UBA Announces Project Alpha, New Executive Appointments

United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), the Pan-African bank with operations in 19 countries on the continent, New York, London and Paris, has announced the launch of Project Alpha - the group's new focus for strategic transformation.
UBA has for eight years executed a dedicated strategy of local, regional and global expansion, the implementation of which has seen the group transform from a national player to an institution of international prominence.
Project Alpha is a three-year road map of key transformation initiatives, designed to consolidate the group's strategic positioning and fully exploit the burgeoning opportunities from Africa's economic renaissance and the group's unique platform.
Project Alpha is focused on leveraging all aspects of the group's footprint, product offerings and operational capability, allowing a commitment to customer service transformation, market share growth, the implementation of key e-banking initiatives across all segments, the growth of corporate and trade finance capabilities and significant investment in human capital - represented by a workforce of over 25,000 people.
In this regard, a series of senior executive hires underlines the group's commitment to Project Alpha: Mr. Apollos Ikpobe has been appointed the Deputy Managing Director, Domestic Bank and Ms. Obi Ibekwe as Executive Director, Human Resources and Customer Service.
Both appointments have been  approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Ikpobe, who until recently was an Executive Director of Zenith Bank, a position he held for seven years, brings over 21 years experience in the Nigerian banking sector to UBA.
He will be responsible for driving UBA's domestic business in Nigeria. His appointment complements the role of the existing Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, responsible for Resources and Treasury.
The new Executive Director, Human Resources and Customer Service, Ms. Ibekwe, had a distinguished career with Zenith Bank Plc, where she was responsible for Human Resource Management, Customer Services, as well as Credit Risk Management.
She has a background in consulting, banking and customer service, critical for leading the renewed service excellence culture at UBA. Her appointment to the board brings to five, the number of female directors on the group board of UBA.