Adaora Umeoji becomes Zenith Bank’s female CEO

Zenith Bank Plc has announced Dr. Adaora Umeoji as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer(CEO). 

This appointment was contained in a statement signed by the company secretary on Tuesday, Michael Otu, which was filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

Umeoji’s appointment will take effect from June 1st, 2024, following the expiration of office of the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, on May 31, 2024.

“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.

Before this appointment, Umeoji was the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016, and with nearly 30 years of banking experience of which 26 years has been with Zenith Bank.

She is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, where she attended the Advanced Management Programme.

Umeoji is also an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, and a first-class honors degree in law from Baze University, Abuja.