Joel Osaigbovo Aluge, Reporting
BeninCity, Edo State
Zenith Bank Appointed Dr. Adaora Umeoji as the Group Managing Director
This appointment makes Umeoji the first female to be appointed as the GMD of the bank.
She will be taking over from the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, after his time in office expires on May 31.
Her appointment is to take effect June 1, 2024, according to a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Michael Otu.
In this piece, PUNCH Online highlights 10 things to know about Umeoji:
Umeoji holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos.
She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a first-class honour in Law from Baze University, Abuja.
She holds a Master of Law from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, as well as a Master in Business Administration from the University of Calabar.
She attended the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.
Umeoji attended the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA.
She also attended the executive programme in Strategic Management and has a Certificate in Leading Global Business all from Harvard Business School, USA.
The new GMD holds a certificate in the Global Banking Programme from the Columbia Business School.
The first female Zenith Bank GMD has a Doctorate in Business Administration from Apollos University, USA.
She holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA.
She is a fellow of 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 among others.
She is the founder of the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria.
In 2022, Umeoji was honoured with the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, as a recognition of 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 has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016.
