The Oliver Alawuba-led United Bank for Africa, UBA is currency facing one of the biggest customer backlash, the worst since it was incorporated on February 26, 1961.
In the last few days, many customers of the bank have been passing a damning verdict on the lender citing their various negative experiences; from over deduction of charges, missing money in their accounts without explanations, slow response to customers query, among others, as some of the reasons why they are considering shifting their loyalty to a more receptive competitors they can do business with, and go to bed without losing their sleep.
The angry customers, who are not leaving any stone unturned in their quest to make their case, have now taken to various social media platforms to express their dissatisfaction, as some of them are also calling on the regulatory authorities to intervene in their situations, because the bank, which prides itself as Africa’s Global Bank has simply refused to listen to them, or resolve their problems.
For instance, while narrating his nasty experience with the commercial bank recently a customer BOZZ 🌶️
@Nurseinweb3 said on X that he was done with the bank, he described UBA as the “worst” in the country after experiencing serious frustration from them.
“Literally the worst bank in Nigeria right now , I’ll deactivate my account as soon as I get my money from you people,” the customer said.
Bozz verdict is however coming amid the bank’s recent announcement, to the effect that it has been declared the best commercial bank in the Africa by the Banker’s.com, saying the award affirms its leadership position “as one of the continent’s most innovative and resilient financial institutions”.
“The Banker.com, a leading global finance news publication published by the Financial Times of London, organises the annual Bank of the Year Awards, and this year’s edition was held at a grand ceremony at the Peninsula, London, on Wednesday,’ the bank said in a statement.
The bank, stressed in the statement on Monday that “We won big at the The Bankers Award organised by Financial Times of London, winning 10 countries award as the Best Bank? Including the continent’s No 1 bank.”
“Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has once again, reaffirmed its leadership as one of the continent’s most innovative and resilient financial institutions, as the bank has, for the third time in five years, been named the African Bank of the year 2025 by the Banker.com.
UBA also won the Best Bank of the Year awards in nine of its 20 African subsidiaries, bringing its total awards this year to ten as UBA Benin, UBA Chad, UBA Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), UBA Liberia, UBA Mali, UBA Mozambique, UBA Senegal, UBA Sierra Leone, and UBA Zambia, all came out tops as the best banks in their respective countries, underscoring the bank’s strength across West, Central and Southern Africa and highlighting the depth of its Pan-African franchise,” the bank said.
Reacting, UBA chief executive, Oliver Alawuba said the award came because of its customer-centred policy.
Alawuba: “This honour reflects the strength of our Pan-African network, the trust of our customers, and the dedication of our people. Winning Africa’s Bank of the Year for the third time in five years is not by chance; it is a testament to disciplined execution, innovation, and a deep understanding of the markets we serve.”
Stressing that “Our nine country awards across diverse regions of Africa show that UBA is not just growing, but growing with impact. We remain committed to driving financial inclusion, supporting economic development, and deploying technology that makes banking simpler, faster, and more accessible to Africans everywhere.”
But the customers who have now launched a verbal war against the bank on the internet, disagreed. They think the commercial bank is portraying what is not, they are now exposing its dirty linen in the public, calling on the regulatory bodies in the country to pay attention.
Apart from Bozz, SODIQ ADEDAYO O
@Adekunle24426 said he’s also frustrated with the bank’s “incompetence”, saying he has been unable to have access to the money in his account even after lying to him that his problem has been ‘resolved”.
“My bank has shown nothing but incompetence. My account has been locked for months even after I submitted every required document repeatedly. They claimed it was resolved, yet my money remains inaccessible. This has caused serious stress. I won’t stay silent—fix this immediately,” he said.
On his part, R a i n b o w… J 🌈vote peterobi
@youngesteva, said he has been frustrated for weeks after the bank failed to reverse a failed transaction in his account.
According to him, “This debit was remitted through POS failed transaction and thereafter I laid a complaint to your X twitter handle through inbox message this is going to 4 weeks now, and at the end No positive reversal has been done.
I awaited your immediate action.”
Hannah Abel Inyang @abel_inyan78617 is her anger against the commercial bank also wrote: “Kindly look into this transaction that was declined but i was debited since on Sunday .i don’t want to tag people pls . kindly do the needful.”
On her part Akinyemi John
@AkinyemiJ32227, laments that “Since I’ve been messaging UBA help center on transaction issues with UBA mobile APP transaction that was successful but not receive by recipient, yet no helpful response from UBA help center.”
RUTH@Ruth1Okere, said “I was debited since 7th of November, and UBA bank doesn’t want to refund me my money. This is Wickedness and fraud. Pls UBA refund my money o.”
Akinyemi John
@AkinyemiJ32227 neither have complimentary remark for the bank. “Since I’ve been messaging UBA help center on transaction issues with UBA mobile APP transaction that was successful but not receive by recipient, yet no helpful response from UBA help center, “ he said.
Ajayi Oloruntoba @OloruntobaAjayi is demanding that the commercial bank “Refund the 106k plus that you stole from my account. I have complained, you said I should give you 24-48hours, it’s been more than 72hours. Refund my money now. #UBAisAscam.”
According to Willy_Sr @AM_Williams_SR “I’ve drop a message for you guys please reply I sent my sis money it’s been over 24 hours now she haven’t received the money and you guys debited me.”
chimsodi ogbueli @BigChimzy however, said he “Met a staff at UBA 23 Road Festac named Mrs. Oluebube Mary — truly amazing at her job. I’d had a name issue holding my money for so long, and she resolved it within 24 hours. Her kindness and professionalism gave me real peace of mind. Thank you @UBAgroupltd — best bank so far.”
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