UBA Group ushers in Yuletide, lights up Marina Lagos

United Bank for Africa Plc on Monday lit up the Lagos Marina with thousands of bright, colourful lights and carols, marking the start of its 2025 yuletide celebrations and reinforcing what has become an annual tradition across its global network.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Oliver Alawuba, flanked by deputy managing directors, top executives and customers, led the ceremony, which was replicated simultaneously across all 24 countries where the bank operates.

Alawuba, who delivered his remarks after joyous renditions by the UBA CFC Choir and the Lagos Community Gospel Choir, welcomed customers and staff to the event as he stressed the importance of the light-up ceremony as a symbol of hope for the coming year, the tier one lender said in a statement.

He said the bank’s lighting of the Marina goes beyond singing and decoration, noting the significance of the season. “We are light unto the world, creating an environment of light, of hope, of joy, an environment of love and sharing. For us, today officially marks the commencement of the Christmas season, a season of love, hope, and joy.”

He added that the ceremony also heralds acts of charity within the bank’s immediate community. “We are beginning to share love and charity with our neighbours in this environment. Christmas is a period of gift sharing, a period of love, and a flow of charity.

This is what UBA promises, and we will reach out to our people who have been with us all through.”

The UBA Marina Light-Up ceremony has become an annual tradition, signalling the bank’s dedication to fostering positivity, reinforcing bonds and spreading goodwill throughout the festive period and beyond.

Alawuba reiterated the bank’s pan-African commitment, saying the ceremony has evolved into a global standard for the group.

“UBA is one, everywhere. We operate in 24 countries across four continents. Whatever you see us doing here, we are doing in all our countries of presence. UBA will continue to improve our surroundings, appreciate our customers, and value our staff who have been there for us,” he said.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the African financial sector, with 25,000 employees group-wide and more than 45 million customers globally.

Operating in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, driving financial inclusion and deploying cutting-edge technology.