Zenith Bank has appointed Adaora Umeoji as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), marking a significant milestone in the bank’s history.
The announcement was made through a corporate filing on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) on Tuesday, signed by the bank’s Secretary, Michael Osilima.
Adaora Umeoji’s appointment is set to commence on June 1, 2024, succeeding Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose tenure as GMD/CEO ends on May 31 this year.
Adaora Umeoji Biography
Prior to her appointment, Umeoji served as the deputy managing director of Zenith since October 28, 2016, as outlined in the bank’s corporate filing.
With over 30 years of banking experience, 26 of which have been with Zenith Bank, Umeoji brings extensive expertise to her new role.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a First-Class honors in Law from Baze University, Abuja.
Umeoji pursued further education with a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar.
Additionally, she holds a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.
Umeoji’s professional development includes training at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, and MIT Sloan School of Management, where she acquired certificates and honed her skills in various management programs.
She is affiliated with several professional bodies, including the Chartered Banker Institute, UK; Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions to nation-building, she was honored with the title of Officer of the Order of Nigeria (OON) by the federal government of Nigeria in 2022.
As an advocate for peace under the United Nations (UN-POLAC) and the founder of the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), Umeoji is committed to promoting ethical banking practices and serving humanity.
Her appointment as the first female MD of Zenith Bank reflects the bank’s commitment to diversity and leadership excellence.
