Adaora Umeoji has been named the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Zenith Bank Plc, with her appointment set to take effect from June 2024. This significant milestone marks her as the first female to assume the role of GMD in the bank’s history.
Transitioning from her position as the deputy managing director at Zenith Bank Plc, a role she has held since 2016, Adaora briefly stepped down from her duties in February 2023 following a regulatory filing on the Nigerian Exchange website. However, she was reinstated in August of the same year after adjustments were made to the directive.
Her journey with the bank began when she joined the board on October 9, 2012. Over the years, Adaora has served in various capacities, starting from leading the marketing group at the Maitama branch. She later progressed to become the deputy zonal head of the Abuja Zone and eventually assumed the role of executive director overseeing the Abuja and Middle Belt Zones.
Adaora Umeoji‘s educational background is impressive, boasting a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and first-class honors in Law from Baze University Abuja.
Additionally, she possesses a Master of Law degree from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calabar. Her pursuit of knowledge also led her to attend programs at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, Wharton Business School, and MIT Management Sloan School.
As a distinguished professional, Adaora is a fellow of several esteemed organizations, including the Chartered Bankers’ Institute of London, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria, among others.
Beyond her corporate endeavors, Adaora is actively involved in philanthropic and advocacy work. She established the Catholic Bankers’ Association of Nigeria (CBAN) to advocate for ethical banking practices and advance humanitarian service. Additionally, she serves as a peace advocate for the United Nations (UN-POLAC) and holds the title of Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), along with being honored as a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.
Adaora’s remarkable contributions to nation-building did not go unnoticed, as she was honored with the Officer of the Order of the Niger by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2022.