The Chief Executive Officer Africa 1, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Chioma Mang, and UBA’s Group Chief Experience Officer, Michelle Nwoga, were among the most celebrated figures at the 2026 Guardian Woman Festival, receiving the coveted special recognition awards in honour of their transformative leadership and contributions to banking, customer experience, and corporate impact across Africa.
The two UBA leaders were honoured during the Festival’s closing ceremony of the Guardian ‘Seven Women Wonder’ category, which drew together leaders from business, philanthropy and civil society to celebrate women driving meaningful change.
Receiving the award, Mang and Nwoga spoke on how UBA is passionate about women’s growth and how it consistently creates platforms for women to lead, innovate and shape the future of African banking.
“I share this honour with every woman around the world, women in banking and finance and especially women at UBA, working tirelessly to reshape Africa’s financial landscape,” Mang said.
Nwoga stated: “This award underscores what happens when women lead with empathy and execution. True customer experience begins with believing in the people you serve, and the outcome easily is excellence.”
Speaking at the closing ceremony, co-convener Anita Athena Ibru explained the Festival’s deliberate shift toward recognising institutions alongside individuals
Ibru said: “It is important to recognise these teams of women quietly working behind the scenes. This serves as a reminder that when women get together, no matter their position, be it at executive or volunteer level, if they stay aligned with purpose, great things can happen.
“We are bringing to light the fact that women are often the key drivers behind charitable causes and advocates for social change.”
Other winners at the event were the awardees of the Seven Wonder Women category, including CEO of FSDH Merchant Bank, Bukola Smith; President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Mobolaji Adeniyi; Broadcaster, Debby Odutayo; Executive Director, Polo Luxury, Jennifer Obayuwana; Head of Sustainability and ESG, NSIA, Nana Maidugi; Founder, Female Techpreneur Founders Lounge, Bukola Moyo Babajide; and Chief Executive Officer, Wakanow, Adenike Macaulay.
