Emmanuel Ikpeama
Only 30 young Nigerians out of more than 25,000 applicants earned a place in the prestigious Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy fellowship. It was to this select group of emerging leaders that Mrs. Yetunde B. Oni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria, recently delivered an inspiring and deeply personal leadership session.
The Academy, established by the Lagos State Government in honour of the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Lagos State’s first civilian governor, is designed to nurture ethical, visionary and service-driven leaders.
The fellowship is facilitated by the Africa Leadership Initiative, West Africa (ALI WA), an organisation renowned for promoting values-based leadership across the continent.
Rather than delivering a conventional corporate lecture, Mrs. Oni engaged the fellows in a candid conversation about leadership, personal growth, resilience and the importance of building meaningful relationships.
Drawing from over three decades of professional experience, she shared lessons from her career journey, the challenges she has overcome and the values that have guided her rise to the top of Nigeria’s banking sector.
At the heart of her message was a leadership framework she described as “THRIVE,” a set of six principles she believes are essential for success and lasting impact.
The first principle, Take Ownership of Your Relationships, emphasized the importance of intentionally building and nurturing connections.
According to her, relationships are not merely a by-product of success; they are a critical foundation for leadership and career advancement.
The second principle, Honour God, highlighted the role of faith as a source of strength, guidance and purpose. Mrs. Oni encouraged the fellows to remain grounded in values that transcend personal ambition.
She also stressed the need to Recharge and Refresh, reminding participants that physical and mental wellbeing are vital components of effective leadership.
Leaders, she noted, must care for themselves if they hope to sustain their ability to serve others.
Under Invest in Your Growth, she urged the fellows to embrace continuous learning and self-development. In an increasingly dynamic world, she said, staying relevant requires a lifelong commitment to personal improvement.
The fifth principle, Value Your Work, challenged the young leaders to think deeply about their personal brand, their contribution to society and the value they create through their work. Leadership, she explained, is closely tied to reputation and impact.
Finally, Embrace Setbacks, a principle rooted in resilience. Mrs. Oni encouraged the fellows to view failures and disappointments as opportunities for learning and growth rather than reasons to abandon their aspirations.
Throughout the session, she repeatedly returned to the importance of people and relationships.
She acknowledged the support she received from family members, mentors, coaches, sponsors and friends throughout her career, noting that no leader succeeds in isolation.
Mrs. Oni also shared personal experiences that underscored the power of self-belief. Reflecting on her appointment as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank in Sierra Leone, she admitted she initially doubted her chances despite being qualified.
Encouraged by her husband, she applied for the position and was successful, becoming the first woman to lead a Standard Chartered operation in her market.
She recounted a similar experience regarding her appointment as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria.
While serving in Sierra Leone, she was unaware of the opportunity until trusted professional relationships and networks brought her name into consideration.
Her message to the fellows was clear: believe in yourself, take calculated risks and pursue opportunities even when self-doubt suggests otherwise.
Often, she said, the opportunities that change lives emerge through relationships and recommendations built over years of integrity and excellence.
The engagement reflected Union Bank’s commitment to investing in people and leadership development beyond traditional business metrics.
It also highlighted the continued impact of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy and the Africa Leadership Initiative, West Africa, in preparing a new generation of leaders equipped to drive positive change across Nigeria.
For the fellows, the session offered more than leadership lessons. It provided a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of Nigeria’s most accomplished corporate leaders, whose story demonstrated that success is built on character, relationships, resilience and a willingness to keep growing.
In sharing her experiences and insights, Yetunde B. Oni offered the next generation of leaders something invaluable: a roadmap for purposeful leadership and a reminder that true success is measured not only by achievement, but also by the ability to inspire and empower others.