His appointment was contained in a circular dated January 10, 2024 signed by Sidi-Ali Hakama, the acting director of Corporate Communication at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Education and Career

Mr. Hassan Imam holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Usmanu  Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. A Master of Science (MS Treasury Management) and an MBA from Business School Netherlands. He is a member of the Chartered Public Accountant.

Prior to his appointment to lead Polaris Bank, Lawal was the former Executive Director at Sterling Bank. Until his new appointment, he was the CEO of Intermediate Equity Partners Ltd — a financial consultancy firm incorporated in Lagos on October 4, 2018.

He has over 25 years of Banking expertise and has held a variety of managerial positions during his career.

Imam was the Executive Director for the North Region at Fidelity Bank from January 2020 till his appointment as CEO. In that role, he oversaw Fidelity Bank’s commercial, SME, consumer, and public sector operations in 19 Northern Nigerian states, including Abuja.

He is also Member of The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

In the past Hassan Imam occupied the position of General Manager at FSB International Bank Plc.

In a statement by Mrs Sidi Ali, Hakama, the acting director of Corporate Communication of CBN, on the Bank’s verified X handle @cenbank says the newly appointed executives are to assume their roles with immediate effect.

Union Bank

• Yetunde Oni – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
• Mannir Ubali Ringim – Executive Director

Keystone Bank

• Hassan Imam – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
• Chioma A. Mang – Executive Director

Polaris Bank

• Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
• Chris Onyeka Ofikulu – Executive Director

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had dissolved the Board and Management of Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank on Wednesday.

Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs Sidi Hakama in a statement says the action became necessary due to the non-compliance of these banks and their respective boards with the provisions of Section 12(c), (f), (g), (h) of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020.