Who is Yetunde Oni, Union Bank’s new chief

 Union Bank has appointed Yetunde Oni as its new Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer in response to the recent turbulence in Nigeria's banking industry.

In a circular dated January 10, 2024, Sidi-Ali Hakama, the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) acting director of corporate communication, made this revelation on Wednesday.

The appointment takes place during a turbulent period that included the breakup of three major banks' boards and management: Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank. "We have faith in Yetunde Oni's capacity to guide Union Bank through these trying times," said Hakama. "Union Bank needs her depth of experience in the banking sector to handle the current circumstances." 

Yetunde Oni’s profile:

The appointment of Yetunde Oni as CEO gives the ongoing concerns regarding Titan Trust Bank's (TTB) acquisition of Union Bank a new angle. She takes over for the outgoing CEO Mudassir Amray in the midst of increased scrutiny surrounding the bank's acquisition.

With more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry, Yetunde Oni is a seasoned professional recognized for her creative leadership, proficiency in customer solutions, and team management skills.

Her educational background includes an MBA from Bangor University, an Economics degree from the University of Ibadan, and executive training from Oxford University.

Oni's career started with Prime Merchant Bank Treasury & Money Markets Group. She then worked as a relationship manager for 11 years at Ecobank Nigeria. She began working at Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria in 2005, where she rose through the ranks to become the Managing Director and Country Head of Commercial Banking in West Africa, among other important roles.

Oni was the first female CEO and managing director at Standard Chartered Bank in Sierra Leone prior to joining Union Bank.