Jobs/Appointments
How to Improve the Efficacy of Your Remote Workforce
With the increasing prevalence of remote work, companies are looking for ways to make the most of their remote workforce and maximize its efficacy. As such, businesses must understand how to improve the performance of their remote teams and find effective strategies to ensure successful outcomes.
1. Effective Communication
Clear and consistent employee voice needs to be included in improving the efficacy of a remote workforce. Employers should incorporate feedback from their employees, such as through hosting employee surveys or questionnaires, to get an idea of what is working, what could use some improvement, and how they can make the remote working experience better for everyone.
It is standard employee input that will help to eliminate any potential issues before they arise. Additionally, employers should aim to foster a sense of community amongst their team members by organizing virtual meetings or check-ins where issues can be openly discussed and reliably addressed. This fosters meaningful communication between teammates and encourages creative ideas that benefit the team.
2. Appropriate Training
Another way to enhance the performance of your remote workforce is by providing appropriate training and development opportunities. Companies should ensure that all remote workers have access to the same educational materials they would receive if they worked in an office environment.
By giving employees access to online classes or webinars, businesses can ensure that their employees are up-to-date with the latest advancements in their field. Companies should also consider offering incentives or rewards when goals are met to give staff an extra incentive for performing better than expected, and many IT teams now also recommend policies to avoid using RDP in favor of more secure remote access solutions.
3. Creating a Sense of Community
Something else employers should focus on when trying to improve the efficacy of their remote workforce is creating a sense of community amongst team members. Although this may be harder due to the physical distance between members, there are still plenty of ways for organizations to foster workplace friendships and build trust within teams – holding virtual happy hours or game nights are just some examples of what can be done remotely. Regular catch-ups allow team members to get comfortable with one another, encouraging collaboration and creativity when working together on projects.
4. Track Employee Progress
In addition, employers should consider taking measures that keep track of employee progress so they can more accurately measure performance levels among individuals regularly. Utilizing time-tracking apps or automated attendance reports are just some solutions businesses can implement which help them identify any potential issues early on with greater accuracy. Setting clear objectives and measurable outcomes also provides teams with something tangible they can aim toward while helping managers identify areas where additional support is required.
5. Keep Morale High
Employers must keep morale high amongst their remote staff by recognizing successes often while acknowledging challenges they face along the way – big and small wins! Showing appreciation through compliments or praise goes a long way towards making staff feel appreciated even though they might not physically be present every day like those who work out of an office environment would be.
Employers can also create awards programs that recognize outstanding performances throughout different departments or particular milestones achieved by individuals. These initiatives not only help boost morale but can also act as motivation for others striving towards achieving similar feats within the company too!
6. Access to All the Appropriate Tools
Finally, ensure your remote workers have access to all the tools to do their job effectively and efficiently. This means having a reliable internet connection and up-to-date hardware such as computers or laptops. Investing in cloud storage solutions such as Dropbox or Google Drive can enable collaboration among team members worldwide.
Furthermore, if certain applications or software programs are required for certain tasks, make sure those are readily available for your employees so that there won’t be any unnecessary delays or roadblocks along the way.
Conclusion
Improving efficiencies amongst your remote workforce requires careful consideration from both employer and employee alike – it’s crucial for companies who wish for success out of this venture! With technology growing ever more advanced every day now more than ever before, there exists plenty of solutions available that facilitate better communication and collaboration amongst teams no matter where each member may reside geographically. Taking advantage of such advances will go far towards helping organizations reach greater heights quicker than they thought possible beforehand.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In line with the 12-year tenure prescribed for non-executive directors of banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Tony Elumelu will on August 21, 2026, cease to be chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.
The board of the financial institution at its meeting on July 6, 2026, has elected Mr Emmanuel Nnorom as the new chairman.
In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the lender said Mr Elumelu’s successor, a non-executive director of the company, will assume the new role on August 21, 2026.
Mr Nnorom is a chartered accountant with over 40 years of experience in banking, finance and audit. He brings to the role extensive leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge of UBA.
“I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and deeply conscious of the legacy I inherit.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, management and our staff across all our markets to sustain UBA’s momentum and continue delivering long-term value to our shareholders, customers and stakeholders,” Mr Nnorom stated.
Commenting on his retirement, Mr Elumelu said, “Serving United Bank for Africa has been one of the great privileges of my career.
“UBA has a unique competitive position, across Africa and globally, and I leave the Board with great confidence in UBA’s future.
