Israel Ogbue, former chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and father-in-law to UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu, has passed away at the age of 99. According to a UBA statement, Ogbue died peacefully. He joined the UBA board in 2005 as a non-executive director and was appointed chairman in 2011, retiring in 2013.
The bank described him as a “revered boardroom statesman and distinguished administrator” who provided “steady and principled leadership” during a defining period in its transformation. Born February 18, 1927, in Onicha-Olona, Delta State, Ogbue built an accomplished career spanning the federal civil service, NICON Insurance, and multiple corporate boards.
He is survived by his wife, children (including Awele Elumelu, Chairman of Transcorp Hotels), grandchildren, and extended family. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.
Key Points:
Ogbue’s passing marks the end of a distinguished era in Nigeria’s corporate governance history.
His leadership at UBA helped shape the bank’s transformation into a pan-African institution.
Family and banking community mourn a patriarch and boardroom statesman.
This signals the loss of one of Nigeria’s oldest corporate elder statesmen.
The timing, a day after his 99th birthday, adds poignancy.
UBA mourns former chairman Israel Ogbue, who died at 99, celebrating his legacy of service, wisdom, and impact on Nigeria’s corporate landscape.
Sources: TheCable, UBA Statement