Zenith Bank is a leading bank in Nigeria. It has a few seasoned bankers running the affairs of the bank. In this report, City People unveils the big boys and babes running the bank.
JIM OVIA
Jim Ovia, the chairman, is the pioneer Managing Director / CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest and Africa’s 6th largest bank by Shareholders’ Funds. He was at the helm of affairs for 20 years until he resigned in July, 2010.
Jim Ovia holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Louisiana, Louisiana, USA in 1979 and a B.Sc degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Louisiana, USA (1977). He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (OPM).
Jim Ovia is a writer and motivational speaker.
PETER AMANGBO
Peter Amangbo is the new Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of the bank. He holds a B.Eng. Degree (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) from University of Benin and an MBA from the University of Warwick, Coventry in the United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA). Prior to this appointment, Mr. Amangbo has been an Executive Director of the bank since 2005 and has over twenty four (24) years cognate banking experience all of which has been with Zenith Bank. He worked previously with Pricewaterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) as a Senior Consultant in the Financial Services Group.
ADAORA UMEOJI
As Deputy Managing Director, she is in charge of Public Sector, Abuja, North, Middle Belt and Southeast Zones.
She holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology, B.Sc (Hons) Sociology from the University of Jos, Plateau State and MBA in Business Administration from the University of Calabar.
Adaora Umeoji has over 20 years cognate banking industry and a very broad Executive management experience.
She has held several management positions in the Bank and has contributed significantly to the current profitability of the Bank. She currently heads the most profitable arm of the Bank and has competently acquitted herself in all areas of the bank she has worked.
EBENEZER ONYEAGWU
Ebenezer is an ICAN Fellow as well as an Alumnus of the University of Pennsylvia, USA (Wharton Executive Education), Columbia Business School, Columbia University, United States of America and the Harvard Business School.
Mr. Onyeagwu has over 25 years cognate banking industry experience. He worked as Credit Analyst in the defunct Financial Merchant Bank Limited and later joined Citizens International Bank Limited where he held several management positions in the Bank ranging from Branch Head, Warri Branch and Ikoyi Branch respectively.
He joined Zenith Bank Plc in 2002 as a Senior Manager in the Internal Control and Audit Group of the bank and has served in various capacities as Assistant General Manager, in charge of coordination of strategies for Business Development and Relationship management for Ikeja branch and Deputy General Manager, Zonal Head, Ikeja Zone, responsible for the supervision of twenty five (25) branches of the bank within Ikeja and Otta, Ogun State.
Before his appointment as Executive Director, he was the General Manager in charge of Commercial Banking Group as well as Ikeja Zone of the Bank.
He was appointed Deputy Managing Director in October 2016.
SOLA OLADIPO
Mr. Oladipo an ED holds an MBA from the University of Lagos and a B.Sc. in Accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University. He is a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (FCA), an Associate of Chartered Institute of Stock brokers (ACIS) and Chartered Institute of Taxation (ACIT). He has attended several international courses including course in London Business School, UK and Columbia University, New York as well as Harvard Business School. He have over two decades of experience in the banking industry of which about 20 years has been spent at Zenith Bank Plc.
UMAR SHUAIB AHMED
Umar Shuaib Ahmed until his appointment as an Executive Director, he was a General Manager and Zonal Head supervising 7 branches and 3 Strategic Business Units in Abuja and also coordinate 3 zones comprising over 20 Branches in the North west and North east. Umar graduated in 1990 with B.Sc (Hons) Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and later obtained an MSc. (Banking & Finance) from Bayero University Kano in 1998. He started his banking career 23 years ago in 1993 at Citibank (Nigeria International Bank). He joined Zenith in 2006 as an Assistant General Manager. Through his career, Umar has held several management positions before this appointment. He is a fellow of Nigerian Institute of Loan and Risk Management, Honorary Senior Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers and Member, Nigerian Institute of Management. He also has attended Strategic Business courses at London Business School and Harvard Business School, USA. He is married with children.
ALHAJI BABA TELA – INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alhaji Baba Tela graduated B.Sc (Business Administration and Finance) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He has served in various capacities in the past as Executive Director Yarwa Consolidated Industries Limited, Managing Director/Chief Executive Masenterp Nigeria Limited. He also served as Special Assistant to the President on Economy at the Presidency between 2001 and 2002 and was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2002 to 2003 and was the Vice Chairman, Senate Services Committee. He was also re-elected Senator of the Federal Republic between 2003 to 2007 and served in various Committees of the senate.
