Meet Dr Adaora Umeoji, Zenith Bank First Female GMD
Zenith Bank Plc has appointed Dr. Adaora Umeoji as its new Group Managing Director, effective June 1, 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Michael Otu, which was filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Tuesday.
Umeoji will take over from the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose time in office expires May 31.
“Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMDCEO 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,” part of the statement read.
Her Profile
Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016 and has close to 30 years of banking experience of which 26 years has been with Zenith Bank
She is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, holds 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.
She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration from the University of Calabar, and also 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, and has attended various management programmes in renowned Universities around the world including the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA.
Aside banking, Umeoji founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.
She is a peace advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC), and a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and was recently awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.
In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured her with Officer of the Order of Nigeria, as a recognition of her contributions to nation-building.
With this appointment, Umeoji will join the ranks of female bank MDs in Nigeria and make her the first female MD of the bank.
Adaora Umeoji comes from Anambra state in Eastern part of Nigeria. She is married to Chief Dr. Emmanuel Nwokoye US based medical doctor and business mogul who hails from Achalla in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra state. Their marriage is blessed with six children.
