Adaora Umeoji: Get to know Zenith Bank’s first female CEO

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Dr. Adaora Umeoji has been appointed as the first female Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the leading finance institution, Zenith Bank.

She is the first woman to attain the position in the 34-year history of the bank.

News Round The Clock gathered that Adaora Umeoji will resume her role appointment from June 1, 2024, according to a statement released by Zenith Bank.

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“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.

In the meantime, here are a couple of things to note about Adaora Umeoji.

Education:

According to reports gathered, Dr. Umeoji has a PhD in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Law and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.

Additionally, she is a Fellow of the UK Chartered Banker Institute, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Nigerian Institute of Credit Administration, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria.

Honours and Awards:

In 2022, she was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger by the Federal Government of Nigeria. She was also recognized as a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC). In 2023, she received the Humanitarian Service Icon Award from the Sun Newspaper, in honor of her philanthropic efforts.

Philanthropic Activities:

She is the founder of two organizations – Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation and Adorable Foundation. The Pink Breath Cancer Care Foundation runs several healthcare programs every year across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. These programs aim to provide crucial medical care to people living with cancer and other illnesses. She also donates relief materials and offers free healthcare to internally displaced persons all over the country through various intervention initiatives.