He sits on the Board of many companies and is very vast in Board matters.
PROF. CHUKUKA ENWEMEKA – NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
He is a Professor, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at San Diego State University, California, United States of America. Prior to this appointment, he was the Professor and Dean, College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States of America. He was also Professor and Dean, School of Health Professions, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, United States of America and Professor/Chairman, University of Kansas (Medical Center), Kansas City, United States of America as well as Associate Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Miami, School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.
He graduated and obtained his first degree in 1978 from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
He obtained his Masters degree in 1983 from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States of America and thereafter proceeded to the New York University, New York, United States of America where he backed his Ph.D. in 1985.
JEFFERY EFEYINI – NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
He is an experienced and well rounded international banker, international trade expert and financial services professional with a powerful entrepreneurial streak, combined with risk aversion and with an eye to the “bottom line”.
Mr. Efeyini is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, United Kingdom. He holds a Masters degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science as well as an MBA from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He recently retired as the Managing Director of Melvale Group, United Kingdom (a diversified international trade finance and foreign direct investment consulting organization).
Between 2003 to 2009, he was an Independent Director with Union Bank UK Plc, London. He was also a Director and later Chairman of Britain Nigeria Business Council, London.
He started his professional banking career with Barclays Bank International, United Kingdom, later Union Bank of Nigeria and rose to the position of the pioneer Chief Executive/General Manager, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, London.
PROF. O. IBIDAPO-OBE
Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, a distinguished Professor of Systems Engineering and former Vice Chancellor (2000-2007) of the University of Lagos and former Vice Chancellor of the new Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo Ebonyi State Nigeria (2011 -2016). He was the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science from 2009-2013. He attended the University of Lagos from 1968-1971. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science [B.Sc. (Hon)] degree in Mathematics in the 1st Class Division by the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1971; a Masters of Mathematics (M. Maths) degree in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science in 1973 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil Engineering with specialisation in Applied Mechanics/Systems in 1976 both from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
GABRIEL ITA ASUQUO UKPEH
Mr. Ukpeh is an internationally acclaimed consultant in business strategy, risk management, process re-engineering and financial services, who was, until recently, a Senior Partner and Risk Quality Leader for Africa at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria with over thirty five (35) years experience in Financial Audit and Reporting, as well as a member of the Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
The Zenith Bank management team is made up of seasoned individuals determined to deliver superior financial solutions to both businesses and individuals.
The success the banks has recorded stems from the experience, leadership, professionalism and vision of our management and staff. Zenith Bank leverages the talents of world-renowned group of financial experts, legal and technology experts to deliver industry-leading solutions and services for its consumer and business customers. They are as follows:
NONYE AYENI – GM
Nonye Ayeni, the General Manager, holds a Bachelors degree in Microbiology from the University of Ife and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos. She is currently a Group Head with responsibilities for Treasury, Foreign Exchange and Correspondent Banking. She also has responsibility for supervising some branches in the Lagos area.
NWAPA ADAOBI STELLA
Nwapa Adaobi Stella, the General Manager, holds a Bachelors degree in History from the Imo State University (1985). She has attended several local and international courses and programmes including World Finance/Wining Negotiation Strategies at Harvard Business School and London Business School. She is an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (HCIB). She is currently a Group Zonal Head with management and supervisory responsibilities.
DENNIS OLISA
He is the Chief Inspector And Head Of Internal Control & Audit Group. Dennis Olisa is an ICAN Fellow and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
He holds a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) Degree and a Master’s Degree in Law (LL.M).
His professional career started at the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1990 as a Bank Examiner. He has cognate Banking Industry experience spanning over 25 years.
DR TEMITOPE FASORANTI
Dr Temitope Fasoranti, General Manager, has spent over 22 years in the Nigerian Banking Industry and holds a Bachelors degree in Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University (1988), a Master’s degree in Economics (1991)and a PhD in Economics. He has attended several local and international courses and programmes including Creating and Leading High Performance Teams (The Wharton School, Pennsylvania, USA), and Developing Strategy for Value Creation (London Business School). He is currently the Group Zonal Head Ikeja Zone overseeing 13 branches having worked in Treasury and Corporate Finance in First Bank, and Zenith bank’s Corporate Banking ,Oil & Gas and Apapa Groups.
