Profile: Meet incoming first female GMD/CEO of Zenith Bank, Adaora Umeji
Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dr. Adaora Umeoji, as the new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank.
The appointment is said to be subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). If approved, Adaora Umeoji will be taking over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, 2024. Her appointment will then take effect from June 1, 2024.
Of significance to note, is the fact that, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMD/CEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within.
However, she has close to 30 years cognate banking experience of which 26 years has been with Zenith Bank.
Before the appointment as GMD/CEO, Dr. Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016.
A brief look into Dr. Adaora Umeoji‘s profile shows a combination of outstanding academic strength and topnotch professional experience which must have endeared and qualified for her recent appointment.
The New Zenith Boss, and a recipient of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), 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 respectively.
Furthermore, 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.
Adaora Umeoji, 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.
Not satisfy yet, she still pursue earn for herself 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.
Whilst also attended the executive program in Strategic Management, and a Certificate in Leading Global Business all from Harvard Business School, USA.
The New Zenith Group Managing Director, 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 honoured 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).
Dr. Adaora has also 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 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, 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.
