Union Bank CEO Yetunde Oni Reveals 6 Leadership Principles Behind Her Success

“Only 30 young Nigerians earned a seat in a room that started with 25,000 hopeful applicants — and inside that room, Union Bank CEO Yetunde B. Oni shared the personal leadership principles, setbacks, relationships and values that shaped her rise to the top of Nigeria’s banking industry.”

“Union Bank CEO Yetunde B. Oni shared six leadership principles known as THRIVE — Take Ownership of Relationships, Honour God, Recharge and Refresh, Invest in Growth, Value Your Work and Embrace Setbacks — while mentoring 30 young Nigerian leaders selected from 25,000 applicants.”

Union Bank of Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Yetunde B. Oni, has shared the leadership values, personal experiences and growth principles that guided her journey through more than three decades of professional success.

The conversation was held with 30 exceptional young leaders selected from over 25,000 applicants for the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy fellowship in Lagos.

The exclusive engagement provided the fellows with practical lessons on leadership, resilience, relationships, personal development and the discipline required to build lasting impact.

The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, a Lagos State Government initiative established in honour of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Nigeria’s first civilian governor of Lagos State, was created to develop a new generation of ethical, visionary and responsible leaders.

Through a fellowship facilitated by the Africa Leadership Initiative, West Africa (ALI WA), the programme continues to equip emerging leaders with values-based leadership skills across different sectors and professions.

Rather than delivering a traditional corporate speech, Mrs Oni offered a personal reflection on her career journey, challenges, unexpected opportunities and the principles that helped her navigate leadership at the highest level.

She introduced the framework “THRIVE”, a six-point leadership guide designed to help young professionals build purposeful careers.
The THRIVE Leadership Framework

T — Take Ownership of Your Relationships
Mrs Oni explained that leadership begins with intentional relationships.
According to her, professional success is not built alone because relationships serve as a foundation for growth, collaboration and opportunity.
She encouraged the fellows to build and maintain meaningful connections because “relationships are not accidental; they must be nurtured.”

H — Honour God
She described faith as a guiding force that provides direction, balance and humility throughout a leadership journey.
R — Recharge and Refresh
The Union Bank CEO emphasised that personal wellbeing should not be ignored in the pursuit of success.

She noted that effective leaders must prioritise mental and physical renewal because sustainable leadership requires strength and balance.

I — Invest in Your Growth
Mrs Oni stressed that continuous learning remains essential in a changing world.
She encouraged young leaders to consistently develop themselves because relevance is maintained through knowledge, adaptability and improvement.

V — Value Your Work
She challenged the fellows to understand their identity, purpose and contribution.
She asked important questions: “What do you represent? What value do you create? What do people remember you for?”
E — Embrace Setbacks
Mrs Oni described setbacks as part of every meaningful journey.

She explained that failure should not be seen as the end of progress, but rather as an opportunity to learn, improve and become stronger.

The Power Behind Every Successful Leader
One of the strongest themes from the conversation was the importance of relationships.

Mrs Oni acknowledged the influence of her family, mentors, coaches, sponsors and professional networks in shaping her career.

She highlighted the importance of Nigerian values such as hard work, honesty, integrity, respect and discipline, describing them as qualities that continue to open doors.

She also explained the difference between a mentor and a coach, noting that both play unique roles in personal and professional development.

Believing Before the Opportunity Arrives
One of the most inspiring moments came when Mrs Oni spoke about self-belief.

She revealed that becoming Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone was not initially an ambition she believed was within reach.

However, after encouragement from her husband, she applied for the opportunity and eventually became the first woman to lead a Standard Chartered Bank operation in that market.
Her journey to Union Bank followed a similar pattern.

She explained that the opportunity came through relationships and professional networks, as people who recognised her abilities recommended her name even when she was unaware of the opening.

Her message to the young leaders was clear:
“Believe in yourself. Take the opportunity.

Apply even when you are uncertain, because the door you are waiting for may come through a connection you have already built.”

Why the Conversation Matters
Leadership conversations like this often go beyond immediate business results because they shape the people who will influence the future.

Union Bank’s engagement with young leaders reflects the importance of investing in human capital and building a culture where experience is transferred to the next generation.

The Africa Leadership Initiative, West Africa, and the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy continue to play a significant role in developing young Nigerians through leadership training and values-based development.

For Yetunde B. Oni, the message was not only about personal achievements, but about responsibility — using experience, knowledge and opportunity to prepare those coming behind.
That, she demonstrated, is what true leadership represents.