By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A working capital lender, Zvilo, has appointed a former employee of British International Investment (BII), Mr Admir Imami, as its new full-time chief executive.

Mr Imami was the former Investment Director and Head of Trade and Supply Chain Finance at British International Investment, the United Kingdom’s Development Finance Institution.

He is expected to bring his extensive global trade finance experience and leadership to Zvilo, which is committed to bridging the $2.5 trillion global trade finance gap.

His appointment is to leverage his expertise in order to enhance and expand Zvilo’s global trade finance operations. His strategic vision and deep understanding of financial markets are expected to propel Zvilo’s mission of addressing the working capital needs of businesses across multiple regions.

With a focus on innovation and growth, Mr Imami will lead Zvilo through its next phase of development, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of delivering tailored financial solutions within an evolving geopolitical market landscape.

With over three decades of experience in lending and transformation, the new CEO has successfully built scalable direct lending businesses across various asset-based products serving the full range of entities and institutions in both developed and emerging markets.

His background includes product development, bank transformations, asset management, technology adoption, financial regulations, risk management and credit underwriting.

“We are delighted that Admir Imami is joining as our full-time CEO. His experience in developing sustainable, long-term solutions that align compliance, regulatory frameworks, and business objectives will be critical as the business scales.

“Following three years of growth, this appointment will bring a renewed and dedicated perspective and the operational excellence essential for our next phase.

“Admir’s background and expertise will help us achieve the perfect balance between innovation and operational efficiency,” a member of Zvilo’s board, Ron Boddy, stated.

“Zvilo is constructed on exceptional foundations, developed using groundbreaking technology, with a robust loan book and a strong focus on delivery and market expansion.

“My immediate objectives as CEO will include ensuring effective scaling, executing with operational excellence, and continuing to create value for our customers, employees, and investors.

“I am eager to lead a distinguished team of finance, operations, technology, and regional experts and partners as we embark on the next chapter of Zvilo’s growth,” Mr Imami, enthused.

While at BII, Mr Imami successfully built a trade finance business from scratch with commitments of over $2 billion and limits to over 380 issuing banks all supporting trade transactions in the amount of $30bn in Africa and South Asia.

He was also instrumental in establishing BII’s first Supply Chain Facility with global banking partner Standard Chartered Bank and in broadening BII’s mandate to encompass a wide range of trade finance asset classes.

Prior to that, he was co-founder and CEO of Advance Global Capital (AGC), a global impact trade finance investment manager among other professional posts he has held during his long international career.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has appointed 16 new directors across key departments in the apex bank as it moves to consolidate its modern operations.

These appointments, which took effect from March 3, affect crucial departments in the apex bank, including Monetary Policy, Trade and Exchange, Banking Supervision, Payment Systems, and Consumer Protection, among others.

These changes are coming as Nigeria continues to targets a $1 trillion economy spurred by constant evolution in the global financial space.

Speaking some months ago, the Governor of the CBN, Mr Yemi Cardoso, said the apex bank has been given a core mandate towards playing a crucial role in reaching the goal.

Already, banking institutions are raising capital ahead of March 2026 deadline to prevent against failures and shocks.

Also, digital payments have caught on in the last five years with fintechs rivalling traditional banks for talent and service offerings.

The appointments will help position the lender— and the country— towards proper regulations and will help institute the necessary regulations in one of the country’s most important sector.

This is the list of the newly appointed directors at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN):

1. Dr. Olubukola Akinwunmi Akinniyi – Director, Banking Supervision.

2. Yusuf Rakiya Opeyemi – Director, Payment System Supervision.

3. Aisha Isa-Olatinwo – Director, Consumer Protection.

4. Abdullahi Hamisu – Director, Banking Services.

5. Dr. OJumu Adenike Olubunmi – Director, Medical Services.

6. Mr. Makinde Kayode Olanrewaju – Director, Procurement & Support Services.

7. Mrs. Jide-Samuel Omoyemen Avbasowamen – Director, Information Technology.

8. Mrs. Sike Rita Ijeoma – Director, Financial Policy and Regulation.

9. Dr. Victor Ugbem Oboh – Director, Monetary Policy.

10. Mr. Nakorji Musa – Director, Trade and Exchange.

11. Dr. Vincent Monsurat Modesola – Director, Strategy Management and Innovation.

12. Mr. Farouk Mujtaba Muhammad – Director, Reserve Management.

13. Dr. Adetona Sikiru Adedeji – Director, Currency Operations and Branch Management.

14. Mr. Hassan Ibrahim Umar – Director, Development and Finance Institutions Supervision.

15. Mr. Solaja Mohammed-Jamiu Olayemi – Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision.

16. Dr. Okpanachi Usman Mose – Director, Statistics.

By Dipo Olowookere

Mr Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi has been appointed as the substantive Accountant General of the Federation, replacing Mrs Oluwatoyin Madehin.

Mr Ogunjimi was picked to fill the position by President Bola Tinubu, a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Tuesday.

The appointment, according to him, will take effect from Friday, March 7, 2025, the same day Mrs Madehin will retire from the civil service.

It was disclosed that the appointment of a new accountant general for the country followed “a rigorous selection process.”

Mr Onanuga said in the statement that the 57-year-old appointee, who was first named as Mrs Madehin’s successor last December, was chosen by a selection committee after a competitive, rigorous, and merit-based process involving Directors of Accounts in the Federal Civil Service.

The panel conducted the process through three stages: a written assessment, an ICT proficiency test, and oral interviews, underscoring Mr Tinubu’s commitment to promoting transparency, excellence, and competence in key public service positions.

Mr Ogunjimi graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. He also obtained a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Lagos.

He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

President Tinubu, who congratulated Mr Ogunjimi on his appointment, urged him to discharge his duties in the service of Nigeria with integrity, professionalism, and dedication to Nigeria’s service.