Ebenezer Onyeagwu
By Our Reporter
The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. EbenezerOnyeagwu, has been named ‘Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa’ in theInternational Banker 2023 Banking Awards. The award, published in the Spring 2023Issue of the International Banker Magazine, sees Dr Onyeagwu honoured alongsideother individuals and banks from the Middle East and Africa.Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Onyeagwu commended the Publishers ofthe International Banker for considering him a fitting recipient of the ‘Best Banking CEOof the Year in Africa’ award. He stated, “This award reflects the bank’s position as aleading financial institution in Nigeria and the African continent. It also attests to ourcommitment to principles of sustainability and high ethical standards, which havebecome integral to our overall strategy as an institution”.He dedicated the award to the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his guidanceand mentorship; the bank’s management team and staff, for being the shoulder uponwhich his achievements and success as CEO rests; and the bank’s customers formaking Zenith Bank their bank of choice.Dr Onyeagwu’s outstanding career has led to him receiving multiple awards, includingBank CEO of the Year (2019) by Champion Newspaper, Bank CEO of the Year (2020,2021 & 2022) by BusinessDay Newspaper, CEO of the Year (2020 and 2021) – SERASAwards, and CEO of the Year (2022) – Leadership Newspaper.As Group Managing Director/CEO, Dr Onyeagwu has led Zenith Bank to achievetremendous feats and milestones in financial performance (including 47 per cent growthin the bank’s market capitalisation in four years), financial inclusion, corporategovernance and sustainability. These efforts have culminated in several local andinternational awards and recognitions including being recognised as Number One Bankin Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 WorldBanks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in TheBanker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for threeconsecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards;Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021 and 2022 in the World Finance Banking Awards;Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate GovernanceAwards 2022; ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa, for four
consecutive years from 2020 to 2023, by the Ethical Boardroom; and the MostResponsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.On March 25, 2023, he was conferred with a Doctorate Degree in BusinessAdministration by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria’s first indigenous University,in recognition of his immense achievements as Group Managing Director/CEO of ZenithBank as well as his contributions to the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeriaand across the African continent. The award was given during the 50th convocationceremony of the University.Published by Finance Publishing Limited, the International Banker is a leading globalsource of authoritative analysis and opinion on banking, finance and world affairs. Itsinfluence, integrity, accuracy and objective opinion have earned it global recognition. TheInternational Banker Awards strive to recognise the most worthy financial institutionsaround the world – those not just doing their jobs well but exceptionally well – thoseoperating at the industry’s cutting edge and setting new performance levels to whichothers will aspire. The 2023 Banking Awards focused on various criteria, including theprovision of much-needed capital for economic growth, cutting-edge innovation toenhance security and efficiency, commitment to sustainability and ESG principles, aswell as intelligent investing to maximise profits and shareholder value.
