Ecobank appoints former GTB ED as new CEO Nigeria, regional executive

Pan-African banking conglomerate, Ecobank Group, has announced the appointment of Mobolaji Lawal as regional executive and managing director designate of Ecobank Nigeria, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Lawal’s appointment, according to a statement by the bank, witnessed a keenly contested selection process, which included both internal and external candidates, following the upcoming retirement of Patrick Akinwuntan, set to reach retirement age in January 2022.

Commenting on the appointment, Ade Ayeyemi, chief executive officer (CEO), Ecobank Group, expressed optimism that the bank stands to benefit from the extensive experience that Lawal has acquired in various fields across banking, which will play a major role in continuing to rebuild its franchise in Africa’s largest economy.

“Nigeria is a key market for us, in which we have seen significant improvement over the past three years as we reposition and leverage upon our pan-African strengths in digital products and services, payments and as the go-to-bank for businesses seeking to grasp the growth opportunities being created by the AfCFTA, across all our markets on the continent. I wish Mobolaji the best and assure him of both my support and that of the entire Ecobank Group,” Ayeyemi said.

Speaking in the same vein, Bola Adesola, the chairman of the board of Ecobank Nigeria said the board, management and staff look forward to working with Lawal and assured him of their full support.

She added that the bank’s business in Nigeria is on the path of transformation, while expressing confidence that the incoming regional executive will have a significant impact in advancing the bank’s positive trajectory.

Prior to his latest appointment, Mobolaji Lawal worked as a versatile senior banking executive and digital transformation specialist for over 28 years with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. He has deep involvement and experience in digital and retail banking, corporate and commercial banking, credit risk management and corporate finance.

Lawal was a former executive director at GTBank Plc Nigeria, and also played non-executive director roles at both GTBank Ghana Limited and Nigeria Interbank Settlement Systems Plc.

Some of his prominent achievements include; leading the team that envisioned and implemented GTBank Plc retail and digital banking strategy to achieve industry-wide leadership over a ten-year period and the introduction of new products and solutions that have helped to deepen payments and access to digital financial services in Nigeria.