Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dr. Adaora Umeoji, as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2024, pending approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). She succeeds Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose illustrious five-year term ends on May 31.
The bank in a statement noted that Umeoji’s ascension to this position marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first female to hold the GMD/CEO position in the bank’s history and that this appointment aligns with Zenith Bank’s tradition of executive transition, succession planning, and commitment to nurturing talent from within its ranks.
Prior to this promotion, Umeoji served as the Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank since October 28, 2016, bringing with her nearly thirty years of extensive banking experience, of which twenty-six years have been dedicated to Zenith Bank’s growth and success.
It states: “She is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where she attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a First-Class honors in Law from Baze University, Abuja. She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar, and also has a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.
“She holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA, and has attended various management programmes in renowned Universities around the world including the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA. She also attended the executive program in Strategic Management, and has a Certificate in Leading Global Business all from Harvard Business School, USA.
“She is a fellow of notable professional bodies including the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Credit Administration, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria among others.
It added that in 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honored Dr. Umeoji with Officer of the Order of the Niger, as a recognition of her contributions to nation-building and is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC).
“She has impacted many lives through her philanthropic and humanitarian activities through her NGOs; Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation and the Adorable Foundation that educates, caters for Cancer patients and indigent children education, especially the Girl-Child. Her contribution to humanity was recognised by the Sun Newspaper which recently bestowed on her the Humanitarian Service Icon Award for 2023.
“As a result of her passion for promoting professionalism in the banking industry and improving the well-being of the less privileged, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity. She is a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and was awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis,” it stated.
By Nume Ekeghe
