Unity Bank Appoints Ebenezer Kolawole as Acting MD/CEO
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Unity Bank Plc has appointed Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole (FCA) as its Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) following the retirement of Mrs. Oluwatomi Somefun. The announcement was made during the bank’s 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos and has received approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
A Leader with 30+ Years of Experience
With over three decades of experience in banking, finance, and corporate leadership, Kolawole brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. His career began in 1992 at Caribbean Finance Limited in Kaduna, after which he held key positions in several major financial institutions:
- Ecobank – Served in various capacities across Operations and Finance, eventually becoming Deputy Financial Controller.
- Standard Trust Bank (STB) – Played a pivotal role in the STB-UBA merger, which led to the creation of a stronger financial entity.
- United Bank for Africa (UBA) – Served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) post-merger, overseeing financial strategy and integration.
- Mainstreet Bank – As Group Chief Finance Officer (GCFO), he spearheaded turnaround and transformation initiatives.
- Globacom – Contributed to corporate business development in Nigeria’s leading indigenous telecommunications company.
Academic and Professional Credentials
Kolawole holds a First-Class Honours degree in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. He has also completed executive education programs at:
- Columbia Business School, New York, USA
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA
He is a distinguished member of several professional bodies, including:
- Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA)
- Fellow, Institute of Credit Administration (FICA)
- Honorary Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB)
- Associate Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (AMNIM)
- Member, Institute of Directors (IoD)
Driving Growth at Unity Bank
Kolawole joined Unity Bank Plc in 2015 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) before being appointed Executive Director in 2018, overseeing Finance, Operations, and Information Technology. Throughout his tenure, he has been instrumental in:
- Strategic transformation and restructuring efforts
- Cost optimization and operational efficiency
- Enhancing the bank’s market positioning and growth initiatives
Vision for the Future
As Acting MD/CEO, Kolawole is set to lead the bank’s ongoing corporate programs and drive its strategic business initiatives, ensuring sustained growth and operational excellence. His leadership is expected to strengthen Unity Bank’s position in the financial sector, fostering innovation and stability.
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