Leadership
SOLA YOMI-AJAYI
Sola Yomi-Ajayi is a highly experienced banker with over 28 years of banking experience, managing Corporate and Institutional relationships with significant experience managing International Banking, Regulatory Engagement, Structured funding, Risk management, Financial inclusion, Transaction banking, Correspondent banking, Treasury, and Operations.
As the Executive Director for International Banking, and the CEO of UBA America, Sola Yomi-Ajayi is responsible for strategy formulation as well as oversight for UBA Group’s International business operations in America, Grand Cayman Islands, UK, France and Dubai-DIFC. She is also responsible for the strategic oversight of the Group’s Diplomatic, Multilateral and Development Organization portfolios and she leads the respective teams in the execution of the corporate strategy and delivery of unique best-in-class financial solutions to UBA’s customers across four continents.
Sola has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and an MBA from the Aberdeen Business School, UK. Additionally, she has undertaken Executive Leadership education from Harvard Business School and Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
She is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, UK and a Member, Board of Trustees for the US-based Institute of International Banking.
USMAN ISIAKA
Usman Isiaka is a consummate banker with over two decades of banking experience at senior management levels cutting across Internal Control, Audit, Compliance, Risk Management, Operations, Marketing and Business Development functions.
He joined UBA Group in May 2000 and has since served in various management roles across 21 African countries where UBA has a presence. Following his extensive experience in Internal Control, Audit and Compliance, in 2014, he transitioned to the sales and business development side of the business. Since then, he has achieved success overseeing and driving the bank’s strategic objectives as MD/CEO in Tanzania and Sierra Leone.
As the Deputy CEO for UBA America, Usman is responsible for Treasury, Finance, Global Corporates & EMDOs, Financial Institutions and Sovereigns and business development functions.
Usman holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, master’s degree in business administration and a Fellowship in Accounting Profession. He has attended various local and international courses, workshops, and seminars. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
ERNEST DIO
As the Chief Risk Officer of UBA America, Ernest Dio leads our risk enterprise in the anticipation, identification, control, mitigation, and management of all risks associated with the company.
Ernest has been with UBA Group since 2004 and over the last 13 years, has served in different capacities at UBA America. Prior to his current role, he has served as Chief Operating Officer, Head of International Operations, and Head of Risk Management. He is a member of the Nigerian Chartered Institute of Bankers as well as the Association of Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialists.
Ernest holds a Master of Science in Economics from Ambrose Alli University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Jos.
MICHAEL NWOSU
Michael Nwosu supervises operations, IT, and service assurance as Chief Operating Officer for UBA America. He manages the day-to-day running of the bank’s operations, including supervisory support of the finance and resources departments.
Michael has been with UBA America since 2007 and with UBA Group since 2003. He previously served as Head, Risk Management at the company, and his experience cuts across operations, audit & internal control, risk management, and compliance. Michael holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Benin in Nigeria and is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.
CHARLES CONSTANTIN
Charles Constantin has over 24 years of experience in bank regulatory compliance in New York, USA. Prior to joining UBA America in 2022, he was a Federal Reserve Bank Examiner and held various compliance roles in within other International financial institutions
As the Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) Officer at UBA America, Charles manages the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program and BSA Department for the Bank with oversight of Know Your Customer, Transaction Monitoring and OFAC/Sanctions.
He graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance.
GORDON BROWN
Gordon Brown has 25 years of experience in commercial banking, asset management, and bank supervision in the United States and the United Kingdom. He has broad knowledge in bank regulation, risk management, and compliance, working in both the public and private sectors working at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, HSBC plc and Nubuke Investments LLP.
As the Head, Regulatory Compliance at UBA America, Gordon is responsible for managing the Bank’s relationship with its auditor and its bank regulator, compliance training, and bank regulatory guidance and banking regulations. He further manages the Compliance Governance and Data Analytics areas of UBA America.
Mr. Brown graduated from Howard University School of Business with a BBA in Finance. He is also a Commissioned Senior Examiner of the Federal Reserve System.
CHUBA OGBUE
Chuba Ogbue has over 20 years of international financial service experience garnered from international banks and organisations in the areas of investment banking, treasury management, portfolio management as well as commercial banking with experience across Africa and in Asia, Europe and North America.
As the Head of Treasurer at UBA America, Chuba is front and centre of investment options and leads the discussions on asset and liability management, aiding the bank’s reputation remain intact by ensuring stakeholders funds are safe, secure and available as required.
