Every champion has a story, especially those who were are made when no one was watching. This statement characterizes the journey of one man who has changed the face of the banking landscape and leaving others wondering if he had a magic wand.
The name, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, rings a loud bell among followers and key players in the Nigerian banking sector following his immense contribution to the sector and the growth of one of the country’s leading financial institutions, Zenith Bank Plc.
It would be too quick to say that the Accounting graduate from Auchi Polythechnic, Edo State, who bagged a post-graduate diploma at Oxford University, has reached the zenith of his career as a banking expert, his latest feat shows that he has so much up his sleeves and stakeholders in the sector should brace up for more of his Midas touch.
On Monday, June 1 2019, Onyeagwu, who has undertaken several executive-level education from Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School of Columbia University, the Harvard Business School of Harvard University and the Lagos Business School of the Pan Atlantic University, was announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as the new Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc.
This achievement comes on the heels of the emergence of Zenith Bank Plc as the best bank in Nigeria in the recently released Global Finance Magazine World’s Best Banks Awards 2020.
These events are no coincidences but a testimony to his immense and unwavering contribution to the banking sector despite the odds that the sector has been faced with in recent times.
Moreso, a look at Onyeagwu’s journey in the banking world shows that he deserves an accolade from everyone who appreciate hardwork and positive results.
In a career spanning about three decades, he began what has turned an illustrious career at the defunct Financial Merchant Bank in 1991 before moving to Citizens International Bank Limited.
He, however, joined Zenith Bank as a senior manager in the internal control and audit unit in 2002.
Onyeagwu who qualified as a chartered accountant in 1989 would rise to be the Assistant General Manager, then Deputy General Manager, and eventually General Manager of the bank between 2003 and 2005.
Meanwhile, his rise to the upper echelon of the financial outfit saw him become Executive Director of the bank in 2013, taking charge of Lagos and south-south zones, while also siting on the board of Zenith Bank Ghana, Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited, Zenith Nominees Limited and African Finance Corporation (AFC).
He was further named the third on the list of directors with the most shares in the bank, after accruing 5.5 million units from 3.1 million units.
With so much feathers to just one cap, it would not be out of order to describe the banking chief as a toast of many captains of many industry.
To this end, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, can well be referred to as a champion of our time who is in line to set and break the best records yet.
