By Taiwo Ricketts
07 December 2024 |
5:59 am
As the first female Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Adaora Umeoji embodies a unique blend of faith, leadership, and compassion. Her journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of the banking industry is a testament to her relentless work ethic, deep spirituality, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others. In his apostolic exhortation,…
As the first female Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Adaora Umeoji embodies a unique blend of faith, leadership, and compassion. Her journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of the banking industry is a testament to her relentless work ethic, deep spirituality, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others.
In his apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis urged Catholics to bring the good news of Catholicism to as many who will listen. As Bill Donohue noted in his book, The Catholic Advantage, “He [Francis] did not call upon Catholics to be callous salesmen or to triumphantly wear their religion on their sleeves; rather, he asked them to challenge the ‘secularist rationalism’ and the ‘radical individualism’ that it entails.”
For Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji (OON), faith is at the core of her character. Her involvement in religious activities reflects her deep spirituality and commitment to ethical values.
In 48 years, Dame Umeoji has proven there is much to the Papal’s gospel and Catholicism to be trumpeted. This has been the roadmap for her rise to the zenith of her career. Despite her elevated position, she remains grounded and approachable, treating everyone with kindness and respect. She has impacted the lives of many who have crossed her path. Life, to her, is more than gold and tinsel; as the motto of St Sylvester reads: Multum in Parvo, which translates to “Much in Little” in English.
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Rise to leadership in banking
Born Adaora, which means “the people’s daughter” in Igboland, to parents who hailed from Aguata, Anambra State, on February 8, 1976, Dame Umeoji is the first female Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc since it was established in 1990. Her appointment marked a historic milestone in the Nigerian banking industry.
Though she prefers to keep her family life private, it is understood that she is married into the Nwokoye family in Achalla Awka North. Her emphasis remains professionalism and secrecy.
Her upbringing has defined her career path. From home, she learnt diligence, resilience and a commitment to good values that have shaped her endeavours. Little wonder she has over two and a half decades of cognate banking and broad executive management experience, rising through the ranks to her current position.
As the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Zenith Bank, Dr Umeoji has brought a unique blend of leadership, commitment, and compassion to her role. In fact, Umeoji’s ascent to the zenith of her career demonstrates her relentless work ethic. She has consistently shown excellence, overcoming challenges with grace.
As the GMD of Zenith Bank, a role she assumed in June 2024, she is poised to steer the institution toward greater heights. Her strategic vision and innovative thinking will shape the bank’s future. Her track record of success, combined with her ability to inspire and motivate teams, ensures that Zenith Bank remains a powerhouse in the financial industry. Her remarkable journey is proof of hard work, humility, and a successful career. She is known for inspiring focused work and abiding by the rules.
Her romance with Zenith Bank started in 1998 when she was posted to the bank, and ever since, she has not looked back. Her 26-year stint reveals a story of hard work and determination. The greatest test to her career came when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a directive regarding the tenure of directors of commercial banks, forcing Adaora Umeoji to retire from the board as the deputy managing director in 2023. The apex bank had issued a circular directing directors on the board of banks to retire if they have spent 20 years as directors.
Many couldn’t envision Zenith Bank without imagining Umeoji as an active force of operations and success. Even when she was the DMD, she has helped steer the institution onto its current path. Even the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has commended her as a legendary figure in the bank.
But less than a year, later, the people’s daughter returned to Zenith Bank. With the directive adjusted, Umeoji resumed her role and continued to contribute significantly to the bank’s growth.
READ ALSO: Zenith Bank expands global network with Paris branch
Academic excellence and professional growth
In addition to her impressive work ethic, Dame Umeoji has also excelled academically, demonstrating her commitment to intellectual development. Her dedication to continuous learning and professional growth has set her apart as a role model for aspiring leaders.
Her academic pursuit has been marked by excellence. Remarkably, she holds first-class degrees in sociology, accounting, and law. She earned a first degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, added a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and graduated with first-class honours in Law from Baze University Abuja. She also holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar.
She is an alumnus of the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) from Harvard Business School, a graduate of the Global Banking Programme from Columbia Business School, and holds a doctorate degree in Business Administration from Apollos University, USA.
She has attended the Strategic Thinking and Management Programme at the Wharton Business School, USA, holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Management Sloan School, and received a Certificate in Leading Global Businesses from Harvard Business School, USA.
She is a fellow of notable professional bodies including the Chartered Banker Institute, United Kingdom, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the Institute of Credit Administrators, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Institute of Management, among others.
Beyond banking, Umeoji has made significant contributions towards research and learning on inspirational leadership, mentorship, talent development, collaboration, change and adaptability, strategic thinking, innovation, and creativity.
In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria conferred on her the national honour Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) award, in recognition of her contributions to nation-building, highlighting her dedication to the sustainable development of the country.
Her passion for charity work and compassion is legendary. According to a statement issued by Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation when she was appointed GMD/CEO, “Umeoji’s commitment to philanthropy is unwavering. She has championed numerous charitable initiatives, touching the lives of countless individuals.” The group said her passion for giving back to the community has led to transformative projects, from supporting education and healthcare to empowering vulnerable populations.
She is a peace advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC), and she supports various healthcare initiatives across Nigeria.
She is the founder of two organisations—Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation and Adorable Foundation. The Pink Breath Cancer Care Foundation runs several healthcare programmes every year across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. These programmes 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 across the country through various intervention initiatives.
Her contributions towards improving humanity have been recognised by various organisations including the Sun Newspaper which awarded her the Humanitarian Service Icon of the Year, 2023.
In the award citation, Dame Umeoji was recognised not just for her outstanding banking career and contributions to the development of an effective Nigerian financial services sector, but more importantly for her many philanthropic works and sustained commitment over the years to improving the lives of less privileged persons.
She founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity. A Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI) and a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester, awarded by His Holiness, Pope Francis, Dame Adaora Umeoji, OON, recently donated a church building to the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja and has held yuletide programmes for nearly two decades, positively impacting the lives of over 5,000 indigent children.
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