Zenith Bank Appoints Dame (Dr) Umeoji As GMD/CEO

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji, OON, as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, effective from June 1, 2024, pending approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

She succeeds Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, who completes his successful five-year term on May 31, 2024. Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji makes history as the first female GMD/CEO in the bank’s history, aligning with the bank’s tradition of nurturing leaders internally. Dr Umeoji, with almost thirty years of banking experience, including twenty-six years at Zenith Bank, previously held the position of Deputy Managing Director since October 28, 2016.

She graduated from the esteemed Harvard Business School, completing the Advanced Management Program (AMP), and from Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program. Additionally, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a bachelor’s degree in accounting and graduated with First-Class honors in Law from Baze University, Abuja. Furthermore, she obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, an MBA from the University of Calabar, and holds a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University in the USA.

Moreover, she received a Certificate in Economics for Business from the renowned MIT Sloan School of Management in the USA and has participated in various management programs at prestigious universities worldwide. These include the strategic thinking and Management program at Wharton Business School, USA. She also completed the executive program in Strategic Management and obtained a Certificate in Leading Global Business, all from Harvard Business School, USA.

She is a member of respected professional organizations such as 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.

She has made a significant impact on numerous lives through her philanthropic and humanitarian endeavors with her NGOs, the Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation, and the Adorable Foundation. These organizations focus on educating and supporting cancer patients and underprivileged children, particularly girls. Her dedication to humanity was acknowledged by the Sun Newspaper, which recently honored her with the Humanitarian Service Icon Award for 2023.

Driven by her commitment to enhancing professionalism in the banking sector and uplifting the less fortunate, Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON, established the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN). Through this platform, she advocates for ethical banking practices and serves humanity.

With a remarkable history of excellence and a commitment to innovation, Dame Adaora Umeoji is set to steer Zenith Bank towards a new era of growth and success. Her extensive experience in the financial sector, combined with her visionary leadership approach, positions her perfectly for this role.