Follow Us on Google
By Rita Okoye
Oluwatobiloba Kazeem has left a lasting legacy in Nigeria’s financial sector, renowned for leading technology implementation and digital transformation at United Bank for Africa (UBA).
As Senior Enterprise Account Officer in the credit risk division from 2017 to 2021, Kazeem was instrumental in modernizing the bank’s operations and customer experience through innovative technology solutions.
Kazeem’s approach centered on integrating advanced data analytics into risk management, moving UBA beyond traditional processes to more predictive, data-driven decision-making. “My work at UBA was driven by a passion to connect data with decision-making. It was important that we didn’t just tick boxes, but improved how the bank understood and mitigated risk,” she explained.
Her leadership in UBA’s South Region was marked by the rollout of technology-enabled marketing strategies, which generated over $43 million in new loan customers in 2020. By leveraging digital tools and analytics, Kazeem ensured that growth initiatives were balanced with robust risk controls.
Her use of quantitative analysis to reactivate dormant accounts resulted in a 38% increase in branch-level deposits, highlighting the operational impact of digital innovation.
Beyond financial outcomes, Kazeem played a pivotal role in enhancing UBA’s digital platforms. Working closely with operations and engineering teams, she led initiatives that improved customer engagement by 15% and streamlined onboarding, demonstrating how agile technology adoption can drive customer retention—even within established banks. “It showed that even in legacy banks, technology could be agile,” she noted.
Kazeem’s expertise in aligning technology with local market realities influenced regional banking policies and set new standards for digital transformation in the sector. Her academic background in banking and finance from the University of Benin provided a strong foundation for her forward-thinking leadership.
Now a technology consultant in the United States, Kazeem continues to advocate for digital transformation in banking. She mentors young African professionals through organizations like the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), sharing her insights on leveraging technology for sustainable growth and local impact. Her journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of technology in shaping the future of banking.
