By Sunday Oyinloye
Yesterday, Zenith Bank Plc. Nigeria appointed Director, Dr. Adora Remy Umeoji as its first female Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Designate, and what followed immediately were jubilations in many branches of the bank across the country.
Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable reliably gathered that the excitement of the staff was based on two major factors; her professional competence and good human relations.
According to a source close to the new Managing Director “She drills staff heavily but rewards them accordingly. She also plays with the staff and motivates them, which made them to love her”
Her appointment takes effect from June 1, 2024 subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria. She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu whose tenure expires on May 31, 2024.
Our Correspondent gathered that her appointment is consistent with the bank’s tradition and succession strategy of grooming leaders from within.
Prior to her appointment, Dr. Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016 and has close to 30 years cognate banking experience, of which 26 has been with Zenith Bank.
She is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School and alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program. Umeoji 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 from the University of Calabar and also a doctorate in Business Administration from Apolios University, USA .
Dr. Umeoji is a Fellow Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Banker 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 Institute of the Chartered Secretaries and Administrations of Nigeria among other professional bodies.
She is a Peace Ambassador of United Nations and a 2022 recipient of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), an honour conferred on her by the Federal Government as a recognition of her contributions to nation building.
The new Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank has also been touching lives through her NGOs, Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation and Adorable Foundation
Dr. Adaora Umeoji founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria, a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity. She is a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International and was awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis
