Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc on Friday, hosted the 60th President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chief Davidson C. S. Alaribe, FCA, in a meeting aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation between both institutions.

The meeting signalled a pivotal moment in the relationship between the two institutions, as they explored strategic partnerships aimed at driving mutual growth and development in the financial and accounting sectors.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who welcomed the ICAN President and his high-profile delegation, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and assured that the bank is ready and willing to support the institution in its drive for excellence.

He said, “UBA is proud to be home to a significant number of ICAN members, whose expertise has been instrumental to our success as Africa’s global bank. This visit reaffirms our shared commitment to excellence and innovation.

Continuing, Alawuba stated, “We are particularly excited about potential collaboration in the Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP), training initiatives, and other business opportunities that will create a win-win for both organisations.”

The delegation had distinguished members of the institute’s council and executive team, including Immediate Past President of ICAN; Mr. Oladele Nuraini Oladipo, FCA, ICAN Council Member; Dr. Oluseyi Oladimeji Olanrewaju, FCA, ICAN’s Honorary Treasurer; Mr. Biodun Adedeji, FCA, ICAN Council Member; and Dr. Lanre Olasunkanmi, FCA, Registrar/Chief Executive of ICAN.

Alaribe who was visibly excited at the corroboration between both organisations, said, “UBA is not just a financial powerhouse in Nigeria but a global leader with a strong presence across Africa and beyond. ICAN recognises the immense value UBA brings to the table, and we are excited to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas such as capacity building, professional development, and business expansion. This partnership will undoubtedly benefit our members and the broader financial ecosystem.”

The discussions also focused on several key areas of collaboration in capacity building, Joint training programmes to enhance the skills of accounting professionals and UBA staff, collaborating on initiatives to promote ethical standards, financial literacy, and best practices in accounting and finance and setting up a branch of ICAN at the UBA House.

This historic meeting marks a significant milestone in the relationship between UBA and ICAN, two institutions committed to driving excellence and innovation in the financial and accounting professions. Both parties expressed optimism about the future and pledged to work closely to achieve their shared goals.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) is the leading professional accounting body in Nigeria, established to regulate the practice of accountancy and promote excellence in the profession. With over 50,000 members, ICAN is dedicated to advancing the science of accountancy and fostering ethical standards in the industry.

United Bank for Africa is Africa’s Global Bank. Operating across twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology. UBA is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally.

The United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a travel ban on 43 countries, according to a Reuters report on Saturday citing an internal memo and officials familiar with the matter.

The memo categorizes the 43 countries into three groups: red, orange, and yellow.

Although the list is yet to be approved by the Trump administration, it includes several African nations, excluding Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, and Egypt.

Red Group – 11 Countries (Total Ban)

Nationals from the following 11 countries would be barred from entering the US:

Afghanistan

Iran

Sudan

Syria

Libya

Cuba

Bhutan

Venezuela

North Korea

Yemen

Somalia

Orange Group – 10 Countries (Visa Restrictions)

Visa access would be severely restricted for nationals from these 10 countries:

Russia

Belarus

Myanmar

Sierra Leone

South Sudan

Pakistan

Laos

Turkmenistan

Haiti

Eritrea

Yellow Group – 22 Countries (60-Day Compliance Window)

The following 22 countries have been given 60 days to address concerns before further action is taken:

Angola

Antigua and Barbuda

Benin

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo

Dominica

Equatorial Guinea

Gambia

Liberia

Malawi

Mali

Mauritania

St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Lucia

São Tomé and Príncipe

Vanuatu

Zimbabwe

Uncertainty Over Final Approval

The New York Times was the first to report the proposed visa ban list. However, a US official told Reuters that changes could still be made before final approval, which includes review by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The proposal is part of Trump’s immigration crackdown, which he intensified at the start of his second term in January.

The United States has officially designated Ebrahim Rasool, the South African ambassador, as persona non grata.

A persona non grata is a status given to a foreign diplomat whom the host country has requested to be recalled.

Late Friday night, Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, declared in a tweet that Rasool is no longer welcome in the country.

“Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS,” Rubio stated.

“We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.”

Rubio’s statement was a response to Rasool’s recent remarks made during an online lecture about the Donald Trump administration.

“What Donald Trump is launching is an assault on incumbency, those who are in power, by mobilising a supremacism against the incumbency, at home… and abroad,” Rasool had stated.

This development adds further strain to the already fragile relationship between South Africa and the US, which has been under tension following controversies over land ownership policies in South Africa.

The Expropriation Act, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January, grants the South African government the authority to seize land without compensation under specific conditions to address historical inequalities from the apartheid era.

In response, US President Donald Trump halted funding to South Africa, describing the law as a “massive” violation of human rights.

The South African government has consistently rejected these claims and has been seeking to engage in discussions with Trump to resolve the matter.