CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jim Ovia is the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, one of Africa’s largest banks with over $24 billion in assets and shareholders’ funds of over US$3 billion as at June, 2022.  Zenith Bank is a global brand listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange.  In addition to major operations in Nigeria and other West African countries, the Bank has sizeable operations in London and Dubai. 

 Jim Ovia is the founder and chancellor of James Hope University Lekki, Lagos which was recently approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer postgraduate degrees in business courses. James Hope University will commence activities in September 2023.

 Through his philanthropy – the Jim Ovia Foundation – he has shown the importance he accords good education.  In support of the Nigerian youth, Jim Ovia Foundation offers scholarships to indigent students through the Mankind United to Support Total Education (MUSTE) initiative. Most of the beneficiaries of Jim Ovia Foundation scholarship are now accountants, business administrators, lawyers, engineers, doctors etc.

He is the author of “Africa Rise And Shine”, published by ForbesBooks. The book which encapsulates Zenith Bank’s meteoric rise, details the secrets of success in doing business in Africa.  

He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School (OPM), University of Louisiana (MBA), and Southern University, Louisiana, (B.Sc. Business Administration). 

 Jim Ovia is a member of the World Economic Forum Community of Chairpersons, and a champion of the Forum’s EDISON Alliance.         

 In recognition of Jim Ovia’s contributions to the economic development of Nigeria, in 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured him with Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR. Also, in May 2022, Jim Ovia was conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Earlier, he has been conferred with the national awards of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, and Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, in 2000 and 2011, respectively, as a testament to his visionary leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector.

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji OON, is the Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc.

With over 20 years cognate banking and broad executive management experience, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji rose through the ranks to her current position.

She is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Jos and a first class honours in Law from Baze University Abuja. She also holds a Master in Law from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar. She is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program (AMP) from Havard Business School, Boston, USA and she holds a doctorate degree in Business Administration from Apollos University, Montana, USA. Her dissertation was on inspirational leadership and her findings have been recognized as a major contribution to leadership and people management.

She attended the strategic thinking and management programme at Wharton Business School, Pennsylvania, USA and also holds a Certificate in Leading Global Businesses from Harvard Business School, Boston, USA.

She is a fellow of notable professional bodies including the Chartered Bankers Institute of London, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Institute of Credit Administration, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Meditators & Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria, among others.

She has presented lead papers at major academic conferences and symposia. Recently, she was a keynote speaker at the Zenith Global Economic Forum held in New York City, USA where she delivered a thought-provoking lecture on Financing Growth Drivers in the Nigerian Economy.

Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji has at different times participated in high-level Bankers’ meetings with impactful contributions towards the advancement of the banking industry, national economic growth and development. She has delivered several motivational speeches at strategic sessions aimed at mentoring youths and managers, especially banking professionals.

Beyond banking, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji supports research and learning on inspirational leadership, mentorship, talent development, collaboration, change and adaptability, strategic thinking, innovation and creativity, amongst others.

She promotes the Pink Breath Cancer Care Foundation which supports several healthcare programs within the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. She has won numerous awards for excellence and creativity in management. Her contribution towards improving humanity has been recognized by various organizations including the Nigerian Red Cross.

As a result of her passion in promoting professionalism in the banking industry and improving the well-being of the less privileged, Dr. Adaora Umeoji founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.

Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC), and a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and was recently awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Henry Oroh holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Benin, Edo State and an MBA from the Lagos State University as well as an LLB Degree from the University of London. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), Nigeria.

He has over two decades of banking experience. He began his banking career in 1992 at Citibank where he served for seven (7) years in Operations, Treasury and Marketing.

He joined Zenith Bank in February 1999 and has worked in various Groups and Departments within the Zenith Group Office. His expertise spans Operations, Information Technology, Treasury, Marketing, including the Manufacturing, Food and Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Oil and Gas, Public Sector, Consumer, as well as Corporate Banking and Business Development.

In April 2012, he was seconded to Zenith Bank Ghana Limited as an Executive Director and became the Managing Director/ Chief Executive in February 2016, where he successfully spearheaded the phenomenal growth of the Zenith Brand both within the Ghana market and the West African sub-region.

Henry has attended several Leadership Programmes and Executive Management Courses at the Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, New York, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, HEC Paris, JP Morgan Chase, UK and the Lagos Business School.

He comes to the Board of Zenith Bank Plc with strong competencies in Credit & Marketing, Operations, Information Technology, Treasury and impressive Leadership skills.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr. Ogunranti Akindele is a consummate professional banker with expertise across Banking Operations, Corporate, Commercial, Retail and Branch Banking, Multilaterals, Power & Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, Public Sector, Structured Trade & Project Finance, as well as General Management.

He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in International Relations from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, an MBA in Marketing, and M.Sc. in Banking and Finance, University of Ibadan. He has attended the Moody’s Credit Academy, UK, the Executive Development Program (EDP), Wharton Business School, USA and the Leading Change and Organizational Renewal Program (LCOR) at Harvard Business School, USA.

