Zenith Bank Plc has named Dr. Adaora Umeoji as its Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective June 1, making her the first female to hold this position in the bank’s history.
The announcement was made through a notification sent to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) by the bank’s Company Secretary, Mr. Michael Otu, pending approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Umeoji succeeds Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term as the bank’s Group Managing Director expires on May 31.
The appointment reflects Zenith Bank’s commitment to executive transition tradition, succession planning, and grooming leaders from within.
Umeoji, who has nearly 30 years of banking experience, previously served as the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016, with 26 years of her career spent at Zenith Bank.
She holds a diverse range of academic qualifications, including degrees from prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, and the University of Salford. Additionally, she holds various certifications in economics, management, and strategic thinking from renowned universities worldwide.
Umeoji’s appointment underscores the growing presence of women in leadership positions within Nigeria’s banking sector. Other notable female bank CEOs in Nigeria include Yemisi Edun of FCMB, Miriam Olusanya of GT Bank, Bukola Smith of FSDH Merchant Bank, Oluwatomi Ayodele Somefun of Unity Bank, Bolaji Agbede of Access Holdings Plc, Yetunde Bolanle Oni of Union Bank, Halima Buba of SunTrust Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank, and Kafilat Araoye of Lotus Bank.
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