Zenith Bank Names Adaora Umeoji First Female GMD/CEO
Zenith Bank Plc. has appointed Adaora Umeoji as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO), making her the first woman to hold the position in the bank’s history.
Umeoji’s appointment, effective June 1, 2024, reflects Zenith Bank’s commitment to leadership development and internal promotion. She succeeds Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term concludes on May 31st.
Umeoji brings a wealth of experience to the role, boasting over 30 years in banking, with 26 years dedicated to Zenith Bank itself. Her impressive academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and a First-Class honors degree in Law, alongside an MBA, an LLM, and a Doctorate in Business Administration.
Umeoji’s extensive qualifications are further bolstered by her participation in prestigious programs at Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, Wharton Business School, and MIT Sloan School of Management. She is also a fellow of several professional bodies and a recognized advocate for ethical banking practices.
This appointment signifies a significant milestone for Zenith Bank and Nigerian business as a whole. Umeoji’s rise through the ranks exemplifies the bank’s successful leadership development strategy and paves the way for future generations of female leaders in the industry.
