Little question, the Nigerian banking business has recorded a number of thrilling developments in latest occasions – its resilience amid home and world headwinds – mirrored within the constant business profitability. However maybe, probably the most intriguing development is the unprecedented traction in direction of gender inclusion, in an business the place the male dominated the board and administration positions, writes James Emejo
It may be argued that the Central Financial institution of Nigeria’s (CBN) efforts in direction of the inclusion of girls in prime positions within the business are starting to yield optimistic outcomes.
The financial institution had issued a coverage that required a minimal of 30 per cent of feminine illustration on boards and 40 per cent on the prime administration degree within the banking spectrum
Right this moment, the rise of feminine chief executives in Nigerian banks underscores the rising recognition of girls’s potential and contribution to the nation’s financial growth, and displays a progressive shift in direction of gender equality and inclusivity in company governance, signaling a departure from conventional patriarchal buildings in direction of a extra equitable and various management paradigm.
Right this moment, 11 feminine bankers have been elevated to imagine the roles of managing administrators and chief executives of banks, a growth deemed as optimistic for the sector and the nation typically.
Incoming GMD/CEO, Zenith Financial institution Plc, Adaora Umeoji
Earlier this week, Zenith Financial institution Plc introduced the appointment of Dr. Adaora Umeoji, as its Group Managing Director/Chief Govt with impact from June 1, 2024. The appointment which is nevertheless topic to approval by the CBN, makes her the primary feminine GMD/CEO because the inception of the financial institution.
She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year time period expires on Might 31, 2024, after a profitable tenure. Umeoji’s appointment was mentioned to be “according to the financial institution’s government transition custom, succession plan, and technique of grooming leaders from inside.”
Previous to the appointment, Umeoji had been the Deputy Managing Director of the financial institution since October 28, 2016 and has near 30 years cognate banking expertise of which 26 years has been with Zenith Financial institution.
She is an alumnus of the celebrated Harvard Enterprise College the place she attended the Superior Administration Program (AMP) and an alumnus of Columbia Enterprise College with a Certificates within the International Banking Program. She holds a Bachelor’s Diploma in Sociology from the College of Jos, a Bachelor’s Diploma in Accounting and a first-class honors in Legislation from Baze College, Abuja.
She holds a Grasp of Legal guidelines from the College of Salford, United Kingdom, a Grasp in Enterprise Administration (MBA) from the College of Calabar, and in addition has a doctorate in enterprise administration from Apollos College, USA.
She holds a Certificates in Economics for Enterprise from the celebrated MIT Sloan College of Administration, USA, and has attended varied administration programmes in famend Universities all over the world together with the strategic pondering and Administration programme at Wharton Enterprise College, USA.
Bolaji Agbede, Performing GMD/CEO, Entry Holdings Plc
Entry Holdings Plc just lately appointed Bolaji Agbede as its Performing Group Chief Govt Officer, after the surprising passing of its former Group Chief Govt Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe. Agbede, till the appointment, was probably the most senior founding Govt Director in control of Enterprise Assist inside the firm. With a powerful skilled background that spans almost three a long time, Agbede’s profession trajectory in banking and enterprise consultancy companies outfitted her with a wealthy mix of experience and strategic acumen.
Her journey started in 1992 at Warranty Belief Financial institution the place she steadily climbed the ranks to managerial positions by 2001 and finally took on the position of Chief Govt Officer at JKG Restricted, a enterprise consulting agency, in 2003.
Her affiliation with Entry Financial institution Plc commenced in 2003 as an Assistant Common Supervisor liable for managing the financial institution’s portfolio of chemical buying and selling corporations. Her management qualities and strategic perception led her to imagine the place of the Financial institution’s Head, Group Human Assets between 2010 and 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s Diploma in Arithmetic and Statistics from the College of Lagos (1990) and a Grasp of Enterprise Administration Diploma from Cranfield College UK in 2002. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Administration UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Administration of Nigeria.
Managing Director/CEO, Constancy Financial institution, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, was appointed Managing Director/Chief Govt of Constancy Financial institution Plc in January 2021, changing into the primary feminine workers to be so elevated within the financial institution’s historical past. Her tenure was just lately prolonged to 2026.
She joined Constancy Financial institution as an Govt Director in 2015. Onyeali-Ikpe holds a Bachelor of Legal guidelines (LLB) diploma from the College of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Grasp of Legal guidelines (LLM) diploma from King’s Faculty, London.
A visionary chief with a powerful observe document in IT and customer support, she has remodeled the financial institution right into a digital frontrunner and dedicated to leveraging know-how to democratise entry to monetary companies for all Nigerians.
Managing Director/CEO, FCMB, Yemisi Edun,
The Board of Administrators of FCMB Group Plc introduced the appointment of Yemisi Edun because the Managing Director and Chief Govt Officer of its largest subsidiary, First Metropolis Monument Financial institution Restricted (the Financial institution) efficient Might 1, 2021 following the approval of the Central Financial institution of Nigeria (CBN).
She was the primary feminine chief government of the financial institution.
Previous to her appointment, Edun was the Govt Director/Chief Monetary Officer of the financial institution and beforehand served because the appearing Managing Director. With a piece expertise spanning almost 35 years, Yemisi Edun holds a Bachelor’s diploma in Chemistry from the College of Ife, Ile-Ife and a Grasp’s diploma in Worldwide Accounting and Finance from the College of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a Licensed Monetary Analyst, CFA Constitution holder. She can also be an Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers; an Affiliate Member of the Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; a Member of Info Methods Audit and Management, U.S.A; and a Licensed Info Methods Auditor.
