Adaora Umeoji Retires As Zenith Bank DMD After New Tenure Limit Expires

The Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji has retired from the financial institution following the new tenure limits for banks’ executives released recently by the CBN.

BrandNewsDay Nigeria reports that Zenith Bank made this disclosure in a notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday, 3 March 2023, which was signed by its Company Secretary/General Counsel, Michael Otu.

Umeoji’s retirement became effective on February 24th, 2023, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new policy.

The bank explained: “We write to notify the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public of the retirement of Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji from the board of Zenith Bank Plc with effect from February 24, 2023.

“This follows the expiration of her tenure of office as Deputy Managing Director in line with the CBN circular No. FPR/DIR/PUB/CIR/001/070 dated February 24, 2023. The board wishes her success in her future endeavours.”

CBN last week revised the regulatory requirements for the tenure of Executive Management and Non-executive Directors (NEDs) of deposit money banks (DMB) and financial holding companies (HoldCos).

The apex bank, which disclosed this in a circular to all banks dated February 24, 2023, titled: “Re: Review of Tenure of Executive Management and Non-Executive Directors of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria,” had explained that the regulation was in line with the Code of Corporate for Banks and Discount Houses (Ref: FPR/DIR/CIR/GEN/01/004).

The letter was signed by the Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department, CBN, Mr. Chibuzo Efobi.

According to the CBN, the tenure of Executive Directors (EDs), Deputy Managing Directors (DMDs) and Managing Directors (MDs), shall be in accordance with the terms of their engagement approved by the board of directors of banks, subject to a maximum tenure of 10 years.

Furthermore, the banking sector regulator stated that where an executive, who is a DMD becomes the MD/CEO of a bank, or any other DMB before the end of his or her maximum tenure, the cumulative tenure of the such executive shall not exceed 12 years.