Adaora Umeoji
{{Short description|Nigerian Banker}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Adaora Umeoji
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Adaora Umeoji
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|02|08|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nigeria
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alma_mater = {{Ubl|
| Baze University|University of Calabar
}}
| occupation = {{Cslist
| Banker
| Entrepreneur
| Philanthropist
}}
| years_active = 1995–present
| known = Zenith Bank PLC Executive
}}
Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji OON (born 8 February 1974) is a Nigerian banking professional, entrepreneur and philanthropist appointed as the first female Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank in June 2024.{{cite web | title=Zenith Bank appoints Adaora Umeoji as first female CEO | website=Vanguard News | date=19 March 2024 | url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/03/zenith-bank-appoints-adaora-umeoji-as-first-female-ceo/amp/ | access-date=19 March 2024}}{{cite web | last=Abimbola | first=Oluwakemi | title=JUST IN: Zenith Bank appoints first female GMD, Umeoji | website=Punch Newspapers | date=19 March 2024 | url=https://punchng.com/just-in-zenith-bank-appoints-first-female-gmd-umeoji/?amp | access-date=19 March 2024}}{{cite web |last=Release |first=Press |date=19 March 2024 |title=Zenith Bank appoints Adaora Umeoji as GMD/CEO |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/promoted/678989-zenith-bank-appoints-adaora-umeoji-as-gmd-ceo.html |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=Premium Times Nigeria}}
== Early life and education ==
Adaora Umeoji was born on 8 February 1974. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Jos, and another Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Baze University, Abuja.{{cite web | last=Aro | first=Busola | title=Adaora Umeoji becomes first female CEO of Zenith Bank | website=TheCable | date=19 March 2024 | url=https://www.thecable.ng/zenith-bank-appoints-adaora-umeoji-as-first-female-ceo/amp?/zenith-bank-appoints-adaora-umeoji-as-first-female-ceo | access-date=19 March 2024}} She completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) at Harvard Business School, United States and earned a Certificate in the Global Banking Program from Columbia Business School, United States.
She received her Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar.{{Cite web |last=Olatunji |first=Eniola |date=2025-02-07 |title=How Nigerian women are outperforming in banking services |url=https://businessday.ng/personality/article/how-nigerian-women-are-outperforming-in-banking-services/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}} She also holds a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University.{{cite web |date=19 March 2024 |title=Zenith Bank Plc elevates Dr. Adora Remy Umeoji, to serve as new Group Managing Director |url=https://www.govbusinessjournal.com/zenith-bank-plc-elevates-dr-adora-remy-umeoji-to-serve-as-new-group-managing-director/ |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=The Government and Business Journal}} Additionally, Umeoji earned a Certificate in Economics for Business from MIT Sloan School of Management, and completed the strategic thinking and management programme at Wharton Business School.{{cite web |last=Ogwu |first=Sunday Michael |date=19 March 2024 |title=Zenith Bank appoints first female Group Managing Director |url=https://dailytrust.com/zenith-bank-gets-new-group-managing-director/ |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=Daily Trust}}
Career
Umeoji was appointed as the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank PLC in June 2024. Prior to her appointment as GMD/CEO, Umeoji served as the Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank PLC from 28 October 2016, until 31 May 2024.{{cite web | title=Adaora Remy Umeoji, Zenith Bank PLC: Profile and Biography | website=Bloomberg.com | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/16322890 | access-date=19 March 2024}}{{cite web |last=Diala |first=Sam |date=12 July 2023 |title=BREAKING: Adaora Returns As Zenith DMD, Others To Follow As CBN Revises Policy On Tenure Of Executive Management And Non-Executive Directors of Banks |url=https://thewillnews.com/breaking-adaora-returns-as-zenith-dmd-others-to-follow-as-cbn-reverses-policy-on-tenure-of-executive-management-and-non-executive-directors-of-banks/ |access-date=March 19, 2024 |website=THEWILL NEWS MEDIA - Nigeria News, Nigeria Politics, Breaking News}} On 9 October 2012, Umeoji was appointed to the Board of Zenith Bank, further solidifying her position as a key leader within the organization. As a board member, she contributes valuable insights and expertise, helping to shape the bank's strategic direction and drive sustainable growth.{{cite web |last=Nwachukwu |first=Iheanyi |date=19 March 2024 |title=Adaora Umeoji becomes first female Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank |url=https://businessday.ng/companies/article/adaora-umeoji-becomes-first-female-group-managing-director-of-zenith-bank/?amp=1 |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=Businessday NG}}
Achievements and recognition
- Recognised as a peace advocate by the United Nations (UN-POLAC), she received the Officer of the Order of Nigeria (OON) national honour from the Nigerian government in 2022.
- In 2023, Umeoji received The Humanitarian Services Icon of the Year Award at The Sun Awards for her philanthropic works and commitment to improving the lives of less privileged persons.{{Cite web |date=20 March 2024 |title=Zenith Bank DMD, Adaora Umeoji, Recognised as Humanitarian Services Icon of the Year 2023 at the Sun Awards. |url=https://www.zenithbank.com/media/news/zenith-bank-dmd-adaora-umeoji-recognized-as-humanitarian-services-icon-of-the-year-2023-at-the-sun-awards/ |access-date=20 March 2024 |website=Zenithbank.com}}
- In 2024, she received the Banker of the Year 2024 - Leadership Award from Nigeria's Leadership Newspaper [https://leadership.ng/leadership-award-means-theres-something-im-doing-well-umeoji-banker-of-the-year-2024/ Leadership Newspaper].
- She was recognised and honoured in 2025 by Arise News as an Exceptional Woman Making Impact [https://www.arise.tv/arise-news-honours-65-exceptional-women-making-impact-for-international-womens-month/ Adaora Umeoji: Driving Financial Innovation at Zenith Bank].
- Adaora Umeoji received the 2025 Award for "Outstanding Female Bank Managing Director" from the NIgeria Chapter of the Women in Aviation International [https://www.wai.org/ WAI].
- She was also honoured with the 2025 Community Excellence Award by the [https://rotarydistrict9142.org/ Rotary District 9142].
- In 2024, the Association of Professional Women Bankers [https://apwborg.com/ (APWB)] recognised Umeoji for her Remarkable Leadership and Contributions to the Banking Industry.
- Adaora Umeoji received the Security Conscious Bank CEO of the Year award from the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
- She was conferred with the honour of the Award of Excellence on SDGs Adavancement by the Centre for Sustainable Development [https://unizik.edu.ng/ Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka].
- At the 2025 25th Anniversary of the Bisi Olatilo Show, Umeoji was awarded with the Banker of The Year Award at the BOS Awards.
References
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Category:Alumni of the University of Salford
Category:Baze University alumni
Category:MIT Sloan School of Management alumni
Category:Nigerian chief executives
Category:Nigerian women business executives
Category:Nigerian women chief executives
Category:University of Calabar alumni