UBA Lagos CFC Scandal: Contract staff allege harassment, bullying and systemic abuse

The United Bank for Africa (UBA), one of Afric is embroiled in a deepening internal crisis following explosive allegations of employee harassment, bullying, and unethical leadership practices at its Customer Fulfilment Center (CFC) in Lagos.

In a bombshell email sent anonymously to UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu and senior executives on March 28, staff detailed systemic abuse under CFC Head Uzoamaka Onyeka and Unbound Unit Manager Oluchi Akaeme. Titled “Lack of Acknowledgement and Employee Welfare, Maltreatment and Bullying of Staff”, the email—obtained by investigative outlet FIJ—accuses leadership of verbal abuse, public shaming, and unsafe working conditions.

Copy of the Email sent

Key allegations include:

Verbal Abuse: Managers allegedly referred to staff as “goats” and threatened employees with remarks like “you’ve seen nothing yet.”

Public Humiliation: Low-performing staff reportedly had photos displayed with derogatory titles like “Fatal King/Queen.”

Unlawful Confiscation: Employees claim supervisors illegally seized personal phones during a weekend shift, locking devices away until Monday.

Intrusive Security Patrols: Security officer Enoch allegedly conducted aggressive late-night checks, forcibly removing staff from premises.

UBA’s Response: Lockouts And Investigations

Within hours of the email’s circulation, UBA reportedly locked at least 10 contract staff out of its systems, barring them from the Lagos CFC facility.

Sources confirm the affected employees—some with over a year of service—remain in limbo without formal termination notices, despite contractual obligations for advance warnings or compensation.

UBA spokesperson Ramon Nasir acknowledged the complaint, stating investigations are ongoing but cited “poor work habits” among some staff, including unprofessional attire and time-wasting. Internal audit teams have since tightened facility access, permitting only pre-approved personnel.

Legal And Reputational Risks

Employment contracts reviewed by FIJ reveal UBA’s probationary staff are entitled to two weeks’ notice before termination, while confirmed employees require one month.

Legal experts warn the bank’s handling of the case could breach labor laws, amplifying reputational damage.

The whistleblower email was also forwarded to external auditors KPMG and PwC, raising questions about governance oversight.