Chuba holds a Master of Science degree in International Banking & Finance from the London Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Benin. He also holds an intermediate certificate in Mandarin Chinese from the Beijing Language & Culture University.
VICTOR ADEPOJU
Victor Adepoju has over 25 years of banking experience with expertise managing Banking operations, Credit Operations, Cash Management Process Re-Engineering and Internal Control across Africa
As the Head of Internal Control at UBA America, Victor’s key responsibility is to promote operational efficiency, encourage adherence to policies and minimize any risks and safeguard the organization’s core objectives.
Victor holds a BSc (Hons) in Biology from the University of Lagos, Nigeria and an MSc in Economics and Financial Management from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He is a member of Nigeria Institute of Management-MNIM (Chartered), has a Certification in Internal Control from the Internal Control Institute Orlando Florida, USA and is a Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional
UGOCHUKWU ABANUM
Ugochukwu Abanum is a Chartered Accountant and seasoned financial analyst with over a decade’s experience spanning audit and assurance, accounting advisory, financial control and reporting, performance management and strategy.
As Chief Financial Officer, Ugo is primarily responsible for overseeing the bank’s financial, regulatory and management reporting processes, budgeting and performance management while also playing a critical role supporting the CEO in the formulation and execution of the bank’s strategy.
Prior to joining UBA America, Ugo was the Chief Financial Officer at UBA Ghana Limited, the flagship subsidiary of the UBA Group where he also worked closely with the Regional Chief Executive in implementing and executing strategy for the nine countries in the UBA West Africa region. Prior to that, he was Head of Financial Reporting at UBA Plc. Before joining the UBA Group in 2014, Ugo worked in the audit and assurance division of KPMG Nigeria where he led several successful financial statement audits in the banking and other financial services industry.
Ugo holds a Bsc in Estate Management from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and an MBA from Warwick Business School, Coventry, United Kingdom. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a winner of the ICAN national overall best prize award. He is also a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).
KIM THOMPSON
Kim Thompson has over 20 years’ experience in human resources and administrative services across the financial and healthcare sector. She is adept in aligning Human Resources strategies with overarching business goals in the areas of talent acquisition, building, and managing the talent life cycle, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, diversity equity and inclusion and policy development.
As the head of Human Resources at UBA America, Kim is responsible for delivering strategic and operational solutions to harness the full power of one of an organization’s most valuable assets – their People. She prides herself on being a strategic influencer, cultural shaper, and talent architect.
Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Culture & Communications and a Master of Science degree in Industrial & Labor Relations.
PROMISE CHUKSNWABUISI
Promise Chuksnwabuisi has over 22 years’ experience in banking with expertise in Foreign Currency Treasury Operations, Security Collateral Management, Pension administration and custodianship, Clearing operations and project management across Africa and in the United Kingdom.
As Head of Operations in UBA America, Promise’s primary responsibility is to improve efficiency through the design and maintenance of the bank’s technical processes and services while overseeing the Trade Operations, Funds Transfer and Operations Control Departments.
Promise holds a B.Sc. in Business Administration and an MBA from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He is a Fellow Financial Markets Dealers Association of Nigeria (FMDA), ACI certified, and is a Member Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM)
VIBHUTI SHARMA
Vibhuti Sharma has over two decades of banking experience with senior leadership roles in commercial, corporate and investment banking. With experience across Asia, Africa, Europe and North America, he has a deep understanding of emerging and developed markets.
Vibhuti’s extensive cross-functional leadership experience in global business management, client coverage, transaction banking, risk management, structuring, and trade finance has helped him develop strong relationships with the largest public sector organizations, financial institutions, corporates, and foundations globally. He has managed significant global businesses and teams in a variety of roles.
Vibhuti is an alumnus of the Yale School of Management and University of Delhi, India. He holds a certification in Advanced Capital Markets from the New York Institute of Finance and has attended senior executive programs at INSEAD.
CLIVE EDMONSON
Clive Edmonson has 30+ years of experience in internal auditing, risk management and operations in domestic and foreign banks. He has a wide berth of knowledge in risk and controls, accounting and finance, and compliance.
As the Head of Internal Control for UBA America, Clive performs monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual internal control reviews on a) treasury front office and back office operations, b) accounting and finance, c) information technology and cybersecurity, d) credit marketing and credit administration, and e) money transfer, check processing and customer service operations. He further performs an annual enterprise risk assessment to facilitate ongoing internal control reviews.
Clive graduated Cum Laude from Saint Francis College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Association of International Bank Auditors, and has a certification from the Bank Administration Institute as a Certified Risk Professional (CRP).