Delivering the keynote at the Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2025, Umeoji referenced global data showing that: 90% of the world’s data was created in the last two years; AI is projected to grow at 28% CAGR through 2030; the global blockchain market will exceed $300 billion by 2030, adding that:

“Nigeria is among the top three countries worldwide in cryptocurrency adoption, with $50 billion in transactions recorded in one year.

She also cited developments such as: European banks working on Euro-denominated stablecoins, the United States crafting digital-asset regulatory frameworks, and Asia hosting a “robotics Olympics” featuring 500 life-like robots competing in activities ranging from football to medical sorting.

“These realities show that the world is advancing at an unprecedented speed. Any business that fails to innovate will become extinct,” she warned.

Using personal examples, including a deepfake impersonation of her used to promote a fake investment scheme, Umeoji stressed the dual nature of AI as both a breakthrough technology and a cybersecurity threat.

She added that Zenith Bank is strengthening its infrastructure to stay ahead, including upgrading its core banking system to Oracle Flexcube, developing an Afrex portal for cross-border African trade, and continuing to invest in youth-focused ICT centres across universities.

“The future belongs to those who innovate boldly. Zenith Bank stands ready to support startups, entrepreneurs and tech talent in turning their ideas into world-changing solutions,” she said.

For some of us who have attended a few such forums in the past, this year’s edition stands out as the best from a Nigerian perspective, especially because of the organization and selection of relevant, successful Nigerian entrepreneurs who attended.

Though it was a government-to-government outing, the event was largely driven by the private sector, including experienced foreigners who functioned as moderators. In the past, the Nigerian government would showcase CEOs of companies that foreign investors found it difficult to connect with.

Also, this year, Nigeria’s leading women CEOs were presented to the French and global investment communities. I was impressed with the confidence Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, the CEO of Zenith Bank, Dr. Owen Omogiafor and Jumoke Oduwole, the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment exhibited during their respective presentations.

This is good for the Tinubu administration and the Nigeria economy and in tandem with emerging global trends where women have been raising the bar in entrepreneurship and leadership.

However, what was exceptional to me as a Nigerian UK-based property investor, was the presentation of Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox and Konga Group as he was introduced.

He gave a completely different perspective to the event, speaking with confidence on the technology capacity of Nigeria to support foreign investors.

He assured the foreign investors of the existence of world-class IT professionals in their thousands who are available to support these investors.

He pleaded with French investors to invest in the educational sector and partner with some Nigerian educational institutions to produce graduates who may become global citizens in the corporate world.

It was a great eye-opener for the packed hall as he personally gave an example of what his companies have done in the tech sector for French companies in Nigeria over 30 years ago. Most of these companies had their CEOs present at the event.

Ekeh’s confidence was infectious, and you could gauge the impact of his audacious presentation from the faces of both the foreigners and Nigerians in the audience.

I am sure there are many companies with the profile of Zinox and Konga Group that are yet to be showcased to the world.

People left the hall very impressed. Though I was unable to reach him as he had a few persons engaging him, and I left immediately after his presentation, I spent time on Google to check out this Nigerian who presented the Nigerian technology roadmap over 30 years back.

One of his most impactful impressions in his presentation was when he said that you cannot anticipate future investments anywhere in the world without technology as your enabler.

Google revealed a lot about this humble Africa’s leading tech icon. It was a great expose for a Nigerian who pioneered many tech initiatives on the continent.

Very touching was what led him to transition Nigeria from analogue petrol dispensing pumps at filling stations to today’s digital dispensing pumps when he was cheated at a petrol station, amongst others.

His profile also mentioned how he lost over $28m in one swoop on an AI and Robotics investment that failed after he acquired the largest warehouse in the city of Lagos to install the intelligent, high-end project over eight years ago.

As I was travelling back to UK, I was reflecting on opportunities that abound in Nigeria. Today, we celebrate Elon Musk, the world’s richest man who has an African background but who made his money outside Africa, but I wager that Musk could not have made as much money if he had stayed back in Africa. Never!

Ekeh’s reason for not hitting the jackpot is that he is operating out of a very limited Nigeria economy with structural challenges and several infrastructural deficits.

The young Minister of Technology and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani, should be encouraged to produce more Dr. Ekehs to guarantee the future of Nigeria.

Ekeh in his narration talked about how as a young man he returned to Nigeria over 37 years ago with a vision to launch what he called ‘Digital Democracy’ by digitalising elections and electoral processes in the country.

He also narrated his effort at consolidation of data through digital census to guide planning and investments to achieve his ambition of promoting Nigeria to the status of an economy the world can trust.

He may have achieved his vision for digital elections with massive tech deployment which his company handled, but I am not sure how he could achieve a trusted economy where 80% of successful persons in the country are in oil and gas, cement, road construction, all brutally controlled by government both directly and vicariously.

Tech is the present and the future, and the Nigerian government must be intentional by patronising and helping to grow indigenous players to ensure they remain competitive on the global stage. I must say that I am proud of Dr. Ekeh and his achievements as a serial tech entrepreneur.

His work inspires confidence in Nigeria’s potential. However, the next two years will be pivotal in proving that this progress can be sustained.

The appointment is said to be subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Adaora Umeoji, takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, 2024, after a very successful tenure.

Of significance to note, is the fact that, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMD/CEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within.

However, she has close to 30 years cognate banking experience of which 26 years has been with Zenith Bank.

Before the appointment as GMD/CEO, Dr. Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016m.

Who is Adaora Umeoji?

A brief look into Dr. Adaora Umeoji‘s profile shows a combination of outstanding academic strength and topnotch professional experience which must have endeared  and qualified for her recent appointment.

The New Zenith Boss, and a recipient of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos,  a bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a First-Class honors in Law from Baze University, Abuja respectively.

Furthermore, she holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar, and also has a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.

Adaora Umeoji, is  an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where she attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program.

Not satisfy yet,  she still pursue earn for herself   a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA, and has attended various management programmes in renowned Universities around the world including the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA.

Whilst  also attended the executive program in Strategic Management, and a Certificate in Leading Global Business all from Harvard Business School, USA.

The New  Zenith  Group Managing Director, is a fellow of notable professional bodies including the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Credit Administration, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria among others.

In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured Dr. Umeoji with Officer of the Order of the Niger, as a recognition of her contributions to nation building. She is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC).

Dr. Adaora has also  impacted many lives through her philanthropic and humanitarian activities through her NGOs; Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation and the Adorable Foundation that educates, caters for Cancer patients and indigent children education especially the Girl-Child. Her contribution to humanity was recognized by the Sun Newspaper which recently bestowed on her the Humanitarian Service Icon Award for 2023.

As a result of her passion for promoting professionalism in the banking industry and improving the well-being of the less privileged, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.

She is a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and was awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.