President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House
Elegbede Abiodun
Ogbue died on his birthday which was Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences following the passing of a former Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Chief Israel Ogbue, at the age of 99.
This was according to a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday.
“President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the family, friends, and associates of the late Chief Israel Ogbue, former Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), who passed away at the age of 99,” the statement partly read.
The statement highlighted Ogbue’s remarkable career across both the public and private sectors, stating, “With a distinguished career in the Federal Civil Service, the National Insurance Corporation (NICON), and NAL Merchant Bank, Chief Ogbue served as a non-executive director of UBA from 2005 until 2011, when he was appointed Chairman. He served on the board until 2013.”
It noted that throughout his tenure, Ogbue exhibited “dignity and strategic foresight and provided steady, principled leadership during a pivotal period in the bank’s transformation.”
The President also recognised Ogbue’s role in the family. “Chief Ogbue was the father of Dr Awele Elumelu, the wife of UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu,” the statement read.
Extending sympathy to both family and colleagues, the statement added, “The President extends his condolences to the Elumelu family and the extended family members over this loss. He also sympathises with UBA’s Board, management, and staff.”
Tinubu further acknowledged the widespread admiration for the late banker. “President Tinubu acknowledges the numerous testimonies praising the exemplary life and times of the late UBA Chairman, who was a devoted family man, committed public servant, and a Christian.
“He lived humbly, dedicating his time, treasures, and experience to serving the church, the poor, the vulnerable, and his community,” it stated.
Concluding the tribute, the President prayed for the departed, stating, “The President prays that Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed patriarch and bless his family.”
Ogbue died peacefully at the age of 99 on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, which was also his birthday. He was born on February 18, 1927, in Onicha‑Olona, Delta State, Nigeria, where he began life before making a mark on both the public and private sectors.
Ogbue’s career spanned more than six decades, beginning in the Federal Civil Service, after which he pursued further studies in the United Kingdom. He then built a distinguished career with the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria, rising through senior management until his retirement in 1988. His strong reputation for governance and administration later earned him board appointments with several major institutions.
He joined the UBA board as a Non‑Executive Director in 2005 and was appointed Chairman in 2011, a position he held until his retirement in 2013.
During his tenure, he was credited with reinforcing corporate governance, accountability, and long‑term sustainability at a critical period in the bank’s evolution. Ogbue was widely respected as a boardroom statesman whose leadership helped shape UBA’s transformation into one of Africa’s leading financial institutions.
Beyond his corporate achievements, he was known as a devoted family patriarch, mentor and man of deep faith. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren, including his daughter, Dr Awele Elumelu, and was the father‑in‑law of UBA Group Chairman Tony Elumelu.
