Oliver Alawuba chose not to mark his 60th birthday with a gala dinner. He chose a broom, a pair of running shoes, and 20 countries’ worth of colleagues.

United Bank for Africa Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, employee well-being, and community development by mobilising thousands of employees across its operations in 20 African countries for the latest edition of its flagship wellness initiative, "Jogging to Bond." This year's event held special significance as it coincided with the 60th birthday of UBA's Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who chose to celebrate the milestone in the company of staff and colleagues.

Held under the theme "The Power Within U," the quarterly initiative brought together employees from across the Group's African network for a day dedicated to fitness, teamwork, creativity, community service, and environmental responsibility. A major highlight of the event was a coordinated environmental clean-up exercise carried out simultaneously across UBA's markets. From Lagos to Accra, Nairobi, Dakar, and other cities where the bank operates, employees took to the streets and public spaces to clean their surroundings.

In Lagos, the event featured a variety of wellness activities, including spinning bike sessions, fitness challenges, relaxation therapies provided by Oriki, and an exercise station hosted by iFitness, which also offered exclusive discounts to participants.

Alawuba used the occasion to frame the day's activities within the bank's broader institutional philosophy. "There is no place I would rather be on my birthday than here, surrounded by the incredible people who make UBA what it is today. When we run together, serve together, and work together to make our communities cleaner and healthier, we are demonstrating our shared values and commitment to the people and communities that place their trust in us every day," he said.

UBA's Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said the initiative demonstrates the bank's holistic approach to employee welfare and sustainable development, noting that the programme supports a healthy workplace culture, strengthens team spirit, and encourages staff to contribute positively to society through volunteerism and environmental responsibility.

She added: "At UBA, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that creating a thriving workforce requires investing in their well-being while also encouraging them to make a positive difference in society. 'Jogging to Bond' embodies our commitment to fostering a healthy workplace culture, strengthening team spirit, and contributing meaningfully to environmental sustainability."

The clean-up sits within a wider ESG drive that UBA has been accelerating throughout 2026. The bank was inaugurated as a member of the Finance Taskforce for Plastic Action in Nigeria, conducted Green Talk sessions with customers across branches, and launched sustainability clubs in selected schools, with UBA Foundation separately implementing a 2026 Tree Planting initiative across Nigerian schools to promote environmental consciousness among young people.

UBA operates in 20 African countries as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates, providing retail, commercial, and institutional banking services while driving financial inclusion and sustainable growth across the continent. The Jogging to Bond programme, now in its quarterly rotation, has become one of the more visible expressions of how Africa's self-described Global Bank is trying to make its ESG commitments felt at street level, one city at a time.

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