- A social media video shows Zenith Bank staff celebrating Adaora Umeoji’s appointment as the first female CEO.
- On March 19th, 2024, Zenith Bank appointed Adaora Umeoji as its first female Group Managing Director/Chief Executive.
- The Central Bank of Nigeria will approve her appointment, which will be effective from June 1, 2024.
A video has gone viral on social media, capturing the touching moment Zenith Bank employees jump for joy when Adaora Umeoji is introduced as the bank’s first female CEO.
On Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, Zenith Bank appointed Adaora Umeoji as its first female Group Managing Director/Chief Executive.
According to the bank, her appointment will take effect on June 1, 2024, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Umeoji had previously served as the bank’s Deputy Managing Director from October 28, 2016. She spent 26 years of her work at Zenith Bank, bringing her total banking experience to over 30 years.
“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,” Zenith Bank said in a Tuesday statement.
However, a video that has gone viral online shows the moment when Zenith Bank employees, particularly women, get overjoyed as they rush to celebrate with Adaora Umeoji as she becomes CEO of Zenith Bank.
CEO Adaora Umeoji also greeted them warmly, as they celebrated together in an environment that exudes nothing but joyful energy.
The bank statement also mentioned her educational history, stating that she is a graduate of the famous Harvard Business School, where she completed the Advanced Management Programme (AMP), and Columbia Business School, where she received a Certificate in the Global Banking Programme.
She also has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Jos, as well as bachelor’s degrees in accounting and law with first-class honours from Baze University in Abuja. She earned a Master of Laws from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar. She has also earned a PhD in business administration from Apollos University in the United States.
See thirteen things about Adaora Umeoji, the first female CEO of Zenith Bank, below:
Umeoji has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Jos.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and first-class honours in Law from Baze University in Abuja.
She possesses a Master of Law from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calabar.She attended Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme.Umeoji attended the Strategic Thinking and Management curriculum at Wharton Business School in the United States.
She also completed the executive programme in Strategic Management and holds a Certificate in Leading Global Business from Harvard Business School in the United States.
The new GMD holds a certificate from Columbia Business School’s Global Banking Programme.
The first female Zenith Bank GMD holds a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University in the United States.
She earned a Certificate in Economics for Business from the famed MIT Sloan School of Management in the United States.
She is a fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute in the United Kingdom, the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Institute of Credit Administration, and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, among others.
She founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria.
Umeoji received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger from the Federal Government in 2022 in appreciation of her efforts to nation-building.
She is a United Nations Peace Advocate (UN-POLAC).
The CEO has 30 years’ expertise in the financial industry.
Prior to her promotion, Umeoji served as the bank’s Deputy Managing Director from October 28, 2016.
Watch video below
@infinity_boss79: I remember that year when she was promoted to Branch Manager and the other Ogas carry face go meet Ovia they were like she’s too young, she has no experience for the job besides she never too tey for the bank and Oga JIM OVIA told them Bring in the kind of money she’s bringing in and I will promote you CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ADAORA ZENITH Maitama branch will not forget you.
@dr.cado: For a female to make it to an MD in any Nigeria bank. Those in banking know the story.
@official_onyiioj: Since my youth service year in 2007 in Abuja, This lady has been strong in Zenith Bank Maitama Branch then. Very exceptional……. Congratulations Queen, well deserved appointment ❤.
wytlove0: Igbo women at it again.
@avalonokpe: The original meaning of SLAY QUEEN.
@asiwajuatinuke: That’s how I’m going to be the first female governor of Lagos state.
@professoroffood: This woman put in the work o….from Zenith Bank Maitama days! It has finally paid off for her. Congratulations .
@funaya_: Love to see women winning. Congrats baby girl!!!.