11 women CEOs of popular banks in Nigeria
The Nigerian banking industry has had a tremendous metamorphosis over the last 20 years, propelling numerous industry participants into the international scene.
These days, visionary women run eleven of the top banks in the country, exemplifying excellent leadership and producing outstanding financial results.
News Access NG curates the full list of 11 women Chief Executive officers (CEOs) of top banks in Nigeria.
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Here is the full list of 11 women Bank CEOs in Nigeria
Miriam Olusanya (GTBank)
Miriam Olusanya is the first woman to assume the role of Managing Director at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank).
She took on this role in In July 2021.
Olusanya holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool as well as a Pharmacy degree from the University of Ibadan.
Yemisi Edun (FCMB):
Yemisi Edun is the first woman to occupy the role of managing director and chief executive officer of First City Monument Bank.
Edun took over the position after Adam Nuhu was suspended in July 2021.
Halima Buba (SunTrust Bank):
Buba is SunTrust Bank plc’s managing director and CEO.
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Born in the Northern part of Nigeria, Adamawa state, Halima Buba is an established banker and a businesswoman.
Ireti Samuel-Ogbu (Citibank):
On September 2020, Ireti Samuel-Ogbu emerged as the MD/CEO of Citibank Nigeria Limited.
Samuel-Ogbu is the bank’s first female Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (Fidelity Bank):
Nneka Onyeali-is a Nigerian banker and business executive.
She is Fidelity Bank Nigeria’s first female chief executive officer and managing director.
Tomi Somefun (Unity Bank):
Oluwatomi Somefun is a Nigerian banker and businesswoman.
She is Unity Bank plc’s current managing director and CEO.
Kafilat Araoye (Lotus Bank):
Currently serving as LOTUS Bank’s CEO and Managing Director, Kafilat Araoye brings experience from her prior positions at GTBank, XYZ Outsourcing, and Management Consulting Limited.
Araoye graduated with a master’s degree in personnel administration and industrial relations from the University of Lagos in 1987.
Bukola Smith (FSDH Merchant Bank):
In April 2021, Bukola Smith emerged as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of FSDH Merchant Bank.
Bukola Smith is an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and a fellow of ICAN.
Yetunde Oni (Union Bank):
Union Bank’s new MD/CEO is Yetunde Oni.
She was Standard Chartered Bank’s first female managing director and CEO in Sierra Leone.
Ms. Bolaji Agbede (Access Bank):
On Monday, February 12, Access Holdings Plc announced the appointment of Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the holding company.
Her appointment comes after the passing of the company’s late Group Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, in an American helicopter crash.
Agbede has held a number of positions at the bank, including Head, Group Human Resources from 2010 to 2022, and then the founding Executive Director of Business Support from 2022 until her new role.
Adaora Umeoji (Zenith Bank)
In June 2024, Dr. Adaora Umeoji emerged as Zenith Bank’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (GMD/CEO).
She took over as the bank’s first female boss.
Before her appointment, Umeoji served as the bank’s deputy managing director.
She has over thirty years of banking experience and joined Zenith Bank on October 28, 2016.
Her educational background includes completion of esteemed programs at Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, and MIT Management Sloan School.
She also possesses various degrees, including a PhD in business administration.