“Emmanuel Nnorom is a leader of integrity, experience and sound judgement, and I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive under his leadership.”
The board thanked him for his visionary leadership and exceptional contribution to the growth, transformation and institutional strength of the UBA Group.
By Adedapo Adesanya
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mr Courage Obadagbonyi as Managing Director, effective July 1, 2026, succeeding Mr Jeethu Jose and becoming the first Nigerian to hold the post.
The appointment reflects the organisation’s continued focus on developing strong leadership from within its global talent pool while ensuring sustained growth and operational excellence.
A seasoned executive with more than two decades of international experience, Mr Obadagbonyi has held leadership roles across finance, operations and general management at leading global organisations, including APM Terminals, General Electric and Lafarge.
Prior to this appointment, he served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the APM Terminals Nigeria cluster, with responsibility for financial strategy across Nigeria and San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire.
He also served in an acting capacity as Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa between 2025 and March 2026, further strengthening his operational leadership experience.
With experience spanning sectors such as oil and gas, power generation, logistics and healthcare, Mr Obadagbonyi brings deep expertise in financial management, risk optimisation and business performance.
Speaking on his appointment, he said, “I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place at WACT. The terminal plays a critical role in connecting businesses in Eastern Nigeria to global markets, and we will continue to focus on safe, reliable and efficient operations.”
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr Frederik Klinke, noted that the appointment reflects the company’s commitment to leadership development and long-term growth.
“Across APM Terminals globally, we see strong collaboration and talent development across our teams. This appointment reflects the depth of experience within our organisation and our continued focus on building capabilities that support sustainable growth. Nigerians have continued to distinguish themselves through exceptional performance and leadership. Colleagues from our Apapa and Onne terminals have contributed their expertise internationally while also bringing back valuable best practices to strengthen operations in Nigeria.”
He added that Mr Obadagbonyi’s experience would support the next phase of operational excellence and value delivery at WACT.
The outgoing MD, Mr Jose, said, “It has been a privilege to lead WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria during a period of meaningful progress. The team has built a strong platform for the future, and I am confident in the continued success of the organisation.”
West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals in Onne, Rivers State, is one of Nigeria’s leading container terminals, having commenced commercial operations in 2006.
The company has continued to invest in capacity expansion and modernisation, including a $115 million terminal upgrade project launched in 2020. The upgrade also includes the deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity, as well as the expansion of the existing yard, a new workshop, a new terminal auto gate, modernised offices and state-of-the-art technology. These investments have enhanced efficiency, strengthened service delivery and reinforced WACT’s role as an important gateway for trade beyond Lagos.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A new member has joined the board of Unilever Nigeria Plc, and she is Mrs Modupe Femi-Okunbanjo, who was appointed as an executive director of the organisation.
Her appointment, according to a statement from the company, is effective June 30, 2026. It followed the resignation of Mr Ibrahim Sodipe as an executive director of the firm with effect from June 30, 2026.
Mr Sodipe was praised for his valuable service and significant contributions to the entity, particularly in driving improved turnover and profitability and supporting Unilever Nigeria’s continued progress towards sustainable and profitable growth.
Mrs Femi-Okunbanjo was described as an accomplished finance and governance leader who, for more than 15 years, has steered finance teams, shaped strategy, and strengthened risk management frameworks in the fast-moving consumer goods and telecommunications sectors.
She is currently the Financial Controller of Nigeria and Regional Controls Lead for West Africa at Unilever Nigeria, where she oversees financial governance, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management.
Her work has been pivotal in embedding ethical leadership and data-driven decision-making at board level, while ensuring organisations remain resilient in the face of shifting market dynamics.
The new board member has established a reputation for elevating financial reporting, advancing audit excellence, and strengthening governance frameworks, thereby positioning organisations for sustainable growth and long-term value creation.
In her previous roles, she has a consistent track record of delivering margin expansion, enhancing governance & control environments, and leading transformation in challenging macroeconomic conditions.
She is equally committed to developing future talent and advancing financial literacy among younger generations.
Prior to her joining Unilever Nigeria Plc in 2018, Mrs Femi-Okunbanjo held key roles at UAC of Nigeria Plc, Helios Towers Nigeria, and Makasa Sun Nigeria Limited, where she pioneered control frameworks from the ground up, eliminating revenue leakages, digitising operations and embedding financial discipline.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Lagos State University and an MBA with Specialisation in Strategy from the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, UK.
