Commercial Banking, Capital Markets, Project Finance as well as Financial Advisory Services.

He has over 37 years in banking which cut across several financial institutions such as NAL Merchant Bank Plc (Sterling Bank Plc), City Trust Merchant Bank Limited (Union Bank), Manufacturers Merchant Bank Limited (Fidelity Bank Plc), Royal Merchant Bank Limited, United Bank for Africa Plc and Standard Chartered Bank Limited.

He retired as Head of Global Banking (MD) and Executive Director, Corporate and Institutional Banking for Standard Chartered Bank with responsibility for Financial Markets/Treasury, Financial Institutions, International Corporates, Corporate Finance and Transaction Banking. He was appointed a Director in United Capital Plc on October 29, 2021.

SAM NWANZE

Non-Executive Director
Sam Nwanze
Sam Nwanze is an astute, well-rounded finance professional, business executive, investment banker and management consultant with experience in managing a broad spectrum of financial and banking responsibilities, including mergers and acquisitions, finance, performance management, treasury management, project management, integration and strategic planning.
He has held various key positions including Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer in different sectors.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Ibadan. He also attended Cranfield University, United Kingdom, where he obtained a Master of Science degree in Finance & Management.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and an Associate of the Institute of Directors, the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria. He is also a Chartered Global Management Accountant and a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst.

CHIUGO NDUBISI

Non-Executive Director
Chiugo Ndubisi is an experienced professional with strong financial knowledge, anchored on extensive hands-on experience in strategic financial management and an in-depth understanding of financial sector dynamics.
Before his appointment, Chiugo worked in different capacities at United Bank for Africa Plc, including Executive Director/Treasury & International Banking, Executive Director/Group Chief Operating Officer and Group Executive, Transformation and Resources. He also previously worked at Diamond Bank Plc (now Access Bank) in various capacities including as Executive Director/Chief Finance Officer, Divisional Head, Financial Management and Group Financial Controller & Head, Investor Relations.
Chiugo is an alumnus of the University of Nigeria where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree and the University of Lagos where he obtained a Master of Business Administration.
He is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School’s Senior Management Program and the Wharton Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

Uche Ike

Non-Executive Director
Uche Ike
Mr. Uche Ike is an experienced professional with over 3 decades in the financial industry, specializing in Operations, Credit Analysis, Risk Management, Compliance and Regulatory Management.
He is an alumnus of Imo (now Abia) State University, where he bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy and an MBA from the University of Benin.
Uche is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

LEO OKAFOR

Group Company Secretary
LEO-OKAFOR
Sir Leo Okafor holds a Bachelor and Master of Law degree from the University of Lagos. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (FCIS) and the Association of Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers. Prior to Joining United Capital Plc, he was the Managing Director of Zenith Trustees Limited (a subsidiary of Zenith Bank Plc) and PHB Capital & Trust Limited (subsidiary of Bank PHB Plc and later Keystone Bank Limited). He has over 24 years’ experience in legal practice, trusteeship, investment banking and company secretarial practice. An avid scholar who has authored several books and publications in the area of trusteeship and company secretarial practice. He was appointed Company Secretary and General Counsel on March 1, 2013.

BAWO ORITSEJAFOR

MD/CEO, United Capital Securities
Bawo Oritsejafor
Bawo is the MD/CEO of United Capital Securities Limited. His experience spans over 20 years in Securities Trading and Asset Management.

He started his career in financial services with Cashcraft Asset Management Limited where he rose to become the Head, Stockbroking Department. He later joined the UBA Plc Group in 1998, with the then UBA Capital & Trust Limited, which later changed to UBA Asset Management Limited (UAML) where he was the Head, Capital Market Unit, the Investment arm of UAML.

Bawo holds a B.Sc. Accounting degree from the then University of Ife (now known as Obafemi Awolowo University). He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, having qualified in 1996 as a Certified Broker – ACS. He has also participated in executive educational courses including the Capital Markets and Derivatives & Options Trading in Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

ODIRI OGINNI

MD/CEO, United Capital Asset Management
ODIRI OGINNI
Odiri Oginni is currently the MD/CEO at United Capital Asset Management Limited. She has over 12 years’ relevant experience in the financial services sector in the areas of audit and compliance, portfolio management, financial analyses and reporting enhancements, tax and regulatory management, strategy and investor relations, treasury and cash flow management, business process automation, capital raising (equity and debt), budget preparation and analysis, corporate rating management and finance team training and development.
Her past roles include Group Chief Finance Officer, Head, FINCON and Head, Financial Planning, Strategy and Investor Relations at United Capital Plc. Odiri was also the CFO at UBA Capital Limited (the defunct investment banking arm of United Bank for Africa Plc), Portfolio Analyst at BGL Plc and Audit Senior at Akintola Williams & Deloitte (now Deloitte and Touche). She is a First Class graduate of Accounting from Babcock University, an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a CFA Charter holder.

