Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
Unity Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole as the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), following the retirement of Mrs. Oluwatomi Somefun, who has completed her tenure. This transition was confirmed during the bank’s 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos on March 19, 2025.
Truth Live News learnt that the apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted the necessary approval for Mr. Kolawole’s appointment, ensuring regulatory compliance in this leadership change.
Mr. Kolawole brings over three decades of experience in banking and financial services to his new role. His career commenced in 1992 at Caribbean Finance Limited in Kaduna. He later joined Ecobank, where he advanced to the position of Deputy Financial Controller. At Standard Trust Bank (STB), he played a pivotal role in the merger with United Bank for Africa (UBA), subsequently serving as UBA’s Chief Financial Officer. His expertise was further honed as the Group Chief Finance Officer at Mainstreet Bank, where he led significant transformation initiatives. Mr. Kolawole also contributed to corporate business development during his tenure at Globacom, Nigeria’s leading indigenous telecommunications company.
In 2015, Mr. Kolawole joined Unity Bank as the Executive Director overseeing Finance and Operations, a role in which he demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision.
Mrs. Somefun, who assumed the role of MD/CEO in August 2015, has had a distinguished career spanning over 35 years. Her tenure at Unity Bank was marked by significant contributions to various segments, including Treasury, Investment Banking, Corporate Banking, Retail, and Commercial Banking Operations. Prior to joining Unity Bank, she held notable positions at UBA Group, where she led two major subsidiaries as MD/CEO, including UBA Pensions Custodian. Her career also includes experience with leading consulting firms KPMG and Arthur Andersen.
The appointment of Mr. Kolawole as Acting MD/CEO is part of Unity Bank’s strategic efforts to ensure a seamless leadership transition and to continue its commitment to delivering value to its stakeholders. The bank’s Board of Directors expressed confidence in Mr. Kolawole’s ability to steer the institution towards sustained growth and innovation in the Nigerian banking sector.
As Unity Bank embarks on this new chapter, the institution remains focused on strengthening its operations and enhancing customer satisfaction under Mr. Kolawole’s leadership.