Zenith Bank Plc has appointed Dr. Adaora Umeoji as its new Group Managing Director on Tuesday.
Umeoji's appointment as the GMD of the bank makes her the first female to hold the position.
After the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, ends his tenure on May 31, she will take over.
According to a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Michael Otu, her appointment will be effective from June 1, 2024.
PUNCH Online highlights 10 things to know about Umeoji in this article.
- She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos.
- She also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and achieved a first-class honour in Law from Baze University, Abuja.
- She received a Master of Law from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Calabar.
- She took part in the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.
- At Wharton Business School, USA, she attended the strategic thinking and Management programme.
- She also completed the executive programme in Strategic Management and holds a Certificate in Leading Global Business, all from Harvard Business School, USA.
- She holds a certificate in the Global Banking Programme from the Columbia Business School.
- The first female Zenith Bank GMD holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Apollos University, USA.
- She obtained a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA.
- She is a member of various institutes including the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Credit Administration and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria.
- She established the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria.
- In 2022, Umeoji was awarded the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger for her contributions to nation-building by the Federal Government.
- She is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC).
- The CEO has 30 years of experience in the banking sector.
- Before her appointment, Umeoji had been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016.