Gbadebo Adenrele

MD, Investment Banking
Dr. Gbadebo Adenrele holds MBBS and MBA (Finance) degrees from the University of Lagos, as well as MS Global Finance degree from New York University and HKUST.
Post-graduation, Gbadebo worked as a medical practitioner at leading healthcare facilities, including Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Premier Specialists Medical Centre.
Gbadebo has been an investment banker for 16 of his over 19 years’ working experience. His investment banking experience started with the Investment Banking Division at Zenith Bank Plc, where he worked on capital market transactions. He was subsequently a pioneer staff of Zenith Capital Limited, where he was involved in corporate finance and project finance transactions for leading Nigerian corporates.
Prior to joining United Capital Plc, Gbadebo spent over 11 years at Vetiva Capital Management Limited, where he led the Investment Banking team for 8 years and advised/worked with governments, governmental institutions, leading corporates, domestic and global financial institutions on a broad range of transactions across key sectors and jurisdictions.
His last role at Vetiva was as Director and Head, Investment Banking. He also concurrently held Non-Executive Director seats on the boards of the Stockbroking, Asset Management and Trustee subsidiaries, and was Group Coordinator of Digital Business.
Gbadebo's interests include philosophy, wellness and healthy living, life-long learning, and adventure. He is happily married with 2 children, plays tennis and is an ardent Liverpool FC fan.
Gbadebo brings a strong teamwork and leadership ethos, attention to detail, dynamism, and vast experience in transactions to a well-honed and ambitious United Capital Plc team.

ADETOLA FASUYI

Head, Wealth Management
Head, Wealth Management
Adetola is a seasoned professional with experience in the financial services industry as a senior business development and investor relations professional with an emphasis on Wealth Management. Her primary focus is serving the needs of mass affluent and high net worth individuals. She works with clients to help manage their wealth responsibly, grow it tax-efficiently, and maintain it for years to come so that it fulfills the lifestyle they desire.
Before joining United Capital Plc, Adetola was the Managing Director of SCM Capital Asset Management Limited. Prior to SCM, she was the GM/CEO of MBL Financial Services Limited, (the Stockbroking arm of Metropolitan Bank Limited (now UBA Plc) a member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange) where she packaged the company in an attractive position for eventual divestment. Her experience covers Money Markets, Equities, Fixed Income Securities, Real Estate, and Foreign Currency Trading. She is a Licensed Equity Trader on the Nigerian Bourse. She previously served as the Group Head of Operations at Metropolitan Bank responsible for planning, developing, organizing, and supervising all operations activities at the Head Office and Branches nationwide. At Access Bank, she served as head of the foreign operations department.
Adetola is a Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Financial Management (FAAFM), and a Chartered Wealth Manager (CWM). She received a Combined Honor’s (BSc) degree in Computer Science with Economics and an MBA both from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She is a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Associate of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, and The Certified Pensions Institute of Nigeria.

ESTHER ADEOLA BALOGUN

CEO, UCEE MFB
Esther Adeola-Balogun

Esther Adeola-Balogun is an accomplished professional serving as the Chief Executive Officer of UCEE Microfinance Bank Limited. With a remarkable career spanning over 17 years in the financial services industry, Esther has established herself as a leading expert in Microfinance Banking, Financial Inclusion, Digital Financial Services, Credit Risk Management, and Micro & SME Portfolio Management. She holds a degree from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

Prior to her current role, she was the Regional Bank head at Accion Microfinance bank where she oversaw 24 branches of the bank and increased its year-on-year revenue. Esther successfully managed a microfinance bank for 5 years, further solidifying her expertise in the microfinance sector. Her extensive experience as a senior executive in the industry has contributed to her comprehensive understanding of the intricacies and dynamics of the microfinance landscape.

Her commitment to professional development is evident through her certification as a Microfinance professional. She is also a member of esteemed organizations such as the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Nigerian Institute of Management. With her exceptional track record and diverse skill set, Esther Adeola Balogun is a highly respected professional in the financial services industry.

