Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dr. Adaora Umeoji as its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), marking a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to hold this esteemed position within the bank.
The announcement, made by the bank’s secretary, Michael Otu, underscores Zenith Bank’s commitment to its tradition and succession strategy of nurturing leaders from within. Dr. Umeoji’s appointment is set to commence on June 1, 2024, succeeding Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year tenure as GMD/CEO concludes on May 31.
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Here are 10 key insights into the remarkable journey of Dr. Adaora Umeoji:
1. Dr. Umeoji previously served as the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of Zenith Bank, beginning on October 28, 2016.
2. With over three decades of banking experience, Dr. Umeoji boasts an impressive 26-year tenure with Zenith Bank.
3. She is an alumna of the esteemed Harvard Business School, having completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP), and Columbia Business School, where she attained a Certificate in the Global Banking Program.
4. Her academic credentials include 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.
5. Dr. Umeoji holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar, and a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.
6. She has also honed her skills through various executive programs, including Economics for Business at MIT Sloan School of Management and Strategic Management at Wharton Business School, USA.
7. Additionally, Dr. Umeoji has completed executive programs in Strategic Management and Leading Global Business at Harvard Business School, USA.
8. A fellow of esteemed professional bodies such as the Chartered Banker Institute (UK), Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Institute of Management, Dr. Umeoji’s expertise is widely recognized.
9. Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Umeoji is a passionate advocate for peace, affiliated with the United Nations (UN-POLAC).
10. She is also the visionary behind the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform dedicated to advancing ethical banking practices and serving humanity.