Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji Makes History as First Female Zenith Bank’s GMD/CEO

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 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose 5-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.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016 and has close to thirty (30) years cognate banking experience of which twenty-six (26) years have been with Zenith Bank.

She is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where she attended the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) and an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a certificate in the Global Banking Programme.

She 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 (MBA) 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.

Umeoji also attended the executive programme in Strategic Management, and has a certificate in Leading Global Business all from Harvard Business School, USA.

She is a fellow of notable professional bodies, including the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Credit Administration, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria among others.

In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honored Dr. Umeoji with Officer of the Order of the Niger, in recognition of her contributions to nation building.

She is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC).

Umeoji has impacted many lives through her philanthropic and humanitarian activities through her NGOs, Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation and the Adorable Foundation that educates, caters for cancer patients and indigent children’s education, especially the girl-child.

Her contribution to humanity was recognized by the Sun Newspaper which recently bestowed on her the Humanitarian Service Icon Award for 2023.

As a result of her passion for promoting professionalism in the banking industry and improving the well-being of the less privileged, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.

Umeoji is a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and was awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.