Mr. Ogunranti joined Zenith Bank Plc in 2004 as a Senior Manager and has held various leadership positions in the bank. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, he served as the MD/CEO, Zenith Bank Ghana Limited, where he led the Bank to achieve outstanding results. Under his leadership, the bank received several laurels and awards, notable among which was the Bank of the Year 2020 and the Best Bank in Ghana 2021. He was also a two-time winner of the CEO of The Year Award (Banking Category) in Ghana. 

He was until his appointment a Member of the Executive Committee of the Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB) and a Member of the Governing Council, of the National Banking College, Ghana.  He was also conferred with the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2021, by the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

He is an Honorary Senior Member of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB), Honorary Fellow Chartered Institute of Credit Management, Ghana (FCICM) and a Member Nigeria Institute of Management (MNIM).

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”.

He is an energetic lateral thinker with several years experience in Management Consulting, Board and Corporate Governance.

Mr. Efeyini is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, United Kingdom. He holds a Master’s 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).

From 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.

NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

Engr. Mustafa Bello graduated with B.Engr. (Civil Engineering), from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in 1978 with Second Class Upper Division and won the Shell prize for best project and thesis for Faculty of Engineering in 1978.

He served in the Directorate of Quartering and Engineering Service (Nigerian Army) between 1978 / 1979 and later joined the Niger State Housing Corporation between 1980 and 1983 as a Senior Civil Engineer.

He served as a cabinet Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Federal Minister of Commerce between 1999 and 2002. He was subsequently appointed Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investments Promotion Commission (NIPC) between November 2003 and February 2014.

He is currently the Chairman of Invest-in-Northern Nigeria Limited, a special purpose vehicle for the economic and social transformation of the Northern Nigerian Economy.

He has been involved in several projects in Nigeria including CAC online project in 2002, developed WTO consistent Trade Policy for the Federal Republic of Nigeria etc.

He has attended several conferences, missions and meetings and represented the Federal Government of Nigeria.

NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Omobola Ibidapo-Obe Ogunfowora, a Legal Practitioner and Corporate Governance Practitioner, graduated LLB (Hons) from the Cardiff Law School, United Kingdom and obtained LLM from the same University.

She obtained a Master’s degree (MRes) from the Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom in 2010 and subsequently advanced to the Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom for her Doctorate degree and graduated with PhD in Competition Law.

Dr. Ibidapo-Obe Ogunfowora was a Law Lecturer at the University of Lagos, Nigeria where she lectured at the Department of Commercial and Industrial Law.

She has been a Legal Counsel with Olusola Ibidapo-Obe & Co., Legal Practitioners for almost two decades and also a Dispute Resolution Compliance Specialist with Ombudsman Services, United Kingdom.

She had previously worked as a Research Assistant with the Lagos State Judiciary between February 2003 and August 2004.

She is a Non-Executive Director with Barton Schools, Lagos, Nigeria, where she is responsible for overseeing the long term development of the schools and provide strategic advisory services to ensure sustainability of the schools.

Dr. Ogunfowora is a Corporate Governance Practitioner.

NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Peter Olatunde Bamkole graduated with B.Sc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering from the University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom in 1984 and holds an Executive MBA from IESE Spain/Lagos Business, Lagos (1988 and 1999) respectively.

Mr. Bamkole joins the Board of Zenith Bank Plc with robust experience spanning several sectors including oil and gas, public utilities, and executive education.

He worked in African Petroleum Plc between 1985 and 1986 as a Technical Sales and Services Engineer responsible for industrial customers in the entire north and with Elf Oil Nigeria now Total Nigeria Plc as the Technical Sales and Services Engineer between October 1986 and April 1996.

He also served as an Assistant General Manager with Lagos State Water Corporation between 1996 and 2002

Mr. Bamkole has been with the Pan Atlantic University since January 2003 where he is currently a Director with the Enterprise Development Centre of the University.

He had served at various times in the following bodies:

· National Council member on MSME – (2013-2015)

· Youth Learning Advisory Committee of the Mastercard Foundation, Canada (2013-17)

· Advisory Board Chair, Supreme Education Foundation (2017-2019)

· Steering Committee Chair, ANDE West Africa (2012-2018)

· Board Chair of TechQuest STEM Academy (2017-2021).

He is currently serving in the following capacities:

· Advisory Board Chair of International Breweries Foundation

· Board Chair of Nigeria Climate Innovation Center.

· BOT Chair, Global Entrepreneurship Network, Nigeria.

· Board member of AIFA Reading Society, Member, Pan-Atlantic University Management Council Member, Lagos State Science, Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC),

· Board Member, Novare Real Estate Companies in Nigeria as well as Board Member, JNC International Limited.

Mr. Bamkole is a Certified Online Learning Facilitator, Master Trainer, TPMA Certified Assessor, SME Toolkit Trainer as well as Business Edge Trainer and Assessor.