The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has firmly denied a viral social media report alleging that its Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, has divorced his wife, describing the claim as entirely false, malicious, and deliberately engineered to mislead the public.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the pan-African financial institution said the publication circulating across various online platforms had no factual basis and should be disregarded in its entirety. The bank stressed that the report represents a growing wave of misinformation targeting high-profile business leaders in Nigeria and across the continent.
“The attention of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) has been drawn to a false and malicious story circulating on social media claiming that our Group Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has divorced his wife. This claim is completely untrue and should be disregarded,” the statement read.
The bank further cautioned against the spread of unverified content, noting that such narratives not only distort public perception but also pose reputational risks to individuals and corporate institutions. It reaffirmed Elumelu’s continued leadership role within the organisation and urged the public to rely solely on official communication channels for accurate information.
Tony Elumelu, one of Africa’s most prominent business figures, chairs UBA as well as Heirs Holdings and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which focuses on entrepreneurship development across the continent. He is widely regarded as a key voice in African private sector development and investment advocacy.
The incident underscores the increasing challenge faced by corporations in managing misinformation in the digital age, where viral claims can spread rapidly before verification. Analysts note that reputational integrity has become a critical asset for financial institutions, particularly those with cross-border operations such as UBA.
In recent years, Nigerian companies and executives have increasingly been targeted by false narratives online, prompting more aggressive public rebuttals and digital monitoring strategies.
UBA’s swift response reflects a broader trend among listed firms to protect brand equity and investor confidence in an environment where information, accurate or otherwise can significantly influence public trust and market sentiment.
