By Babajide Okeowo
As Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe assumed duty as the new Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc she is poised to execute the next growth phase of the bank.
Onyeali-Ikpe whose tenure formally commenced on January 1, 2021, succeeded the erstwhile MD/CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, who retired on December 31, 2020.
She becomes the fourth chief executive officer and the first female to occupy the position since the inception of the bank in 1988.
Already, her assumption of duty is eliciting positive remarks from stakeholders and top corporate personalities in the country.
Former Central Bank of Nigeria’s, CBN Deputy Governor, Kingsley Moghalu has nothing but rave review for the appointment of Onyeali-Ikpe, he described the appointment as a “worthy and fitting appointment”.
“A worthy and fitting appointment. From when I supervised Nigeria’s banking sector as Deputy Governor for Financial System Stability (FSS) of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009-2014 I found Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe a diligent, results-oriented banker. Congratulations” he enthused.
On his part, Bayo Adeyinka, a finance expert attested to Onyeali-Ikpe’s resourcefulness, unbelievable energy, and industry knowledge.
“Here’s congratulations to my boss, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe as she assumes office as the MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc.
I have worked with you for over 10 years across 3 different institutions and I can attest to your resourcefulness, unbelievable energy, and industry knowledge” he wrote.
Similarly, Maryanne Moghalu labeled Onyeali-Ikpe’s appointment as a reward for hard-work, diligence, and consistency.
“Congratulations to my dear friend Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe on assuming her role as MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank. Hardwork, diligence, consistency and the grace of God got her here. I know she will discharge her duties with excellence and integrity. More wins ahead” she wrote.
Recall that Onyeali-Ikpe tenure formally commenced on January 1, 2021. Fidelity Bank in a statement at the weekend, assured customers that the bank, “under her leadership, will consolidate on the already laid foundation and track record of performance, to execute the next growth phase.”
Onyeali-Ikpe was formerly the Executive Director, Lagos and South-west Directorate of the bank and has been an integral part of management in the last six years.
She joined the bank in 2015 and spearheaded the transformation of the directorate, leading it to profitability and sustained its impressive year-on-year growth across key performance metrics, including contributing over 28% of the bank’s profit before tax, deposits, and loans.
She is vastly experienced and has spent over 30 years working in various banks, including Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, and Citizens International Bank/Enterprise Bank, where she held management positions in legal, treasury, investment banking, retail/commercial banking, and corporate banking.
As an executive director at legacy Enterprise Bank Plc, she received formal commendation from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), as a member of the management team that successfully turned around Enterprise Bank Plc.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Kings College, London; and has attended executive training programmes at notable global institutions including Harvard Business School; The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania; INSEAD School of Business; Chicago Booth School of Business; London Business School and IMD.