Managing Director/CEO, Warranty Belief Financial institution Miriam Olusanya
In July 2021, Warranty Belief Holding Firm Plc (GTCO) appointed Miriam Olusanya as the brand new Managing Director/CEO of GTBank, its banking subsidiary.
Olusanya, who till her appointment was an government director on the financial institution, would be the financial institution’s first feminine MD because it was established in 1990.
She has over 23 years of banking expertise throughout varied items, together with transaction companies, asset and legal responsibility administration, monetary markets, company finance and investor relations.
She joined GTbank as an government trainee and rose to the place of basic supervisor till she was appointed government director in 2018.
Miriam is the primary feminine MD within the financial institution’s historical past and holds a bachelor’s diploma in Pharmacy from the College of Ibadan and a Grasp of Enterprise Administration (MBA), majoring in finance and accounting, from the College of Liverpool.
Managing Director/CEO, Citibank Nigeria, Ireti Samuel-Ogbu
In August 2020, Citigroup Inc. appointed Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Managing Director/CEO of Citibank Nigeria.
She was the primary girl to be appointed to the establishments prime place after 36 years of working within the nation.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance from Middlesex College, UK, and an MBA from the College of Bradford, UK.
With in depth expertise in worldwide banking, Ireti brings a world perspective to the Nigerian market. Beneath her management, Citibank is specializing in offering revolutionary monetary options and leveraging know-how to boost buyer expertise.
Managing Director/ CEO, SunTrust Financial institution, Halima Buba
In January 2020, SunTrust Financial institution Restricted introduced the appointed Mrs. Halima Buba as its Managing Director/Chief Govt Officer following the CBN approval.
Her appointment was premised on her years of expertise as a monetary knowledgeable and a seasoned banker with over 20 years of expertise in each the non-public and public sector with recognizable and spectacular strides.
Buba who hails from Adamawa is a co-founder of TAJ consortium, a bunch of younger dynamic technocrats.
She is presently sitting on the board of Nigerian Sovereign Funding Authority (NSIA) as a non-executive director and take part amongst different key stakeholders in making vital selections to make sure that the nation’s wealth is being channeled to optimum use for the long run generations of Nigerian.
Managing Director/CEO, Lotus Financial institution, Kafilat Araoye
Lotus Financial institution appointed Kafilat Araoye as Managing Director/Chief Govt in 2022.
She holds a primary diploma in Historical past from the College of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo College, and an M.Sc. in Industrial Relations & Personnel Administration from the College of Lagos.
With over 30 years in banking, Kafilat’s dedication to moral banking and social accountability is obvious in her work at Lotus Financial institution. She champions sustainable monetary practices and promotes funding in group growth initiatives.
She began her profession in 1988 at Nationwide Oil and Chemical compounds Advertising Firm Plc (now Conoil Nigeria Plc), and moved in 1990 to Warranty Belief Financial institution Plc, because the pioneer head of Human Assets. She was a part of the GTBank group that went to Jordan for the implementation of its core banking utility amongst different vital assignments executed for the Financial institution. She left with accolades in 2015 as Common Supervisor however continued to seek the advice of for banks and different sectors by means of her consulting outfit till 2018 when she was appointed because the MD Designate for LOTUS Financial institution then in formation.
Managing Director/CEO, Unity Financial institution Plc, Oluwatomi Somefun
The CBN confirmed the appointment of Mrs. Tomi Somefun because the Managing Director/Chief Govt Officer of Unity Financial institution Plc on August 10, 2015.
Her appointment adopted the departure of Henry J. Semenitari, who had resigned his appointment with the Financial institution. Somefun is an skilled skilled with a depth of expertise and data of the finance Business, with over three a long time of cognate expertise of which 26 years had been within the Banking Sector. She began her profession in Accounting and Monetary Consulting with Peat Marwick & Co, and subsequently Arthur Andersen & Co (now KPMG). Previous to becoming a member of Unity Financial institution, she had a distinguished profession with United Financial institution for Africa the place she managed and sat on the board of a number of subsidiaries, together with being the maiden CEO of UBA Pensions Custodian which she managed for eight years, as nicely supervising the South-West Area of the Financial institution.
Managing Director/CEO, Union Financial institution, Yetunde Bolanle Oni
In January 2024, Yetunde Bolanle Oni assumed the highest place of Managing Director/CEO of Union Financial institution, marking a big milestone within the financial institution’s management. With levels in Economics and Enterprise Administration, together with government coaching at Oxford College, her appointment is poised to form Union Financial institution’s strategic route.
Yetunde holds a level in Economics from the College of Ibadan, Govt Coaching at Oxford College, and an MBA in Enterprise Administration from Bangor College.
CEO, FSDH Service provider Financial institution, Bukola Smith
Bukola Smith was appointed Managing Director/Chief Govt of FSDH Service provider Financial institution in April 2021.
She brings 29 years of progressive expertise within the banking business with a observe document of strategic execution and management.
Earlier than her appointment as Managing Director, she was the Govt Director, Enterprise Improvement at First Metropolis Monument Financial institution and held a number of different management positions since becoming a member of in 2006. She was liable for the banks over 200 branches throughout the nation, Public Sector, Enterprise Banking, Agriculture and Transaction Banking Divisions. Beneath her management, the financial institution’s SME centered group in 3 years moved from fifth place within the business to 1st place in 2019 (KPMG Buyer Service Report 2020).
She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN) and Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. She holds an MBA from Alliance Manchester Enterprise College, College of Manchester U.Ok, and a B.Sc. Economics from the College of Lagos.
She presently sits on the board of Ladies in Profitable Careers (WISCAR), the Toyin Oni Basis (NGO for most cancers consciousness) and serves as mentor to a number of younger ladies inside and outdoors these networks.