MICHAEL ABIODUN THOMAS

MD/CEO United Capital Trustees Limited
Michael Abiodun Thomas
Michael is the Managing Director/CEO of United Capital Trustees Limited, where he leads business strategy, operations, and development across various trust services, including corporate, public, escrow, and estate planning. With extensive experience in trust advisory, trust administration, business development, legal practice, compliance, and investment management. He has managed over 300 major trust transactions worth over N8 trillion spanning from areas such as public bonds, corporate debt issuance, estate planning and securitization.
Michael was previously an Executive Director at ARM Trustees Ltd, with a brief stint as acting Managing Director at Radix Trustees Limited, Trust officer at Radix Trustees Limited and legal Counsel at Rickey Tarfa (SAN) & Co., He is an Alumni of the Lagos Business School (LBS) Advanced Management Programme (AMP Class of 38), holds a master’s in international business law from Cumbria University, UK, a Post-graduate Diploma in Law of Trust from Queen Mary University and is a barrister and solicitor of the supreme court of Nigeria.
He is the General Secretary of Association of Corporate and Individual Investment Advisers (CIIA), a Fellow at the Association of Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers (IAPM), Vice President AMP Class of 38 Lagos, Business School (LBS), Member, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

SHEDRACK ONAKPOMA

Group Chief Finance Officer
SHEDRACK ONAKPOMA
Shedrack Onakpoma was appointed Group Chief Finance Officer in 2019 and oversees the Finance and Treasury departments at United Capital Plc. Shedrack is an Economist and Professional Accountant with over 23 years work experience in Financial Management, Business Planning, Capital raising projects, M&A, Business Combination, and Restructuring within Africa.
Prior to joining United Capital, he had held various finance roles within and outside Nigeria in different industries ranging from Manufacturing to Financial Services. He was the Group Enterprise Manager at Heirs Holdings and the CFO at Tenoil Energy, CFO at Heirs Insurance Limited, CFO and Head of Strategic Management Office (SMO), at Union Assurance (Now Allianz Nigeria) and CFO at IGI Ghana Limited.
Shedrack obtained his Executive MBA from the prestigious Lagos Business School in 2019 and holds a BSc in Economics from Olabisi Onabanjo University in 2009. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2002 and became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN) in 2013. He obtained his Balanced Scorecard Professional Certificate from the Balanced Scorecard Institute, the USA in 2010 and obtained his License as an International Financial Analyst from International Research Association, Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, in August 2008.

OLUFEMI OLAYIWOLA

Chief Risk Officer
Olufemi Olayiwola
Olufemi is the Chief Risk Officer at United Capital Plc. He is a seasoned financial service expert with over 25 years of demonstrated expertise in executing risk management, internal control/audit, compliance and process improvement strategies.
Prior to joining United Capital, he had worked in other Financial Institutions. He functioned in various key capacities such as the Head, Operational Risk Management Group, Head, Compliance Quality Assurance, Head, Head Office Group, Regional Control Manager, Area Control Manager, Internal Audit Supervisor, Resident Control Officer, Clearing Service Officer, and Branch Operations Officer, among others.
Olufemi holds a BSc in Accounting from University of Ilorin and an MBA from Obafemi Awolowo University.
He holds several prestigious professional certifications, including Chartered Risk Manager (CRM), Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Fellow (FCA), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), Association of Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), Associate (ACIB), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
He is a Certified Data Protection Officer and PECB Certified ISO 37301 Lead Implementer.

Tesilimi Yusuf

Director, Digital Transformation
Tesilimi Yusuf has a BSc in Computer Science with Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MSc in Economics & Finance, Nottingham Business School , United Kingdom. He has over 15 years’ professional experience.
Prior to joining United Capital, Tesilimi spent four years at Venture Garden Group, where he worked in different managerial roles: Group Head (Vibranium Valley & New Businesses), Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Tech & Sales Operations), Head of Engineering Operation & Vice President of Business Development. Before that, he worked as Operations Manager at Splashers Technologies Limited.

