Zenith Bank Plc on Tuesday, March 20th 2024, has announced the engagement of Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji, as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive with effect from June 1, 2024, subject to the endorsement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Dame (Dr) Umeoji, who is the first female GMD/CEO since the root of the bank, takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term will discontinue on May 31, 2024, after a successful tenure.
Dr Umeoji’s appointment is consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within.
Prior to this appointment, Dr Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016 and has close to 30 years cognate banking experience of which 26 years has been with Zenith Bank.
Dr Umeoji, who is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where she attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and also an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a First-Class Honours in Law from Baze University, Abuja. She also holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar, and has a doctorate degree in business administration from Apollos University, USA.
Dr Umeoji equally 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.
The new Chief Executive of Zenith bank also attended the executive program in Strategic Management, and has a Certificate in Leading Global Business from Harvard Business School, USA.
She 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 the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in recognition of her contributions to nation building.
A Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC), Dr Umeoji has positively 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.
Given her passion for promoting professionalism in the banking industry and improving the well-being of the less privileged, Dr Umeoji, founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.
Dr Adaora Umeoji 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.
