Zenith Bank’s Onyeagwu Named ‘Best Banking CEO Of The Year In Africa’ For 2Nd Year

Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, has been honored as the ‘Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa’ at the International Banker 2024 Banking Awards.

This accolade, published in the Spring 2024 issue of International Banker Magazine in the United Kingdom, marks the second consecutive year Dr. Onyeagwu has received this prestigious recognition. The award coincides with the completion of his five-year tenure on May 31, 2024.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Onyeagwu expressed profound gratitude to the publishers of International Banker, stating, “It is indeed an honor to be recognized as the ‘Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa’ for a second consecutive year. This award is a testament to our team’s collective efforts and our commitment to innovation, growth, and delivering value to our customers and stakeholders.

It also reflects our dedication to sustainability and high ethical standards, which are integral to our overall strategy. I am immensely proud of our accomplishments and look forward to future opportunities for the bank as I hand over the baton to my successor and begin the mandatory regulatory cooling-off period.”

Dr. Onyeagwu dedicated the award to Dr. Jim Ovia, CFR, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, for his mentorship, as well as to the bank’s management team, staff, and loyal customers.

During his tenure, Dr. Onyeagwu has garnered numerous accolades, including multiple ‘Bank CEO of the Year’ awards from Champion Newspaper, BusinessDay Newspaper, SERAS Awards, Leadership Newspaper, and International Banker. His leadership has steered Zenith Bank to substantial achievements in financial performance, financial inclusion, corporate governance, and sustainability, earning the bank several prestigious awards both locally and internationally.

Since his appointment on June 1, 2019, Dr. Onyeagwu has led Zenith Bank to notable accomplishments, including being named Best Bank in Nigeria for four of the last five years by the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards. The bank was also recognized for its digital solutions by the Euromoney Awards and listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies. Additionally, Zenith Bank has been the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for 14 consecutive years in The Banker Magazine’s Top 1000 World Banks Ranking.

Other significant recognitions include Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria by the World Finance Banking Awards, Best Corporate Governance Bank by the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards, and Bank of the Year by The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards. Zenith Bank’s commitment to sustainability has been acknowledged by the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards, where it was named Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria.

Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu

Dr. Onyeagwu’s impact extends beyond the banking sector, as evidenced by his honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, awarded during the institution’s 50th convocation ceremony in March 2023.

The International Banker, published by Finance Publishing Limited, is a leading global source of authoritative analysis and opinion on banking, finance, and world affairs. The magazine’s annual awards recognize financial institutions and leaders who operate at the industry’s cutting edge and set new performance standards. The 2024 Banking Awards emphasized criteria such as economic growth contribution, innovation, sustainability, ESG principles, and intelligent investing.

Dr. Onyeagwu’s recognition as ‘Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa’ underscores his exceptional leadership and Zenith Bank’s significant strides under his stewardship. As he transitions from his role, his legacy of excellence, innovation, and sustainability continues to set a high standard for the industry.