Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu is a seasoned banker with nearly 30 years of experience in the banking industry.
He holds a degree in Accounting from Auchi Polytechnic and has completed executive programs at prestigious institutions including Oxford and Harvard.
Under his leadership, Zenith Bank achieved significant milestones, earning numerous awards, including Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa.
Education
Onyeagwu graduated with a degree in Accounting from Auchi Polytechnic, obtaining an Ordinary National Diploma in 1984 and a Higher National Diploma in 1987.
He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1989 and became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in 2003.
Onyeagwu also earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Strategy from the University of Oxford and completed executive programs at Wharton, Columbia, Harvard, and Lagos Business School.
In 2023, he received a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Career
Onyeagwu began his banking career in 1991 at Financial Merchant Bank, where he gained foundational experience in various banking operations.
He then moved to Citizens International Bank, where he continued to build his expertise in the banking sector before joining Zenith Bank in 2002.
Upon joining Zenith Bank, Onyeagwu took on the role of Senior Manager in Internal Control and Audit.
In 2013, he was promoted to Executive Director, overseeing multiple operational areas including corporate banking, retail banking, and treasury.
In 2016, Onyeagwu advanced to the position of Deputy Managing Director, where he played a crucial role in strategic planning and execution, driving innovation and improving service delivery within the bank.
On June 1, 2019, he was appointed as the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, succeeding Peter Amangbo.
During his tenure as CEO, Onyeagwu led Zenith Bank to consistently report strong financial results, achieving significant growth in profit margins and asset quality.
Under his leadership, Zenith Bank received numerous accolades, including being named Best Bank in Nigeria by several financial publications.
Awards
Onyeagwu has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his distinguished career, particularly during his tenure as Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc.
Notably, he was named the Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa at the International Banker Awards in both 2023 and 2024, marking his recognition for two consecutive years.
Additionally, Onyeagwu has been honored as Bank CEO of the Year by Champion Newspaper in 2019 and again in 2023.
BusinessDay Newspaper recognized him as Bank CEO of the Year from 2020 to 2023.
He also received the CEO of the Year award from SERAS Awards in 2020 and 2021, and from Leadership Newspaper in 2022.
