Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, OON[1] (born July 28, 1964) is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc. She joined Fidelity Bank as an Executive Director in 2015[2] and was appointed Managing Director/CEO in January 2021, becoming the first female MD/CEO in the bank's history.[3]

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe
Born (1964-07-28) July 28, 1964 (age 59)
Lagos State, Nigeria
Alma materKing's College London
OccupationBanker
Years active1990 - present
EmployerFidelity Bank Nigeria
TitleGMD/CEO, Fidelity Bank
Term2020 - present
PredecessorNnamdi Okonkwo
Websitewww.fidelitybank.ng

Early life edit

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe was born in Lagos, Nigeria. She also lived in Owerri, Imo State, where she studied at the Federal Government Girls’ College.[4]

Education edit

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master of Law from Kings College, London.[5] She has attended executive training programs at various institutions including Harvard Business School, The Wharton School University of Pennsylvania, and London Business School. Additionally, she recently completed a Diploma program in Organizational Leadership at Said Business School, Oxford University, UK.[5] She holds an honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and is an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), awarded by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2023.[2][6]

Career edit

In 1990, she began working in banking as a legal officer for the now-defunct African Continental Bank. She subsequently worked as a treasury officer for the First African Trust Bank. She later joined Zenith Bank and Standard Chartered Bank respectively.[7][8]

Onyeali-Ikpe has held leadership positions at Citizens International Bank, Zenith Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank, among others. She has been instrumental in structuring complex transactions across various sectors including Oil and Gas, Manufacturing, Aviation, Real Estate, and Export.[citation needed]

Enterprise Bank edit

In 2011, she joined Enterprise Bank as an executive director of the bank's operations in Lagos and other locations in the South-Western region in Nigeria.[9]

Fidelity Bank edit

Onyeali-Ikpe joined the commercial bank Fidelity as an executive director in January, 2015. Fidelity Bank announced Onyeali-Ikpe as its managing director in December 2021.[10]

Under her leadership, Fidelity Bank witnessed significant growth, increasing its Profit Before Tax (PBT) from N25.22bn in FY 2021 to N122bn in FY 2023.[11] Onyeali-Ikpe has led the bank's expansion into international markets, including the recent approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria to acquire Fidelity Bank UK Limited (formerly Union Bank UK).[12][13]

Passionate about innovation and technology, Onyeali-Ikpe has spearheaded initiatives such as PayGate Plus, an online payment platform, and the Fidelity International Trade & Creative Connect (FITCC) aimed at supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) globally[citation needed]

Awards and Recognitions edit

In recognition of her leadership, Onyeali-Ikpe has received several awards including The Banker of the Year 2022 at the 14th Leadership Annual Conference,[14] Best Banking CEO Nigeria 2023 in the 2023 Global Banking & Finance Awards,[15] 2023 Top 25 CEOs in Nigeria at the BusinessDay Awards,[16] and Banker of the Year 2022 at the Champion Newspapers’ Awards of the Year 2022[17]

She also received acknowledgment from the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) for her role in restructuring the former Enterprise Bank. As an Executive Director, she oversaw operations in the Lagos and southwest regions, managing the Retail and SME divisions. Additionally, she played a key role in establishing the Bank’s SME group.[5]

She serves on various Committees and organizations including the Financial Literacy and Public Enlightenment Sub-Committee of the CBN Bankers Committee and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.[18]

Personal life edit

Onyeali-Ikpe is married to Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, PhD, a leader in Marketing, Branding, and Consumer Consulting.[19]

References edit

  1. ^ Partners, N. M. (2023-06-11). "Fidelity Bank MD, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe gets national award". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  2. ^ a b "Fidelity Bank appoints Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe MD-designate". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  3. ^ Staff, Daily Post (2023-06-09). "Fidelity Bank MD, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe gets national award". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  4. ^ Eboigbe, Epa Ogie (2021-01-04). "MEET NNEKA ONYEALI-IKPE, THE NEW CEO OF FIDELITY BANK". Epa. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  5. ^ a b c Ekugo, Ngozi (2022-05-25). "WCW: Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, an astute banker and builder of people". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  6. ^ Enenaite, Blessing (2023-07-30). "Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe's undeniable impact". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  7. ^ Nairametrics (2015-09-06). "Here Is What You Need To Know About Fidelity Bank's Two New Executive Director's". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  8. ^ Taiwo, Lukmon (2020-12-23). "Facts on Incoming First Female Fidelity Bank MD, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe". P.M. News. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  9. ^ Awojulugbe, Oluseyi (2021-01-03). "Onyeali-Ikpe assumes office as Fidelity Bank CEO". TheCable. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
  10. ^ "Onyeali-Ikpe assumes Office as MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank". 2021-01-03. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  11. ^ Olujinmi, David (2024-02-01). "Fidelity Bank releases unaudited financial statements for 2023, posts 128% pre-tax profit". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  12. ^ Adamolekun, Ronald (2023-09-14). "Fidelity Bank completes takeover of Union Bank UK". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  13. ^ Okojie, Kelvin (2023-09-14). "Fidelity Bank completes 100% acquisition of Union Bank UK". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  14. ^ Bello, Olushola (2023-02-06). "Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe Bags LEADERSHIP Banker Of The Year Award". Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  15. ^ "GLOBAL BANKING & FINANCE AWARDS® – 2023 – Award Winners". 2022-12-29. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  16. ^ Onuh, Chioma (2023-09-18). "BusinessDay honours 25 outstanding CEOs". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  17. ^ Anaro, Blessing (2023-02-05). "Fidelity MD bags Banker of the year award". Blueprint Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  18. ^ "Central Bank of Nigeria| Director Listing For Financial Institutions | Page". www.cbn.gov.ng. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  19. ^ 78marketing (2021-02-06). "Ken Onyeali Ikpe's wife Nneka made md-designate at Fidelity Bank".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)