When 30 exceptional young Nigerians gathered for an intimate leadership session with Yetunde B. Oni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria, the conversation went far beyond banking, corporate success or boardroom achievements.
Selected from more than 25,000 applicants into the prestigious Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, the fellows represented some of Nigeria's brightest emerging leaders. What they received from Oni was not a formal keynote address, but a candid masterclass on leadership, resilience, relationships and personal growth.
The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, an initiative of the Lagos State Government established in honour of the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, continues to nurture a new generation of ethical, competent and transformational leaders. The fellowship is facilitated by the Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA), an organisation known for promoting values-based leadership across the continent.
Speaking from over three decades of professional experience, Yetunde Oni shared personal lessons from her leadership journey, including challenges, setbacks and defining moments that shaped her rise to become one of Africa's leading banking executives.
At the centre of her message was a simple but powerful framework she calls THRIVE.
The THRIVE Leadership Framework
T – Take Ownership of Relationships
According to Oni, leadership begins with people. She encouraged the fellows to intentionally build, nurture and sustain meaningful relationships, describing networks as one of the most valuable assets any leader can possess.
H – Honour God
She highlighted the importance of faith as a guiding force, noting that spiritual grounding provides stability, perspective and purpose in both personal and professional life.
R – Recharge and Refresh
Oni emphasized the importance of mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, urging young leaders not to sacrifice their health in pursuit of success.
I – Invest in Your Growth
Continuous learning, she said, remains non-negotiable for anyone seeking relevance and long-term success in today's rapidly changing world.
V – Value Your Work
She challenged participants to define their personal brand, understand their purpose and consistently create value wherever they find themselves.
E – Embrace Setbacks
One of the most powerful aspects of leadership, she noted, is the ability to overcome disappointment and transform setbacks into opportunities for growth.
Leadership Is Built on Relationships
Throughout the session, Oni repeatedly returned to the importance of relationships, acknowledging the influence of family, mentors, coaches, sponsors and professional networks throughout her career.
She openly credited her parents, husband and key mentors for providing support and guidance during critical moments in her journey.
Drawing a distinction between mentors and coaches, she explained that while both play valuable roles in leadership development, each contributes differently to personal and professional growth.
She also emphasized timeless values such as integrity, honesty, hard work, respect and professionalism, noting that these qualities remain essential in building trust and sustaining long-term success.
The Power of Taking Chances
One of the most memorable moments came when Oni reflected on her appointment as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone.
She admitted that she almost did not apply because she doubted her chances of success. Encouraged by her husband, she submitted her application and eventually became the first woman to lead the institution in that market.
Her eventual appointment as CEO of Union Bank also emerged through professional relationships and recommendations from people who had witnessed her work and leadership capacity over the years.
The lesson, she told the fellows, was simple but profound: believe in yourself, take calculated risks and never underestimate the power of preparation meeting opportunity.
Investing in Nigeria's Future Leaders
The engagement underscored the importance of mentorship and leadership development in shaping the future of Nigeria.
While such conversations may not generate immediate financial returns, they create lasting impact by equipping emerging leaders with the values, mindset and confidence needed to drive meaningful change.
For Yetunde Oni, the session was another opportunity to share lessons from a remarkable career and inspire the next generation of leaders to pursue excellence with courage, character and purpose.
As the fellows left the session, one message remained clear: leadership is not merely about achieving success. It is about helping others succeed and creating pathways for future generations to thrive.