Zenith Bank Plc on Tuesday appointed Dame Adaora Umeoji as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO) to assume her new role from June 2024.
She will be the first female to lead the bank.
Her appointment is, however, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Umeoji will take over from the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose time in office expires on May 31.
Here are 21 things to know about Adaora Umeoji
1. She has about 30 years of banking experience with 26 of them spent working with Zenith Bank.
2. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos,
3. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
4. She holds a first-class honours Bachelor’s degree in Law from Baze University Abuja.
5. She holds a Master’s degree in Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom.
6. Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Calabar (MBA)
7. Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from Apollos University, Montana, USA.
8. Umeoji joined Zenith Bank in 1998, and since joining the bank, she headed the marketing group Maitama branch and went on to be the deputy zonal head of the Abuja Zone.
9. She then became executive director in charge of Abuja and Middle Belt Zones of the Bank.
10. She was appointed to the board on October 9, 2012.
11. She is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
12. She has a certificate in Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School
13. Certificate in Strategic thinking and management programme at Wharton Business School, Pennsylvania, USA
14. Certificate in Leading Global Businesses from Harvard Business School, Boston, USA.
15. She holds a certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Management Sloan School and a Certificate in Leading Global Businesses from Harvard Business School, USA.
16. She is a fellow of several professional bodies including the Chartered Bankers Institute of London, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the Institute of Credit Administration, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Meditators & Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria, among others.
17. Beyond banking, Umeoji founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.
18. She is a peace advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC), and a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI).
19. She was recently awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.
20. In 2022, the Federal Government honoured her with Officer of the Order of Nigeria as a recognition of her contributions to nation-building.
21Adaora hails from Ezinifite in Aguata LGA and married to a renowned Medical Doctor and businessman, Dr. Emmanuel Nwokoye, from Achalla in Awka North LGA, both in Anambra state. Their union is blessed with children.
