Polaris Bank announces new board appointments

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has constituted a full Board of Directors for Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s leading digital commercial retail Bank in a major transition that signals the remarkable achievements of the new management and the future of the Bank.

The 10-man board is headed by Dr Kassim Gidado as Board Chairman. Other Non-Executive Directors include: Dr. Akwa Effiong Okon, Mallam Ambursa Abubakar Umar, Mrs Ayaba M. Ayo-Joseph, Mrs Giwa-Amu Subulade Ibironke and Dr Onosode Christopher.

Mr Kayode Lawal, MD/CEO of the Bank said the diverse expertise and experience of the new board members would further enrich on-going strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening their position as a leading digital bank

“These appointments mark a significant step in Polaris Bank’s journey towards achieving sustained growth and delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders.”

Dr Kassim Gidado, the new Board Chairman, is an academic with over 35 years of experience in the fields of Engineering, Project Management and Strategic Development. He has held prestigious roles, including Group Managing Director and Chief of Staff at MAG Group Limited where he managed a diverse portfolio of companies across 35 countries.

Dr Akwa Effiong Okon is an accomplished professional with a rich educational background, including attending the Senior Executive Programme on Strategy, Leadership and Transformation at the London Business School. He holds fellowships with both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Mallam Ambursa Abubakar Umar is an expert in Enterprise Transformation and Development Finance with over 30 years of experience in the banking industry, including a distinguished tenure at the CBN.

Mrs Ayaba Ayo-Joseph has over three decades of experience in the banking industry. A member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), she brings to the Board as a Non-Executive Director a wealth of experience in Corporate Management, Business Development, and Strategy Execution.

Mrs Giwa-Amu SubuladeIbironke, a Lawyer by training, holds an MBA degree from the University of Warwick, UK and brings over 27 years of experience in financial services, real estate investment & development and business process re-engineering across the West African region to the Polaris Bank Board.

Dr Onosode Christopher holds a doctorate in Economics and energy major from Kent University, UK. He joins the Board with over 30 years of experience in business systems analysis and design, strategy and operations, project management and policy analysis.

Mr Kayode Lawal is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in the banking industry. Prior to his appointment with Polaris Bank, he had a distinguished tenure at Sterling Bank Plc, where he held the position of Executive Director in charge of Corporate & Investment Banking.

Mr Chris Ofikulu is the Executive Director in charge of Retail and Commercial Banking for the bank. He 30 years experience in the banking sector. Prior to his appointment by the CBN on January 10, 2024, he held the position of Country CEO at UBA Ghana and Managing Director at Diamond Pension Fund Custodian Limited.

Mrs Abimbola Ozomah is the Executive Director in charge of Corporate and Investment Banking. She brings over three decades of experience in the banking and financial services industry, with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation.

Mr Sharafadeen Muhammed is the Executive Director in charge of Operations of the Bank. With over 15 years of experience in high-level finance roles, including a notable tenure at Citibank Nigeria, he has demonstrated strong strategic insight and financial acumen.

The new Board is also a subtle endorsement of the silent but admirable business re-engineering being done by the KayodeLawal-led executive management.