Zenith Bank, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has made a historic appointment, appointing Dr. Adaora Umeoji as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The announcement was made on Tuesday in a statement signed by the company secretary, Michael Otu, and filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
Dr. Adaora Umeoji’s tenure will begin on June 1, 2024, after the tenure of the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, ends on May 31, 2024.
In a significant milestone for gender equality in banking, Dr. Adaora Umeoji becomes the first female GMDCEO in the history of Zenith Bank. The appointment reflects the bank’s commitment to its tradition of leadership transfer, succession planning and strategy of nurturing leaders from within.
Prior to her promotion, Dr. Adaora Umeoji served as Deputy General Manager of Zenith Bank since 28 October 2016. With nearly three decades of experience in the banking industry, including an impressive 26 years at Zenith Bank, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role.
Dr. Umeoji’s educational background is equally impressive. She holds a BA in Sociology from University of Jos and bachelor’s degrees in accounting and law, both with distinction, from Baze UniversityAbuja. In addition, she also holds a Master of Laws degree from University of SalfordUK and MBA from University of Calabar. Dr. Umeoji also received his doctorate in business administration from Apollos UniversityUSA.
Dr. Adaora Umeoji
Furthermore, Dr. Umeoji is an alumnus of prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School And Columbia Business Schoolwhere she completed the Advanced Management Program and received a Certificate in Global Banking. She has also attended management programs at renowned universities around the world, including MIT Sloan School of Management And Wharton School of BusinessUSA.
With her extensive experience, exceptional expertise and dedication to excellence, Dr. Adaora Umeoji is poised to lead Zenith Bank into a new era of growth and innovation. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the bank and for women in leadership roles in the Nigerian banking industry.
