The Board of Directors of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the Ecobank Group, has announced the appointment of Nigerian-born finance expert, Ayo Adepoju, as a Group Executive Director. The appointment took effect from Wednesday, June 5, 2025.
Prior to his new position, Adepoju served as the Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), where he played a leading role in the bank’s financial transformation, capital strategy, and sustainability-focused growth.
According to the bank’s official statement released on Friday, Adepoju’s promotion is in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the bank’s financial strength, market visibility, and internal governance since he joined Ecobank in 2012. His previous roles at the bank include Group Financial Controller, Group Head of Business Performance and Analytics, and Group CFO.
The statement highlighted his leadership in managing several strategic initiatives across the Ecobank Group, particularly in capital market transactions such as Eurobonds, Basel III-compliant instruments, and sustainability-linked debt—initiatives that have improved Ecobank’s investor engagement and international standing.
Before joining Ecobank, Adepoju worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in both London and Lagos, gaining experience in financial services auditing and advisory.
Chairman of the Ecobank Group, Papa Madiaw Ndiaye, praised Adepoju’s appointment as both “natural and strategic,” describing him as a “homegrown leader with global exposure” and an individual who embodies the group’s talent development philosophy. He added that the board’s decision reflects a commitment to recognising and promoting excellence from within the organisation.
Also speaking on the appointment, Ecobank Group CEO, Jeremy Awori, said Adepoju has been central to the bank’s financial resilience and alignment with its long-term business goals. “His ability to manage complexity, innovate in financial strategy, and lead collaboratively has made him a critical member of our executive team,” Awori said.
Adepoju holds a First-Class Honours degree from the University of Lagos. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK. He also holds an MBA from Warwick Business School and earned a PhD in Organisational Leadership from Regent University, USA.
Additionally, Adepoju has completed executive education at some of the world’s top business schools, including Wharton, London Business School, and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, which he finished in 2024.
He is a member of the Forbes Finance Council, a published author, and a respected thought leader in the areas of financial management and organisational strategy.
With his extensive experience in financial oversight, investor relations, and enterprise transformation, Adepoju’s appointment is expected to further boost Ecobank’s Growth, Transformation, and Returns (GTR) strategy, strengthening the bank’s operations across its pan-African network.