MARVIS KOFI IBOJE
Mr. Marvis Kofi Iboje is the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of the bank. He was formerly the head of Up-Country Credit Department and also coordinated the Foreign Subsidiaries Department of the bank.
Mr. Kofi Iboje joined the services of the bank in September, 1992 and has served in various capacities from Treasury Department to Corporate Banking and Branch Manager Retail Oba Akran as well as Eric Moore branch of the bank.
He also served as the immediate past MD/CEO of Zenith Bank (Gambia) Limited.
Mr. Iboje holds a Masters Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State and is a fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA).
FRANCIS CHUKWUNYEM
Francis Chukwunyem is the Chief Information Officer, He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Benin (1991), and a Master’s degree in Computer Science (1998) from the University of Lagos. He is Currently the Chief Information Officer of the Bank. He has several Certifications in different areas of Information technology. He was the Pioneer Group Head of the Payment Cards Dept. He was also the Pioneer Group Head of E- Business Dept.
FELIX EGBON
Mr. Felix Egbon is the Chief Risk Officer of the bank. He is a Deputy General Manager (DGM) and currently the Group Head, Risk Management Group of the bank.
He participated in the establishment of a robust Risk Management function in the bank.
Mr. Egbon joined the services of the bank in May 2006 with responsibility for branch coordination and subsequently Internal Control and Audit and was responsible for review and enforcement of the bank’s procedures, controls and policies in branches bankwide.
He is a fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), honorary member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and Senior member, Risk Management Association of Nigeria.
Prior to his engagement with Zenith Bank, he had worked with Pricewaterhouse Cooppers as Audit Senior, Auditing and Business Advisory Services; United Bank for Africa Plc as the Principal Manager in charge of branch coordination, internal control and Audit responsible for review and enforcement of procedures, controls and policies in the bank branches.
STANLEY AMUCHIE
Mr. Stanley Amuchie is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the bank. He is a General Manager (GM) and currently the Group Head, Financial Control and Strategic Planning Group of the bank.
Mr. Amuchie joined the services of the bank in February 2000 in the middle management cadre from where he rose to his present position of General Manager/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the bank.
Amuchie is a First Class graduate of Industrial Chemistry from the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State and graduated as the best graduating student in Industrial Chemistry in the 1992/1993 session. Prior to his engagement with Zenith Bank, he had worked with Arthur Andersen (now KPMG Professional Services) between 1995 and 2000 where he rose to the level of a Senior before exiting the firm in February 2000 to join the banking industry. While in Arthur Andersen, he worked on both Business Advisory and Consulting Assignments for major Financial Institutions in Nigeria and other West African countries.
MICHAEL OSILAMA OTU
Michael Osilama Otu is the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of Zenith Bank Plc. He joined the bank on July 14, 1997 and became the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser in February, 2002.
He graduated Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Law in 1992 from the then Bendel (Edo) State and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos State between 1992 and 1993. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993 with Second Class Honours (Upper Division). He obtained a Master’s Degree in Law (LL.M) from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State in 1996.
MARCEL OKEKE
Marcel Okeke is the Chief Economist. He is an Assistant General Manager, and currently Group Head, Research and Economic Intelligence Group (R & EIG). Before joining the bank at the take-off of the R & EIG in 2004, he has had a multi-sectoral exposure covering the oil and gas industry, media and marketing communications consultancy. In the media, Mr. Okeke worked with the best known titles in Nigeria, including The Guardian, The Punch, Concord and Champion Newspapers. He was at a point the Editor of the highly influential ‘Business Concord’ Newspaper, and Business Editor of The Punch.
Mr. Okeke has also worked as the Divisional Head, Information Management and Media with The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Eastern Division, Port-Harcourt. He was also Team Leader at the African Basic Economy (Consultancy), Lagos.
Prior to his being engaged by the bank, Mr. Okeke was a full time Member of the Editorial Board and In-House Economist of The Guardian Newspapers, Lagos, where he led editorial discourses and analyses on topical local and global economic issues as leader-writer. He equally maintained a very successful weekly column on the economy (every Tuesday). He carried this track record to the bank, where he has been Editor of the Bank’s upscale journal, Zenith Economic Quarterly (since 2005), in addition to other on-line publications.
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