OLUSEYE KOMOLAFE

Director, Resources
Oluseye Komolafe is a Human Resource Professional with specialties in Organization Development & Culture Management, Employee Experience & Engagement, Change Management & Digital Transformation, Diversity & Inclusion, Competency mapping & Modelling, Learning Management and Recruitment processes.
He has over 15 years of practical experience and knowledge in designing efficient and effective HR interventions targeted at positioning human assets for sustainable competitive advantage within organizations.
Prior to joining United Capital Plc., Oluseye was with MTN Nigeria and worked in various capacities and roles; Manager, Culture & Change, HR Business Partner – IT and Enterprise Business divisions, Organisation Change Manager, Transformation Programme Manager, and Advisor Competency & Change Management. In his 8 years of working with MTN Nigeria, he successfully facilitated the implementation of various organizational change initiatives and people impacting HR programmes in line with the Organization’s change in the Business Operating Model.
Before joining MTN Nigeria, he had worked with Leading Edge Consulting and Michael Stevens Consulting as Senior Consultant and Supervisory Consultant respectively.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and an Executive Masters Certificate in Human Resource Management. In addition, he has professional certifications in Organization Development, Change Management, Life Coaching, and Competency-Mapping & Modelling. He is a Professional Scrum Master and an ICAgile Certified Professional – Agile Coach.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management Consultants, an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (ACIPM) of Nigeria, Member of the Association of Change Management Professional (ACMP), and an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).

SEUN BABASOLA

Director, Regional Operations (Nigeria)
Seun Babasola is the Director, Regional Operations (Nigeria).

Prior to his appointment, he was the Regional Director, South, where he oversaw the Group’s activities at the Southern region of Nigeria as well as providing investment strategies, solutions and product offerings for Asset Management, Trustees, Investment Banking and Securities Trading businesses of the Group. He has extensive cognate experience that cuts across banking and capital markets and as such has played a fundamental role in fund mobilization, origination and execution of several distinguished landmark transactions in the financial market space in Nigeria.
Prior to joining United Capital, he served as the pioneer Head of Business Development/Equity Securities at CardinalStone Partners where he was responsible for driving the firm’s equities trading and sales business in Nigeria. Before joining CardinalStone Partners, Seun served as Relationship Manager at Skye Bank Plc, where he was in charge of strategy, deal origination and execution. He started his banking career with Guaranty Trust Bank as a Relationship Manager.
Seun holds a BSc. Computer Science from the University of Uyo. He has also attended executive/leadership programmes at leading Business Schools like Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School.

EJIKEME OKOLI

Director, Strategy & Africa Operations
Ejikeme is the Director, Strategy & Africa Operations at United Capital Plc. Prior to his appointment, he was the Group Head, Strategy & Innovation at United Capital Plc and was responsible for steering the growth strategy of the Group across its subsidiaries (Investment Banking, Asset Management, Securities, Trustees, Consumer Finance and Wealth Management) and regional businesses in Nigeria and Africa.

He is a Strategic Management professional with strong capabilities in designing, leading and implementing business growth and realignment initiatives while dealing with organisational transformation problems towards achieving defined corporate aspirations. His experience integrates a broad spectrum of industries including Finance, Technology, Energy and Manufacturing involving corporate strategy, research, change management, business development and performance analytics.
Prior to joining United Capital Plc in November 2018, he worked in the Enterprise Intelligence & Strategy Division of Diamond Bank (Access Bank) where he led initiatives that contributed towards the successful transformation of the corporate lender to an agile, digitally-driven institution with a retail market focus in alignment with the Bank’s technology-led financial inclusion strategy. He is an astute facilitator and featured regularly on CNBC TV providing in-depth analysis to a global audience on strategic issues as they impact financial institutions and capital markets.
He also worked as a Business Developer for Dragnet Solutions Limited, and multinationals such as Chevron Nigeria Limited and Guinness Nigeria Plc where he worked as HES Officer and HR Officer, respectively. He is a graduate (with honours) of Environmental Engineering Technology and holds Advanced Strategic Management Certifications from top business schools including HEC Paris (Business Model Innovation), Harvard Business School (Sustainable Business Strategy) and Lagos Business School (Blue Ocean Strategy; Competitive Strategy) with specialist programs in Project & Infrastructure Finance (Bocconi University, Italy) and Real-World Macroeconomics (University of California).

CHUKWUMA MOJEKWU

Director, Southern Region
CHUKWUMA-MOJEKWU
Chukwuma is the Director Southern Region. He oversees the Group's investment activities across the 11 Southern States in Nigeria.
Prior to his appointment, he was the Regional Branch Head South-East sub-region of the same company. Chukwuma has gained over 16 years of working experience in the financial services industry, spanning banking and capital markets all in the southern region.
Before joining United Capital Plc, he worked at UBA Plc. He started his banking career with Access Bank Plc, where he demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment. He is a passionate relationship manager with strong capabilities in executing business growth and initiatives that positively impact organisational aspirations. He is a versatile business development expert and has continuously honed his skills through training at esteemed institutions like the Lagos Business School and Harvard Business School.
He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Economics from the University of Calabar and a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Monetary Economics from the University of Port Harcourt.

