Business - Companies
Updated: October 29, 2021

Meet Nnamdi Okonkwo, Newly Appointed GMD Of First Bank Holdings Plc

By Bolanle Akinlade
October 29, 2021
0

Nnamdi John Okonkwo, the recently appointed Group Managing Director (GMD) of First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc (FBNHoldings) is to take up his new role on January 1, 2022.

The Board of FBNHoldings announced the appointment of the new GMD on Thursday, October 28, 2021.

Okonkwo is to takeover from U.K. Eke, who has completed his two-term tenure as GMD.

Nnamdi and Eke, incoming and outgoing GMD of First Bank Holdings Plc.

Prior to his appointment, Okonkwo was the immediate past Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc.

The 56-year-old banking mogul was born in Otukpo, Benue State, North Central, Nigeria.

Schools attended

For his secondary school education, he attended Wesley High School, Otukpo, Benue State between 1977 and 1982.

Upon completing his secondary school education, he proceeded to the University of Benin to obtain his Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics in 1989.

Nnamdi Okonkwo also holds an MBA degree in Banking and Finance from Enugu State University of Technology, Nigeria.

He went further to obtain his Masters in Business Administration and Banking and Finance from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.

He continued to grow in his career and soon became a graduate of the Advanced Management Program (AMP) of INSEAD, the business school of the 'world of France'.

In the quest for more professional growth, he attended some business schools including; Harvard Business School, Wharton Business School and Stanford Graduate School for business, leadership and management training programs.

His Banking Career

Having spent over 20 years in the banking sector, below are some of the banks that Nnamdi Okonkwo had worked with:

He started his career in banking by working at the Financial Services Department of the Merchant Bank of Africa, Nigeria, in 1990.

Four years later, he moved to Guarantee Trust Bank (GT Bank) and become a branch manager before moving ahead to hold various positions in other banks including the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.

While at UBA, he held various managerial and leadership positions such as; Regional Bank Head in Lagos; Regional Director, Federal Capital, Nigeria; Project Director, and Head of Corporate Banking and Multinational Corporates Division; Managing Director/CEO of UBA Ghana; and Regional Chief Executive Officer of the bank’s West Africa Monetary Zone covering Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Nnamdi Okonkwo eventually left UBA in 2012 to join Fidelity Bank Plc, Nigeria.

At Fidelity bank, he was appointed the Executive Director in charge of the Bank’s businesses in Southern Nigeria and held the position until January 1, 2019, when he was appointed the Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank.

Scandal

Some time in June 2021, rumour began circulating online that the board of directors of Fidelity Bank had approved an investigation into the previous activities of Okonkwo. The Board had however quickly responded by describing the report as false and malicious.

According to a statement by the bank, issued on July 4, it was stated that the board continues to hold Okonkwo in high esteem for his invaluable contribution to the growth of the financial institution.

Board membership

Nnamdi Okonkwo is a board member in some reputable financial institution such as Fidelity Bank Plc., Unified Payment Services Ltd and Nigeria Inter-Bank settlement system Plc.