Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the Ecobank Group, has announced a significant leadership update. Effective June 4, 2025, Ayo Adepoju, who currently serves as the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will assume the role of Group Executive Director. This appointment underscores Ecobank's strategy of fostering internal talent and leveraging experienced leadership to steer its future growth.

Mr. Adepoju brings to his new role over two decades of extensive leadership experience and a profound understanding of Ecobank's operations, having joined the institution in 2012. His areas of expertise are comprehensive, encompassing strategic planning, capital markets, treasury management, investor relations, business performance management, governance, enterprise transformation, financial due diligence, internal control, risk-based audit, and financial management. Before his tenure at Ecobank, he honed his skills in the Financial Services Practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in London and Lagos.

Since joining Ecobank, Adepoju has held several pivotal leadership positions, including Group Financial Controller and Group Head of Business Performance and Analytics, prior to becoming Group CFO. He has been instrumental in shaping the Group's long-term financial resilience, developing its capital strategy, and driving its financial transformation. Notably, he has spearheaded numerous strategic initiatives, including landmark capital market transactions such as Eurobonds, Basel III-compliant securities, and debt instruments with a sustainability connection. These efforts have significantly expanded Ecobank's presence in global capital markets and enhanced transparency and investor engagement.

Ayo Adepoju's strong academic background complements his professional achievements. He graduated with First-Class Honours from the University of Lagos and holds an MBA from Warwick Business School. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Further burnishing his credentials, Adepoju earned a Ph.D. in Organisational Leadership from Regent University in the United States and completed executive education courses at prestigious institutions like Wharton, London Business School, and, most recently in 2024, Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program. He is also a published author, a respected thought leader in organisational strategy and finance, and an official member of the Forbes Finance Council.

The appointment has been met with strong endorsement from Ecobank's leadership. Papa Madiaw Ndiaye, Chairman of the Ecobank Group, commended Adepoju's outstanding performance, stating, "This appointment was both logical and strategically important for the Group's future because of his demonstrated leadership, which has fostered relationships of trust with the Board." Jeremy Awori, Group Chief Executive Officer, echoed these sentiments, adding, “I believe that Ayo embodies Ecobank’s renewed talent philosophy— a homegrown leader with global exposure and a compelling track record. His intellect, integrity, and impact-driven leadership have long been evident. His appointment to the Board is a testament to our belief in recognizing and elevating excellence from within.”

Mr. Awori further highlighted Adepoju's critical role in enhancing Ecobank's financial resilience and enabling sustainable business growth. "His ability to manage complexity, innovate in financial strategy, align finance with enterprise-wide transformation, and lead collaboratively has made him a critical member of our executive team. I look forward to deepening our partnership as we drive forward our Growth, Transformation, and Returns strategy," Awori stated. Adepoju's promotion is seen as a key move in driving the Group’s ambitious growth and transformation agenda across Africa.

In other developments demonstrating its commitment to its stakeholders, Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Group, has recently emphasized customer vigilance. The bank issued a warning to its customers to be cautious of scammers, particularly during periods when digital transactions might increase, such as holiday seasons.

Adeola Ogunyemi, Ecobank Nigeria's Head of Consumer Banking, highlighted that while customers can conveniently access financial services through the bank's various digital platforms, it is crucial to remain alert to fraudulent activities. This advisory aligns with Ecobank's long-standing dedication to digital transformation, which aims to enhance customer satisfaction and provide secure, alternative methods for accessing banking services.