Bagudu Mohammed

Director, Northern Region
Bagudu is the Director, North Region at United Capital. He oversees the investment activities of the Group across 19 Northern States.
He has over 15 years’ experience in the field and has demonstrated impressive capacity in the areas of pension remittance management and banking.
Prior to joining United Capital Plc, Bagudu served in a similar capacity as the Regional Manager North Central and Northwest regions at Investment One Pension Managers where he was responsible for overseeing the sales and operational activities of over 10 states. At this role, he was part of the team that grew the Asset Under Management (AUM) of the organization by over 1,000% in 7 years, a similar feat he attained as Assistant Manager, Sterling Bank, Abuja. A prolific and seasoned business development expert, Bagudu is passionate about relationship management and strategic marketing skills he had harnessed over the years making him a powerhouse in the Northern Nigeria market.
He is a graduate of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, where he studied Political Science.

RITA UNUIGBOJE

Group Head, Operations
Rita Unuigboje
Rita Unuigboje is the Group Head, Operations at United Capital Plc. Prior to United Capital, she had worked with FSL Management Services Limited, a subsidiary of the FSL Securities Group (“FSL”), specialized in HR Services, where she worked as Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to joining FSL, she worked with the United Bank for Africa Plc for over 13 years, and rose to the Assistant General Manager grade. During this time, she worked in various roles, across Strategy, Customer Service, Business Development and Operations. In her last role, she was the Head of Operations and had responsibility for foreign and domestic operations functions.

Rita joined UBA Plc in 2006, from Standard Chartered Bank, Nigeria where she had worked for over 4 years, in different capacities within the Consumer Banking Group. She was at a time, the Service Quality Manager, with responsibility for driving service excellence across the Bank. Rita has had a banking career spanning over 20 years, including Standard Trust Bank and FSB International Bank (now Fidelity Bank).

Rita holds a B.Sc. in Management, from the University of Port Harcourt, an M.Sc. in International Banking and Finance from the University of Greenwich, London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Management from the European School of Management and Technology, Berlin. In 2020, she completed the Women in Leadership Certificate Programme from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

BABATUNDE ADENUGA

Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications
Babatunde Adenuga
Babatunde is a marketing communications expert with over 13 years of experience in Brand Strategy, Marketing Communications, Product Marketing, and Creative Leadership. The core of his work in the past decade has focused on telling the stories of Africa’s ambitious brands, helping them achieve sustainable growth. Babatunde excels at using various media and platforms to inspire and influence positive action.
Before his role at United Capital Group, he has held brand leadership and marketing management roles in leading companies like FSDH Group, Purple Group, Neukleos Marketing, CWG Plc, and Crenov8 DMCC, managing brand campaigns for Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Union Bank, Wema ALAT, British Council, Wema ALAT, Pernod Ricard, World Expo 2020 - Dubai, Transsion Mobile amongst others. He has specialist skills in designing winning brand strategies, immersive brand-consumer experiences, branded platforms, digital media campaigns, direct-to-consumer engagements and product marketing campaigns that drives sustainable business growth.
Babatunde is a registered advertising professional and a member of several professional bodies, including CIM, CIPR, PRCAN, NIMN and NIPR. He also mentors young marketing talents, helping them tell better brand stories and connect strategically with their audiences.
Outside his professional life, Babatunde is passionate about human-centered initiatives, education for indigent communities, girl-child empowerment, and promoting workplace culture. He is committed to initiatives that uplift African communities, promoting joy and the good news every day.

