Dr. Adaora Umeoji has various professional qualifications from different schools of business prior to her appointment as Zenith Bank Female GMD/CEO.
Dr. Adaora Umeoji was announced the new Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank PLC by the Zenith Bank group on Tuesday 19 March, which shall become effective from June 1, 2034, making her the first ever Zenith Bank Female GMD/CEO.
The announcement was made on Nigerian Exchange group (NGX) corporate filing, which was signed by the group secretary, Michael Osilima.
But before she got this recommendation by members of the Zenith Bank Board of Directors to become the new CEO, Dr. Mrs Umeoji has been serving as the deputy managing director of Zenith Bank since the past six years of active hard work, experience and dedication.
Having served as the deputy managing director of Zenith Bank since 28 October 2016, Mr Adaora has been with Zenith Bank for twenty-six years and has thirty years of productive banking knowledge.
Zenith Bank PLC has always supported women leadership and inclusion at the workplace, offering their female employees the opportunity to reach for their best and build a successful career alongside their male colleagues.
Meanwhile, according to a source, the Zenith Bank Board of Directors’ decision reflects the organisation’s long, deep-rooted belief in and tradition of harnessing young talents and honing their skills on-the-job-training to become well-suited for the leadership roles.
One of the staffers said, “She deserved it, since beginning my job at Zenith bank I have heard so much of her contribution and hard work.
“Even our superiors would make no comments without referencing her name, and I think even as a woman it motivates me to achieve the best I can and inspire others.”
Dr. Adaora Umeoji has various professional qualifications from different schools of business prior to her appointment as Zenith Bank Female GMD/CEO.
She holds a certificate in the Global Banking Program from Columbia Business School. Mrs Umeoji acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Baze University, Abuja and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos.
Mrs Umeoji holds a Master of Laws from the Salford University, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar.
She has a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA, and is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School and successfully completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP).
Mr Umeoji’s Community Service:
Before attaining her new position as the first Zenith Bank Female GMD/CEO, Mr Umeoji has been a Pillar of inspiration for other women and humanity in general.
She is known for her philanthropic service and had founded “Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN)” to promote ethical banking, according to a disclosure.
“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,” it said.
“She 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.”
Mrs Umeoji’s appointment, nevertheless, is subject to the banking system professional ethics weighing and approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
