A heartwarming video is circulating on social media, capturing the joyous moment Zenith Bank staff celebrated Adaora Umeoji’s historic appointment as the first female Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of the bank.
On Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, Zenith Bank officially announced Adaora Umeoji’s appointment, pending approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria, with her assuming the role from June 1, 2024.
Prior to this milestone, Umeoji served as the Deputy Managing Director at Zenith Bank starting from October 28, 2016. With an impressive 30-year banking career, she devoted 26 years of her expertise to Zenith Bank, demonstrating her dedication and leadership within the organization.
“She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, 2024, after a very successful tenure. Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMD/CEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within,” Zenith Bank said in a Tuesday statement.
However, a clip that has gone viral online shows the moment the staff of Zenith Bank most especially the female ones get overexcited as they rush to celebrate with Adaora Umeoji as she becomes the CEO of Zenith Bank.
CEO Adaora Umeoji also welcomed them with a warm heart as they celebrate together in an environment that oozes absolutely nothing but positive energy.
Watch the video below;
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The bank statement also highlighted her educational background, noting that she is an alumna of the prestigious Harvard Business School, where she completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP), and Columbia Business School, where she earned a Certificate in the Global Banking Program.
Furthermore, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, as well as Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting and Law with First-Class Honours from Baze University, Abuja. She obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar. Additionally, she holds a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.
See thirteen things to know about Adaora Umeoji, the first female CEO of Zenith Bank below;
Umeoji holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos.
She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a first-class honour in Law from Baze University, Abuja.
She holds a Master of Law from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, as well as a Master in Business Administration from the University of Calabar.
She attended the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School.
Umeoji attended the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA.
She also attended the executive programme in Strategic Management and has a Certificate in Leading Global Business all from Harvard Business School, USA.
The new GMD holds a certificate in the Global Banking Programme from the Columbia Business School.
The first female Zenith Bank GMD has a Doctorate in Business Administration from Apollos University, USA.
She holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA.
She is a fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Credit Administration and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria among others.
She is the founder of the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria.
In 2022, Umeoji was honoured with the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, as a recognition of her contributions to nation-building by the Federal Government.
She is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC).
The CEO has 30 years of experience in the banking sector.
Before her appointment, Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016.
See reactions that have started trailing the above video of staff celebrating with the first female Zenith Bank CEO below;
infinity_boss79: I remember that year when she was promoted to Branch Manager and the other Ogas carry face go meet Ovia they were like she’s too young, she has no experience for the job besides she never too tey for the bank and Oga JIM OVIA told them Bring in the kind of money she’s bringing in and I will promote you🤭 CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ADAORA ZENITH Maitama branch will not forget you 🙌🙌🙌.
dr.cado: For a female to make it to an MD in any Nigeria bank. Those in banking know the story.
official_onyiioj: Since my youth service year in 2007 in Abuja, This lady has been strong in Zenith Bank Maitama Branch then. Very exceptional……. Congratulations Queen, well deserved appointment ❤.
wytlove0: Igbo women at it again 🙌❤️❤️.
avalonokpe: The original meaning of SLAY QUEEN.
asiwajuatinuke: That’s how I’m going to be the first female governor of Lagos state.
professoroffood: This woman put in the work o….from Zenith Bank Maitama days! It has finally paid off for her. Congratulations 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽.
funaya_: 😍 Love to see women winning. Congrats baby girl!!! 🎉🥳.