Union Bank, Brand Chief Honoured for Advancing Gender Inclusion at WIMCA 2026
Union Bank of Nigeria has received recognition for its efforts to promote gender inclusion, emerging as the Most Outstanding Bank in Gender Inclusion at the Women in Marketing and Communications Conference and Awards (WIMCA) 2026.
The award was presented at the 2026 edition of WIMCA, held on Saturday, 29 August, at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The recognition underscores the bank’s efforts to promote gender diversity and create an inclusive workplace and financial ecosystem designed to empower women, female entrepreneurs and professionals.
According to the bank, its gender inclusion initiatives have focused on providing women with access to tailored financial products, capacity-building programmes, mentorship, networking opportunities and platforms designed to enhance their participation in the economy.
The conference, themed “Grow, Give, Glow: Building Resilience for Distinction,” brought together female marketing and communications professionals, brand executives and other industry stakeholders from across Africa.
The organisers described WIMCA as one of the largest gatherings of female professionals in marketing and communications on the continent, with discussions centred on emerging industry trends, leadership, resilience and the advancement of women within the brand and marketing ecosystem.
Adding to Union Bank’s recognition at the event, its Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilola Aluko, was named among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Marketing and Communications.
Aluko said the twin recognition for the bank and herself reinforced the importance of sustained investment in gender inclusion and women’s advancement.
She said Union Bank viewed gender inclusion not only as a social responsibility but also as an important driver of institutional excellence, innovation and sustainable growth.
“Union Bank’s recognition at WIMCA 2026 is a strong validation of our sustained commitment to advancing gender inclusion as a driver of institutional excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth,” Aluko said.
She added that the bank was committed to supporting initiatives that would enable women to develop their careers, assume leadership positions and make meaningful contributions to the marketing and communications industry.
“We are proud to champion platforms and initiatives that empower women to lead with confidence, build meaningful careers, and contribute significantly to the evolution of the marketing and communications industry,” she said.
According to her, the recognition would further encourage the bank to expand opportunities for women across its workforce, customer base and the wider society.
The WIMCA platform was established by Nigerian brand and marketing publication Brand Communicator to provide greater visibility for female leadership and promote women’s participation in the brand, marketing and communications sectors.
The platform has increasingly become a forum for industry professionals to examine the challenges confronting women in the sector while celebrating individuals and organisations making notable contributions to its development.
Union Bank said it would continue to participate in platforms and initiatives that promote women’s empowerment and meaningful participation in the marketing and communications industry.
The bank also reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusive growth and expanding opportunities for women as part of its broader contribution to the development of Nigeria’s business and professional landscape.
Established in 1917, Union Bank is one of Nigeria’s longstanding financial institutions, providing banking services to individuals, businesses and public-sector clients.
The bank operates a nationwide network of more than 300 branches and offers services including current and savings accounts, deposits, funds transfers, foreign currency domiciliation, loans, overdrafts, equipment leasing and trade finance.
It also provides digital banking services through online and mobile banking platforms, debit cards, ATMs and point-of-sale systems.