OPEYEMI AGUNBIADE

Group Treasurer
Opeyemi is an Investment Management Professional with 13 years of experience in the Financial Industry. Her passion for investments and the global financial markets has been her drive. She has an in-depth resource of the financial market in the last decade and has developed over the years ability to adapt to numerous market scenarios regardless of market conditions with an ultimate aim of meeting corporate goals whilst ensuring customer satisfaction.
Opeyemi joined United Capital in 2019 as Head, Group Treasury. Prior to United Capital Group, she was the Chief Dealer at ProvidusBank where she was responsible for the set-up of the Fixed Income Trading and Sales desk, and also the supervision of all trading units in Treasury. Prior to ProvidusBank she worked at Coronation Merchant Bank where she was the Pioneer Foreign Currency Dealer and also traded all Treasury products, developed strategies for dynamic asset allocations, created multiple reports for BUY/HOLD/SELL recommendations to hedge portfolio risk and was very active in various Executive Management meetings where she served as Secretary. She also worked as a Marketing officer at Ecobank Nigeria Limited where she managed treasury products in her branch. Over the years She has gained expertise in Fixed Income Trading, Risk Management, Local and Foreign Currency Trading, Investment Analysis, Business Strategy, Financial Analysis, Market Research and Analysis.
She holds a B.Sc in Computer Science from the University of Lagos, an M.Sc in Business Information System from the Royal Holloway University of London, UK and ACI dealing certificate France, Paris.

ALEX AKINDUMILA

Chief Information Security Officer
Alex is the Group Chief Information Security officer at United Capital.
With over 21 years of work experience in IT Service Management and Operations, IT Leadership and Governance, Infrastructure Support, IT Risk Management and Information Security, with various banks such as Metropolitan Bank (now UBA), Diamond Bank, First City Monument Bank and FirstBank with leadership positions across sub-Saharan Africa, he comes to United Capital with good wealth of experience.
He has a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology Akure and an Executive MBA degree in Management from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. He has various trainings and certifications in IT Service Management, IT Governance, IT Risk Management, and Information Security and has led the transformation and alignment of IT and Information Security practices with best practice in Nigeria and countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Prior to joining United Capital, Alex served as the Group Chief Information Security Officer at Heirs Holdings Limited.

JOSEPH ONYEMA

Head, Group Enterprise Performance Management
Joseph Onyema
Joseph is the Head, Group Enterprise Performance Management at United Capital Plc.
Over the last 16 years, Joseph has worked with and led teams whose responsibilities cut across a major spectrum of technology transformational and retail growth projects and consultancy. Joining the group in 2017, Joseph started out leading the technology team for 5+ years in the position of the Group, Chief Information Officer, a role in which his focus on execution to reposition the business was exemplary, hence leading to increased digital presence, retail growth and improved revenues, with keen focus on our growth during the COVID-19 pandemic where the business was run totally virtual and saw outstanding growth in customers, revenue and profitability.​
Leveraging on his education, performance, experience and spirit of execution, Joseph transitioned to the Group Head, Enterprise Performance Management, where he brings his analytical and technological prowess coupled with his background in managing teams and businesses to bare in monitoring and tracking business units and employees performances, while helping them to improve in their performance and ensuring the group continues to win in all its endeavours.
Before joining United Capital, Joseph headed the Group Technology Operations at Cordros Capital Limited where he transitioned the business from a High Net-worth Individual (HNI) focused business to retail-focused business with total leverage on technology to drive B2C sales across verticals while exploring new markets and partnerships. Prior to Cordros Capital, he had led the Enterprise & Cloud Services team at Soft Solutions Limited, an IT Consultancy firm with a footprint across 15 Nigerian banks on enterprise security, cloud projects, and consultancy where he developed, deployed, and led support teams to manage several financial and FMCG application suites.
A Tony Elumelu entrepreneur from 2016 before joining the group, and a member of the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma international business honor society, continues to reinvent himself and deliver exceptionally to the United Capital family.

AKINKUNMI AKINLAWON

Chief Information Officer
AKINKUNMI AKINLAWON
Akinkunmi Akinlawon is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at United Capital.
He is a consummate IT professional, economist, and tech innovation strategist with over 20 years of experience in leading cross-functional teams in the development and provision of innovative digital tech solutions addressing large-scale problems across diverse sectors.
He has a proven track record of success in tackling ecosystem problems across Africa within the public and private sectors. He has held strategic positions in giant technology-driven corporations such as Airtel, Huawei, IBM, and Venture Garden Group, overseeing the delivery of programs and projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars, targeted at impacting millions of end-users and generating high-value revenue.
Akinkunmi is a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He possesses deep expertise in IT Governance, IT Service Management, Waterfall, and Agile Project Methodologies, ISO/IEC 27001 Standard (Information Security Management Systems) and holds a sound command of a variety of modern technology tools and applications in solving problems.
He is passionate about driving digital innovation and committed to developing human capital in the technology sector.
Prior to his current role, Akinkunmi was the Head of IT Operations at United Capital.