Union Bank of Nigeria has been awarded the Best SME Growth Banking Initiatives Award for 2025, further strengthening its reputation as a leading supporter of small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria.
The award was presented by the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria during the Nigeria National SME Business Awards recently held in Lagos.
The recognition highlights the bank’s strategic role in supporting the growth and resilience of SMEs through specialised financial solutions designed to promote business expansion, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation.
Receiving the award on behalf of the bank, Ayokunnumi Abraham described the honour as a strong endorsement of the institution’s commitment to Nigeria’s SME sector.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition, which reflects Union Bank’s continued commitment to helping SMEs grow by making banking simpler, faster, and more accessible,” Abraham said.
He explained that improvements to the bank’s specialised platforms, including Union360, have significantly reduced onboarding time for businesses and improved transaction efficiency for SME customers.
“Through enhancements to our specialised platforms, such as Union360, we have meaningfully reduced the time it takes for businesses to come on board and begin transacting,” he added.
According to Abraham, the digital transformation initiatives introduced by the bank have also increased digital adoption among SME customers while accelerating the acquisition of new business clients.
“Our focus remains on delivering practical solutions that help Nigerian businesses thrive,” he stated.
The awards event, organised by the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, brought together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to celebrate organisations contributing to the development of Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.
Established in 1917, Union Bank of Nigeria remains one of Nigeria’s oldest financial institutions and continues to provide a broad range of banking and financial services under its “Simpler, Smarter Banking” philosophy.
The bank currently operates more than 300 branches nationwide and offers digital services spanning mobile banking, trade finance, equipment leasing, and other business-focused financial solutions aimed at supporting sustainable growth across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
