By Nik Ogbulie
In keeping with its age-long tradition of finding comfortable replacement internally, the Board of the bank has approved Dr Adaora Umeoji as successor to Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose tenure as Group Managing Director comes to an end soon.This appointment has accorded the bank some four unbroken times of appointing its GMD from among its ranks in keeping with an established succession plan, believed to have been one of the major reasons for the stability in its leadership and the building blocks for respect in the industry and trust by its teaming customers.
The appointment was a celebration of some kind by the female staff of the bank who expressed some level of recognition and respect by the bank’s Board .There are strong indications that the bank which has a very large female population would offer every support to thenew GMD so as to further uplift the image of womanhood.
A good number of the bank’s female staff who spoke to MoneyReport Magazine are of the opinion that her predecessor has laid a formidable track record to build on but insisted that she would earn the loyalty of all to maintain their leadership position in the industry.
A top executive of a competing bank in the Tier-1 category told MoneyReport this evening that “the choice of Umeoji is a masterstroke which is capable of turning the apple chart in the industry as none of the Tier-1 bank’s can summon the courage under normal condition to take such a strategic but difficult decision.”
The appointment which is seen as a loud applause to womanhood immideately after the global ceremony and honour to women around the globe comes handy as Nigerians crave for more roles to women at that level of responsibility.She will be the first female to hold this position in the bank where she currently serves as the deputy GMD.
The cheery news was contained in the Bank’s notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investment public.According to the statement which revealed that her appointment is with effect from June 1, 2024, and subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), she will take over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose tenure expires on May 31, 2024. Zenith Bank prefers to appoint insiders as Group Managing Directors/Chief Executives.The Board of Zenith Bank Plc recently announced the reappointment of Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji as the Deputy Managing Director of the bank after she was initially affected by the ban director tenure limitation under Godwin Emefiele.
According to the statement signed by Micheal Osilama Otu, the Company Secretary the appointment is consistent with the bank’s tradition and succession strategy of grooming leaders from within. Profile of Adaora Umeoji.Prior to this appointment, Dr. Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016, and has close to thirty (30) years of cognate banking experience of which twenty-six (26) years has been with Zenith Bank. 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 Programme.
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 LLaw 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. Umeoji 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.
The top [ banker 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.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.
She 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 which educates and caters to Cancer patients and indigent children education especially the Girl- Child.Her contribution to humanity was recognized 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.
