Union Bank of Nigeria has been named winner of Africa’s Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion, and winner of Nigeria’s Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion, at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026.
For more than a century, Union Bank has been committed to enabling success for generations. That commitment extends beyond banking services to the work of building an organisation in which people can thrive, pursued through progressive workplace policies, inclusive talent practices, governance reforms and initiatives focused on its stakeholders. At the centre of the Bank’s approach is a commitment to an equitable workplace and to enabling the success of every employee.
The Bank provides fully paid maternity leave of five months, one of the most supportive parental provisions available within Nigeria’s financial services industry, helping working mothers balance professional and family responsibilities while supporting talent retention and career progression. The policy is designed to remove barriers that have long limited the participation and advancement of women in the workplace.
Union Bank has continued to strengthen female representation across its leadership and governance structures. The Bank is led by a female Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Yetunde B. Oni; women occupy a significant proportion of leadership positions throughout the organisation, and female representation at Executive Board level ensures that diverse perspectives contribute meaningfully to strategic decision making and to corporate governance.
The Bank has also invested in workplace support systems that help employees balance professional responsibilities with family life. CareCube, the crèche at its Head Office in Lagos, is available at no cost to employees and provides a safe and nurturing environment for the children of working parents, both male and female. By easing the demands of childcare and enabling parents to remain fully engaged at work, the initiative supports an inclusive workplace in which employees can thrive at every stage of life.
Beyond its workforce, Union Bank advances economic inclusion and the empowerment of women through alpher, its dedicated proposition designed to support the personal, professional and business aspirations of women. Through tailored financial solutions, networking opportunities, enterprise support and programmes that build capacity, alpher enables more women to achieve financial independence and business success. The Bank has extended this commitment through WeHub, a platform that provides mentorship, business advisory support, training and growth opportunities for female employees.
These efforts support United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality, which seeks to empower women and girls and to ensure equal opportunities for leadership, advancement and economic participation. The Bank’s diversity and inclusion agenda also supports Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth. By building an inclusive workplace, investing in employee wellbeing, supporting entrepreneurship and developing talent, Union Bank promotes sustainable economic participation and productive employment, contributing to broader economic growth and prosperity.
Union Bank’s impact is further amplified through collaborations with development institutions, industry bodies, educational organisations and community stakeholders. These partnerships support the delivery of programmes that promote entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, leadership development and the empowerment of women, aligning with Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals, which emphasises the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable development outcomes.
Commenting, Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer of Union Bank, said:
“Being named winner of both Nigeria’s and Africa’s Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion is a proud moment for everyone at Union Bank. Our people have built an institution in which diversity is celebrated, inclusion is intentional and opportunity is accessible to all, and that work continues. We remain committed to creating lasting value for our employees, customers, communities and stakeholders by ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
As one of Nigeria’s most enduring financial institutions, Union Bank continues to demonstrate that sustainable business growth and inclusive development go hand in hand. The Bank will continue to create opportunities, empower its people and build a more inclusive future for the communities it serves.
