By Peace Udugba
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria, Yetunde B. Oni, recently engaged 30 of Nigeria’s brightest young leaders in a candid conversation on leadership, relationships, resilience and personal growth during an interactive session with fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy.
Selected from a pool of 25,000 applicants, the 30 fellows represent some of the country’s most promising talents. The Academy, an initiative of the Lagos State Government established in honour of the state’s first civilian governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, seeks to nurture ethical and competent leaders.
Its fellowship programme is facilitated by the Africa Leadership Initiative, West Africa (ALI WA), known for promoting values-based leadership across the continent.
Rather than deliver a formal corporate address, Mrs Oni chose to share personal experiences and lessons drawn from more than three decades of professional experience. She reflected on challenges she had overcome, the values that shaped her journey, and the principles that have guided her leadership.
Central to her message was a framework she described as THRIVE, which she presented as six guiding principles for leadership and personal development.
Under the framework, she urged the fellows to Take ownership of relationships, describing meaningful connections as critical infrastructure for success. She also encouraged them to Honour God, noting that faith has remained an anchor throughout her career.
On wellness, Mrs Oni stressed the importance of leaders taking time to Recharge and refresh, warning that neglecting physical and mental wellbeing ultimately diminishes one’s capacity to serve. She also advised participants to Invest in growth, emphasizing that continuous learning is essential to remaining relevant.
She challenged the fellows to Value their work by defining their identity, understanding the value they create and building a strong personal brand. Finally, she encouraged them to Embrace setbacks, describing failure as an inevitable part of progress rather than its opposite.
Throughout the session, Mrs Oni underscored the importance of relationships, attributing much of her success to the support of her family, mentors, coaches, sponsors and friends.
She acknowledged the roles played by her parents and husband and drew a distinction between mentorship and coaching, noting that both are essential but serve different purposes. According to her, traditional values such as hard work, honesty, integrity, courtesy and respect remain timeless qualities that inspire trust and open doors.
“You need people,” she told the fellows, emphasizing that relationships require deliberate effort and should be managed with the same seriousness as any other aspect of life.
Speaking on self-belief and risk-taking, Mrs Oni recalled that she never imagined becoming the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone.
Encouraged by her husband, she applied for the position despite doubts and was appointed, becoming the first woman to lead a Standard Chartered operation in her market.
She recounted a similar experience regarding her appointment as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria.
According to her, she was unaware that the position had become vacant following the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria. While she was in Sierra Leone, people familiar with her work recommended her for the role.
She urged the fellows to believe in themselves and pursue opportunities even when they feel uncertain.
“The opportunity you are waiting for may be one you cannot see, reaching you through someone you have not yet met,” she said.
The session highlighted Union Bank’s commitment to investing in people and leadership development, reflecting the institution’s belief that sustainable growth is built through nurturing talent and creating opportunities for future leaders.
The event also underscored the impact of the Africa Leadership Initiative, West Africa, and the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy in identifying and developing young Nigerians equipped to lead with integrity and purpose.
For Yetunde Oni, the engagement was not merely about recounting her achievements but about passing on her experiences, wisdom and values to a new generation of leaders—a testament to the enduring belief that leadership is ultimately about empowering others to thrive.
Category: Banking | Leadership | Human Capital Development | Corporate Affairs | Education | Features
