Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Kennedy Onuwa Okwudili as Executive Director, with effect from May 1, 2026, according to a regulatory filing submitted to the Nigerian Exchange.
The disclosure, signed by Company Secretary Michael Otu, indicated that the appointment aligns with the bank’s broader succession planning framework aimed at strengthening its executive management team through the promotion of experienced internal talent.
Mr. Okwudili brings over 25 years of banking experience spanning credit and marketing, treasury operations, compliance, and other key functional areas within the institution. His elevation reflects a long-standing career within Zenith Bank, during which he has served across multiple regions and departments.
He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri, an MBA from Ahmadu Bello University, and a Master of Science in Accounting from Veritas University Abuja. In addition, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, as well as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
His professional development includes executive training at leading global institutions such as the Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, and Saïd Business School. He currently serves as President of the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria.
Strong Financial Momentum
The leadership update comes amid strong financial performance by Zenith Bank. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the lender reported a pre-tax profit of N917.4 billion, driven by growth in interest income, fees, and balance sheet expansion.
Interest income rose significantly by 40.8% year-on-year to N2.74 trillion, supported by higher returns from loans and investment securities. Earnings from loans and advances stood at N1.3 trillion, while investment securities, including treasury bills, contributed N740.5 billion.
Non-interest income also recorded growth, with fees and commissions increasing by 10.45% to N299 billion. Key contributors included account maintenance charges and electronic banking fees.
The bank’s total assets grew by 2.6% to N31.18 trillion, reflecting increases in cash holdings, loan portfolios, and investment securities.
On the equities market, Zenith Bank has delivered strong returns to investors, with its shares gaining over 73% year-to-date in 2026. The stock crossed the N100 threshold for the first time in March and was priced at N107.5 in premarket trading on March 24.
The bank is yet to release its audited full-year 2025 financial results, which are anticipated to reflect the robust performance recorded during the nine-month period.