Nigeria – Zenith Bank’s First Female GMD

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive with effect from June 1, 2024, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, 2024, after a very successful tenure. Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMD/CEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within..

Things to know about (Dr.) Adaora Umeojimeoji:

1. Umeoji graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos.
2. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Law, with a first-class honour, from Baze University, Abuja.
3. Umeoji obtained a Master of Law from the University of Salford, UK, and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Calabar.
4. She completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.
5. Umeoji also attended the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA.
6. She holds certificates in Strategic Management and Leading Global Business from Harvard Business School, USA.
7. Umeoji completed the Global Banking Programme from Columbia Business School.
8. She earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from Apollos University, USA.
9. Umeoji holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from MIT Sloan School of Management, USA.
10. She is a fellow of various prestigious institutes including the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, and others.

Additionally, Umeoji founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria and received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger in 2022 for her contributions to nation-building. She is also a Peace Advocate for the United Nations (UN-POLAC) and has 30 years of experience in the banking sector, serving as the Deputy Managing Director of the bank before her appointment as CEO.