Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the next Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Zenith Bank Plc with effect from June 1, 2024, subject to approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Here under are some quick facts on Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, and her journey to becoming the first female Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zenith Bank:

1. Adaora Umeoji’s appointment marks a historic milestone as the first female to hold the GMD/CEO position at Zenith Bank and a tier bank in the country.

2. Umeoji succeeds Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year tenure ends on May 31, 2024.

3. As the first female CEO of tier-1 bank, she brings over 30 years of banking experience, with 26 years at Zenith Bank, where she previously served as Deputy Managing Director since October 28, 2016.

4. She is the founder of the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), and she is known for promoting ethical banking and humanitarian service.

5. Recognised as a peace advocate by the United Nations (UN-POLAC), Umeoji received the Officer of the Order of Nigeria (OON) national honour from the Nigerian government in 2022 for her nation-building efforts.

6. She 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.

7. Her educational achievements also include a Master’s of Laws from the University of Salford, UK, and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar.

8. Umeoji’s academic pursuits extend to a Doctorate in Business Administration from Apollos University, USA, and a Certificate in Economics for Business from MIT Sloan School of Management, USA.

9. She has completed executive programmes in Strategic Management at Harvard Business School and attended the Global Banking Program at Columbia Business School.

10. Additionally, Umeoji participated in management programs at various renowned universities worldwide, including Wharton Business School, USA, and has a certificate in Leading Global Business from Harvard Business School.

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