By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Mr Patrick Akinwuntan has been announced as the new Managing Director & Regional Executive-designate of Ecobank Nigeria
A statement issued on Thursday by the parent company of the financial institution, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) disclosed that the new chief executive is a seasoned banker with over 20 years of senior and executive management experience.
Mr Akinwuntan replaces the former occupier of the position, Mr Charles Kie, who announced his resignation few days ago.
However, the appointment of Mr Akinwuntan as the Managing Director & Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria is subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
Prior to this appointment, Patrick was the Group Executive, Consumer Banking responsible for leading the Consumer Banking business across Ecobank’s global network of 40 countries, 36 of which are in Africa.
It was disclosed in the statement made available to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) that Mr Akinwuntan has held several strategic positions for the Ecobank Group in Ghana, Togo and Nigeria. He had previously been a Group Executive Director on the Board of ETI and earlier as Executive Director in Ecobank Nigeria.
He started his career with Ecobank, in 1996 as Head of Commercial Bank and Regional Head in Ecobank Nigeria and since then he has held various senior and executive positions in Nigeria and within Ecobank Group, including Executive Director, Retail Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Group Chief Finance officer, ET’, Group Executive Director, Operations & Technology, amongst others.
Prior to joining Ecobank, Mr Akinwuntan was a General Manager, Springfountain Management Consultants, Lagos from 1993 – 1996; Deputy Manager – Corporate Finance, Credit and Marketing, Manufacturers Merchant Bank Plc, Lagos from 1991 – 1993, and was a Supervisor in Ernst & Young International (Chartered Accountants), Lagos from 1987 to 1991.
A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), the new CEO also holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. He is an alumnus of the senior executive program (SEP) of the Harvard Business school, a honorary senior member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
According to Ecobank, “In line with our leadership and business continuity procedures, the outgoing Managing Director, Charles Kie, will continue to manage Ecobank Nigeria throughout the transition period and ensure a smooth handover to Mr Akinwuntan.
“Once again, we extend our sincere gratitude to Charles Kie for his tremendous contributions to Ecobank Nigeria’s development and wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr John Aboh, has congratulated Patrick on his new appointment.
“We warmly welcome Patrick back to Ecobank Nigeria and look forward to providing him with full support from the Board. I must, once again, extend our most sincere gratitude to Charles for his tremendous contributions to Ecobank Nigeria’s development and wish him every success in his future endeavours,” Mr Aboh said in another statement made available to Business Post.
