Reactions as Adaora Umeoji Becomes First Female CEO of Zenith Bank

One of Nigeria’s foremost financial institutions Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of its first female Group managing director/chief executive officer (CEO) in the person of Dr Adaora Umeoji.

The announcement was disclosed via a notification sent to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) by the bank’s company secretary, Michael Otu.

The appointment which is still pending an approval from the central bank of Nigeria has garnered numerous reactions; ranging from Umeoji’s track record to the representation of women in the hierarchy of the financial sector. 

Otu’s statement noted that Umeoji takes over from Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, after a very successful tenure.

Dr Umeoji’s pedigree remains a main point of conversation with some of her achievements being: She’s an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where she attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Programme.
She 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 also holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar and a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.
Umeoji holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA, and has attended various management programmes in renowned Universities around the world.
This includes, 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 from Harvard Business School, USA.

Below are some reactions to her emergence on social media platform X formerly known as Twitter where she’s currently a trending topic. 

“The top 3 financial institutions in Nigeria are led by women presently; 

GTBank – Miriam Olusanya 

Access Holdings- Bolaji Agbede 

Zenith Bank- Adaora Umeoji 

This is a very good one,” says Apostle Jake on X. 

Nkiruka says, “Any chance that anyone didn’t see this coming? Adaora has been in the works since late 2000s. Jim Ovia plays the long game.”

Esteem says, “Adaora Umeoji is a living testament to the fact that when you intentionally or deliberately invest or empower a girl child, there’s no limit she can’t go.  Just reading her CV alone and all she’s achieved at such a very young age would blow your mind. Like I’ll always say, some people came to this world with 2 heads. My goodness!!!!”

OAP N6 writes, “Congratulations Adaora Umeoji who just emerged as the First Female MD of Zenith Bank. The Happiness and Celebration amongst zenith staff today shows this Job was given to the perfect Person. May you have a fruitful Tenure Ma’am..”

CEO says, “This zentih Bank announcement is a victory for women. If you know you know. There is nothing in this world that beats An intelligent beautiful “yellow” woman…. Poise, elegance, and brains. Congratulations madam Adaora!!!”

0xEH says, “Adaora finally became the CEO of Zenith. It’s been a long time coming.”

Big Fish says, “If I hear pim from any of you misogynists who think Dr. Adaora Umeoji isn’t deserving of her new position as Zenith banks new CEO. 

Have you seen her qualifications and profile. Plus I must add , she is a graduate from unijos too.”

Dr Adaora Umeoji’s appointment is effective June 1st, 2024.