DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

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

Dr. Temitope Fasoranti is a seasoned banker with over three decades of experience in the Nigerian financial services industry. He is an alumnus of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics (1988), a Master’s Degree in Economics (1991) and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Economics.

He has also received executive-level education and attended several international courses and programmes, including Changing The Game: Negotiation and Competitive Decision Making (Harvard Business School), Creating and Leading High-Performance Teams (The Wharton School, Pennsylvania, USA), and Developing Strategy for Value Creation (London Business School).

He worked in FBN Merchant Bankers from 1991 to 1997 before joining Zenith Bank in 1997. Prior to his appointment as Executive Director in December 2017, he was a General Manager/Group Zonal Head overseeing several branches and zones in Lagos State, including Ikeja Zone, Apapa Zone, Ilupeju Zone, and South-West region. He also served as the Group Head of strategic business units in the head office, including Oil & Gas, Conglomerate Group, and Agriculture Desk.

Dr. Fasoranti’s experience spans Treasury Management, Corporate Finance, Corporate Banking, Risk Management and Retail Banking. He is also vastly experienced in managing Fintech relationships, with competences in cards, electronic banking and payment systems.

Dr. Fasoranti is a member of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), the Institute of Credit Administration, and an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

He sits on the board of Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited.

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).

COMPANY SECRETARY/LEGAL ADVISER

Michael Osilama Otu is the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of Zenith Bank Plc. He joined the bank on July 14, 1997 and became the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser in February, 2002.

He graduated Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Law in 1992 from the then Bendel (Edo) State and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos State between 1992 and 1993. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993 with Second Class Honours (Upper Division). He obtained a Master’s Degree in Law (LL.M) from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State in 1996.

While at the University and the Nigerian Law School, he won several awards including – the Best Graduating Student in Banking, Insurance and Negotiable Instrument, Sir. Darnley Alexander’s Prize for Best Student in Legal Drafting and Conveyancing, Chief Ernest Shonekan’s Prize for Best Student in Legal Drafting and Conveyancing, Chief F.R.A. Williams Prize for Best Student in Legal Drafting and Conveyancing.

His professional Banking experience spans over two decades beginning in 1993 when he was employed as a Legal Officer in Crystal Bank of Africa Limited (now UBA Plc). He also worked as a General Counsel and was Deputy Head of Chambers in Vincent Omegba & Co. (Legal Practitioners).

He is a member of various professional bodies including the Nigeria Bar Association (N.B.A); Nigerian Society of International Law and the International Bar Association; Honourary, Senior member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB) and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb). He is a Resource Person for the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) amongst others.