Union Bank CEO Yetunde Oni Mentors Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy Fellows, Shares THRIVE Leadership Principles
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria, Yetunde B. Oni, recently engaged 30 fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) in an inspiring leadership conversation, sharing personal experiences and practical lessons on character, relationships, resilience, and personal development.
The fellows, selected from a pool of more than 25,000 applicants, are participants in the Lagos State Government-backed leadership programme established in honour of the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the first civilian governor of Lagos State. The fellowship is facilitated by the Africa Leadership Initiative, West Africa (ALI WA), an organisation dedicated to nurturing ethical and transformational leaders across the region.
Rather than delivering a formal corporate address, Oni opted for an open and candid discussion, offering insights drawn from her more than three decades of professional experience in the banking industry.
Central to her presentation was a leadership framework she described as “THRIVE,” a six-point guide designed to help young leaders navigate personal and professional challenges.
According to Oni, the acronym stands for Take Ownership of Your Relationships, Honour God, Recharge and Refresh, Invest in Your Growth, Value Your Work, and Embrace Setbacks.
She explained that leadership begins with intentionally building and nurturing relationships, describing strong personal and professional networks as critical infrastructure for success.
Oni also emphasized the importance of faith, noting that spiritual grounding provides stability and direction in leadership. She urged the fellows to prioritise their physical and mental wellbeing, stressing that effective leadership requires sustained energy and self-care.
Encouraging continuous learning, she noted that personal development remains essential for staying relevant in a rapidly changing world.
On the subject of personal branding and professional identity, Oni challenged participants to define what they stand for and the value they create, while urging them to view setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth rather than barriers to success.
Reflecting on her own journey, the Union Bank CEO credited much of her success to the support of family members, mentors, coaches, friends, and sponsors who played significant roles at different stages of her career.
She highlighted the importance of maintaining relationships and distinguished between the roles of mentors and coaches, noting that each contributes differently to personal and professional advancement.
Oni also underscored the enduring relevance of values such as hard work, honesty, integrity, respect, and courtesy, describing them as principles that have consistently earned her trust and opened doors throughout her career.
One of the highlights of the session was her reflection on becoming the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone. She revealed that she initially doubted her chances of securing the role and only applied after encouragement from her husband.
Her appointment made history as she became the first woman to lead a Standard Chartered Bank operation in her market.
Similarly, she recounted how her appointment as Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank came through professional relationships and recommendations from individuals familiar with her work, even while she was serving outside Nigeria.
She encouraged the fellows to believe in themselves, take calculated risks, and pursue opportunities even when they feel uncertain about their chances of success.
The engagement reinforced the importance of mentorship and leadership development, while highlighting Union Bank’s commitment to investing in people and supporting the emergence of a new generation of ethical and capable Nigerian leaders.
Observers noted that initiatives such as the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy and the Africa Leadership Initiative, West Africa, continue to play a vital role in nurturing future leaders equipped to drive positive change across the country.
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